Powering Homes news, page 61
- February 2024
Relevant charitable purpose definition inserted
The definition of a relevant charitable purpose has been inserted into the VAT rules for installing energy-saving materials, taking effect from 1 February 2024.
The Renewable Technology Collective achieves MCS certification
The Renewable Technology Collective, a Scottish heat pump installer working across Angus, Tayside and Aberdeenshire, became MCS-certified for air source heat pumps in February 2024, a process its founder says took two months.
VAT ESM relief reforms to be implemented on 1 February 2024
The government has confirmed it will expand VAT relief on energy-saving materials from 1 February 2024, adding electrical battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters across the whole United Kingdom.
Which? carries out EPC mystery shopping research
Which? sent 12 members for home energy assessments in February and March 2024 and found that eight of the 11 completed cases did not appear accurate.
- January 2024
Keston Boilers issues safety notice for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024
Keston Boilers has issued a safety notice for ten boiler ranges made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024, with a free engineer-fitted safety upgrade for affected homes.
Minimum Supply Prices from 1 February 2024 added
Government guidance for heat network support under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme was updated on 31 January 2024 to set out the Minimum Supply Prices applying from 1 February 2024.
VAT relief extended to charitable purpose buildings, water source heat pumps, battery storage and Smart diverters
From 1 February 2024 VAT relief on energy-saving materials was extended to charitable purpose buildings, water source heat pumps, electrical battery storage, smart diverters and associated groundworks.
Council of the European Union adopts revised F-gas regulation
The Council of the European Union adopted a revised F-gas regulation on 29 January 2024, phasing down fluorinated gases used in heat pumps, air conditioners, fridges and some medicines.
MCS to exhibit at Everything Electric UK events for the first time
MCS will exhibit at all three Everything Electric UK events in 2024 for the first time, sharing an Energy Advice Stand with OVO to discuss small-scale renewables and certification.
NEA and EAS launch UK Fuel Poverty Monitor warning 3 million English households will remain in fuel poverty by 2030
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland warn that three million English households will still be in fuel poverty by 2030, with an £18 billion funding gap identified in their UK Fuel Poverty Monitor.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status for north of Scotland ahead of 31 January winds
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status for the north of Scotland on 29 January 2024, then upgraded to Yellow Alert on 30 January, ahead of very strong winds forecast for Wednesday 31 January.
MCS 020 consultation closes with 55 responses
MCS has published its response to a consultation on the MCS 020 sound standard for air source heat pumps, which closed on 26 January 2024 with 55 responses.
Warm This Winter releases third Tariff Watch report on standing charges
Warm This Winter's third Tariff Watch report identifies 14 obscure charges inside the Ofgem price cap that it says have pushed electricity standing charges up 119 per cent since winter 2020/21.
SSEN restores power to 35,000 homes after Storm Isha
SSEN restored power to 35,000 homes in central southern England after Storm Isha, as the network operator prepared for Storm Jocelyn and set out compensation for affected customers.
Storm Jocelyn forecast to disrupt SSEN network
SSEN restored power to more than 36,000 homes after Storm Isha and warned that Storm Jocelyn is expected to disrupt its network through Tuesday and Wednesday.
Grant UK launches EvoLink Hybrid System Hub
Grant UK has made the EvoLink Hybrid System Hub available, a wall-mounted unit that combines an Aerona³ heat pump with an existing fossil fuel boiler in one heating system.
SSEN maintains yellow alert for north of Scotland ahead of Storm Jocelyn
SSEN keeps its yellow alert for the north of Scotland as Storm Jocelyn is forecast to bring 75mph gusts overnight, while crews finish reconnecting 370 properties left without power by Storm Isha.
Which? ranks British Gas worst energy firm overall in annual survey
Which? has ranked British Gas bottom of its annual energy firm survey with an overall score of 56 per cent, while naming Octopus Energy, Ecotricity and E (Gas & Electricity) as Recommended Providers.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status for central southern England
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status for central southern England on 18 January 2024, warning of gusts of 55 to 60mph from Sunday night into Monday morning.
£16m fund opens for West Midlands homeowners to pay for energy efficiency improvements
The West Midlands Combined Authority has opened a £16 million Home Upgrade Grant fund giving eligible off-gas-grid homeowners in four council areas grants of up to £18,000 for insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.
Hypervolt releases app version 5.1 with PDF report downloads and troubleshooting guide
Hypervolt has begun rolling out version 5.1 of its charger app, adding direct PDF downloads of consumption reports and an in-app troubleshooting guide for connection problems.
NEA publishes response to additional debt-related costs allowance policy consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the consultation on an additional debt-related costs allowance, saying record market debt and arrears of £2.6bn show households are falling behind on energy costs.
Rules and RegulationWhere to StartEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
NEA publishes response to prepayment meter standing charges consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to the statutory consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, restating its long-standing call to remove payment premiums.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationWhere to Start
Nesta Impact Investments invests £2 million in heat pump provider Aira
Nesta Impact Investments has put £2 million into heat pump and clean energy service Aira, as part of the company's €145 million Series B financing round announced on 16 January 2024.
Rinnai announced a new product launch programme
Rinnai has set out a launch programme running through the first quarter of 2024, covering low-GWP heat pumps, electric water heaters, hot water cylinders and plate heat exchangers.
Publication of Air Source Heat Pump Noise & Permitted Development Rights in Wales reports (phase 1 & 2)
The Welsh Government has published two reports on air source heat pump noise and permitted development rights, examining whether the current three-metre boundary rule should change.
Rules and RegulationHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Treasury makes the VAT (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order 2024
The Treasury has widened the temporary zero rate of VAT on installing energy-saving materials to cover water source heat pumps, certain batteries and smart diverters from 1st February 2024.
Nesta publishes report on how much insulation UK houses really need
Nesta has published a report arguing that insulation is not a prerequisite for heat pumps and proposing that 13 million homes reach EPC C by 2030 at a cost of around £60 billion.
Zapmap publishes record 2023 EV charging statistics
Zapmap's year-end figures show UK public charging points grew 45 per cent in 2023, with ultra-rapid devices up 112 per cent and charging hubs up 145 per cent.
Leeds City Council launches Home Upgrade Grant scheme with Everwarm
Leeds City Council has opened a Home Upgrade Grant scheme with Everwarm, offering free energy upgrades to eligible off-gas homeowners and a two-thirds discount to landlords, backed by £15.5 million that expires in March 2025.