Powering Homes news, page 62
- January 2024
Grant UK launches the Aerona Smart Controller
Grant UK has launched the Aerona Smart Controller, a weather compensated controller for its Aerona³ heat pump range that adds remote monitoring, app access and per-zone heating curve configuration.
Weather warning for central southern England with damaging winds forecast
SSEN activated contingency plans and added teams ahead of gusts forecast above 55mph inland and 60mph on coasts and high ground across central southern England on 2 January 2024.
Boiler manufacturers raise wholesale prices ahead of Clean Heat Market Mechanism
Five boiler manufacturers raised wholesale prices by £95 to £120 in January 2024 in response to the proposed Clean Heat Market Mechanism, then returned the money after the scheme was delayed.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant rise to £7,500 drives applications up nearly 39%
Ofgem's eighth Boiler Upgrade Scheme quarterly report shows 6,835 voucher applications between February and April 2024, after the heat pump grant rose to £7,500 in October 2023.
Coalition members call for social tariff in Spring Budget
End Fuel Poverty Coalition members called in January 2024 for a social tariff to be included in that year's Spring Budget, as part of a long-running campaign for energy tariff reform.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem's Standing Charges Call for Input
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that moving standing charges onto unit rates in isolation would hit Scottish, disabled and electric heating households hardest, and that the regulator's own modelling does not justify the change.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Daikin Multi+ system launched in the UK
Daikin's Multi+ system, which provides heating, cooling and hot water from one outdoor unit, reached the UK in 2024 after being available in Europe, according to a Daikin case study.
Eight suppliers cleared to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations
Eight energy suppliers met Ofgem's criteria to restart involuntary prepayment meter installations from January 2024, after the practice was suspended in February 2023.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates 4,950 excess winter deaths caused by cold homes in winter 2022/23
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has raised its estimate of excess winter deaths caused by cold homes in the UK in winter 2022/23 to 4,950, up from 4,706, after new official data.
UK energy debt reported at just under £3 billion
The British Gas Energy Trust has reported that the UK is in just under £3 billion of energy debt, as the price cap rose about 5 per cent on 1 January 2024.
Energy National Policy Statements came into effect
The energy National Policy Statements were designated and came into effect in January 2024, with solar infrastructure treated as a Critical National Priority for nationally significant low carbon infrastructure.
New UK-EU Rules of Origin scheduled to begin
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that tougher UK-EU Rules of Origin begin on 1 January 2024, with electric vehicles traded both ways facing possible tariffs.
Extended battery warranty for EV models registered from 1 January 2024
Kia's UK model pages state that high-voltage battery warranty cover for its electric models registered from 1 January 2024 runs to 8 years or 100,000 miles.
First suppliers restart involuntary PPM activity
Ofgem has confirmed that the first energy suppliers restarted involuntary prepayment meter installations in January 2024, after independent audits verified they met strengthened rules introduced in November 2023.
Good Energy launches Export Only tariff
Good Energy launched Export Only in January 2024, a 4p per kWh export tariff open to any household with a smart meter and a certified renewable installation, without requiring a Good Energy import deal.
UK Government to introduce zero-emission vehicle mandate
The UK Government has committed to a zero-emission vehicle mandate from 1 January 2024, extended to Northern Ireland by ministerial agreement, setting annual zero-emission sales targets for manufacturers.
Government withdrawal notice issued for UPP e-bike battery
A Government withdrawal notice issued in January 2024 told Amazon, eBay and Alibaba that UPP e-bike batteries U004 and U004-1 pose a serious risk of fire, and listings have since been found on Facebook Marketplace.
Issuance of accelerated connection contracts for 10 GW of BESS
The Electricity System Operator issued connection contracts with accelerated dates for 21 battery storage projects totalling 10 GW at the start of 2024, it has reported.
ivie launches Future of Energy series with Solar 101 guide
ivie has launched a Future of Energy series of home energy guides, beginning with a free Solar 101 download and followed by a second guide on battery storage.
Octopus Energy launches UK's first vehicle-to-grid tariff
Octopus Energy launched Octopus Power Pack, described as the UK's first vehicle-to-grid tariff, at the beginning of 2024, following a vehicle-to-grid trial with National Grid ESO in 2022.
Ofgem energy price cap to rise by 5% from January 2024
Ofgem's energy price cap rises 5% from 1 January 2024, taking a typical household bill from £1,834 to £1,928 a year, with prepayment and cash or cheque customers paying more.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Ofgem price cap from January 2024 puts EPC band F gas bills £415 above band C
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds gas bills in EPC band F homes will average £415 a year more than band C homes under Ofgem's price cap from January 2024.
Ofgem price cap rises in January 2024
A quarterly Tariff Watch report from the Warm This Winter coalition says 14 obscure charges, passed through standing charges, are keeping electricity bills at record levels after January's price cap rise.
Price cap expected to rise around 1% in January 2024
Cornwall Insight expects the Ofgem price cap to rise by around 1% in January 2024 after European gas prices rose again, taking a typical annual bill to about £1,932.
Price cap increases on 1 January 2024
National Energy Action marked the 1 January 2024 price cap rise by saying 6.1 million UK households are now in fuel poverty, 1.6 million more than when the energy crisis began.
Energy Bills and the Price CapWhere to StartYour Type of Home
Recall issued for Komodo Heat Mats due to electric shock risk
Electrical Safety First has recalled five models of Komodo Heat Mats, citing a risk of electric shock from overheating when the products are not used in accordance with the instructions.
Record month for prepayment meter top-up help
Citizens Advice helped a record number of people who could not afford to top up their prepayment meter in January 2024, with energy debt also at record levels.
Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme stopped funding new measures
The Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme has not funded new measures since January 2024, with its funding due to end in 2026, according to the Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings progress report.
Sunsave Plus subscription model launched
Sunsave launched Sunsave Plus, a solar subscription with no upfront cost, at the beginning of 2024, offering installation, financing and maintenance through one company under a 20-year guarantee.
Water company PSR registrations after this date flow to energy networks and suppliers
From 1 January 2024, households that join a water company's Priority Services Register have their details passed automatically to energy networks and suppliers, removing the need for a second registration.