Powering Homes news, page 65
- December 2023
Version 2.4 of the BUS property owner guidance issued
Ofgem has issued version 2.4 of its Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance for property owners, adding paragraphs on new digital cancel and re-apply and file upload features.
Warm Home Discount scheme confirmed to run until at least March 2026
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run until at least March 2026, a further three winters, and more suppliers must now take part in the £150 scheme.
Warm Home Discount scheme extended to smaller energy suppliers
The customer threshold for compulsory participation in the Warm Home Discount has been cut from 50,000 to 1,000, bringing smaller energy suppliers into the scheme from this winter.
White Goods Scheme launched as a pilot in England and Wales
The British Gas Energy Trust has reported that its White Goods Scheme, piloted in England and Wales from December 2023, has supported an estimated 19,435 people across Britain.
Zero rating for BESS installation announced in December 2023
VAT on domestic battery energy storage systems was cut to zero from 1 February 2024, following a December 2023 announcement and a campaign by Solar Energy UK and parliamentarians.
- November 2023
Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after grant increased to £7,500
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme reached 1,150 in the first week after the grant rose to £7,500, more than three times the previous weekly average, the government said on 30 November 2023.
Consultation planned on permitted development rights for heat pumps in England
The government has confirmed it will consult on new permitted development rights to end the blanket one metre boundary restriction on heat pumps in England, alongside figures showing Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
Contact Solar Black Friday solar panel sale ends
Contact Solar's Black Friday solar panel promotion, offering up to £1,000 off solar PV systems and other discounts, closed on 30 November 2023 after running through the month.
Government announces amendments to permitted development rights for solar panels
Amendments to permitted development rights announced on 30 November 2023 widen where solar panels can be installed in England without full planning permission, including domestic flat roofs and larger commercial arrays.
Government confirms Clean Heat Market Mechanism plans
The government has confirmed a Clean Heat Market Mechanism for launch in 2025 and reported that Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications tripled after the grant rose to £7,500.
UK Government heat pump noise research findings published
Research into air source heat pump noise emissions was published on 30 November 2023, prompting a consultation on changes to the MCS-020 noise assessment standard.
MCS opens consultation on MCS 020 planning standard
MCS has opened a consultation on its MCS 020 planning standard for air source heat pumps, proposing changes to solid barrier definitions, background noise assumptions and location guidance, with comments due by 26 January 2024.
New permitted development rights announced for rooftop solar
The government has announced changes to permitted development rights so that more homes and businesses can install rooftop solar panels without planning permission, including flat roofs and industrial sites.
Which? publishes Priority Places for Insulation Index mapping UK insulation need
Which? has published an interactive index ranking UK local areas by home insulation need, fuel poverty and the availability of insulation installers, with 13.3 million households estimated to need loft insulation.
Bristol City Council publishes V.3.1 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme Flex
Bristol City Council has published version 3.1 of its flexible eligibility Statement of Intent for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, setting out four routes and seven proxies for identifying eligible households.
Heat Pump Association releases landmark heat pump deployment report
The Heat Pump Association has published a report setting out policy recommendations to speed up heat pump adoption in the UK, citing efficiency and emissions figures and the 600,000-a-year installation ambition.
Heat in Buildings Bill consultation opens
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, setting out plans to regulate the heating systems and energy efficiency of homes and other buildings.
SSEN completes £3.9 million Netley Common network upgrade
SSEN has completed a £3.9 million rebuild of the Netley Common electricity network near Southampton, begun in December 2021, with a further £3 million project proposed for early 2025.
Mixergy announces Heat Pump Interface v2
Mixergy has announced version two of its heat pump interface, which it says improves integration between its hot water cylinders and heat pumps and simplifies installation by using the heat pump's existing thermal probe.
Myenergi warranty v2.0 applies to products purchased from 24 November 2023
Myenergi has published warranty version 2.0 covering zappi, zappi Pedestal, eddi, harvi, hub and libbi products bought on or after 24 November 2023, with periods from 12 months to 10 years.
Prepayment meter regional rates for January to March 2024 added
The government has published Energy Price Guarantee regional unit rates and standing charges for prepayment meters covering January to March 2024, the final quarter of the scheme.
Energy Bill Support Scheme ends
The government's £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme has ended, with analysis published the same day finding poorly insulated homes will pay over £400 more to heat than homes at the government's efficiency target.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapRules and Regulation
Government announced consultation on removing the one metre boundary requirement for air source heat pumps
The government said at the Autumn Statement on 23 November 2023 that it would consult on removing the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps under permitted development rights.
UK Government announces consultation on changing Permitted Development Rights in England
The UK Government will consult on changing Permitted Development Rights in England, including removing the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps, under plans announced at the Autumn Statement.
Ofgem to announce January 2024 unit rates
Which? has said its published appliance running costs will be updated once Ofgem announces January 2024 unit rates, with those rates and the running costs expected to rise.
Ofgem publishes updated default tariff cap levels for 1 January to 31 March 2024
Ofgem has set the default tariff cap for 1 January to 31 March 2024, raising the dual fuel direct debit level to £1,928, a 5% increase on the previous quarter.
Statutory Consultation on levelling standing charges published
Ofgem has published a statutory consultation to level standing charges so prepayment and direct debit customers pay the same daily charge, alongside a price cap rise of 5% from January 2024.
BEAMA publishes briefing on delivering smart meters
BEAMA has published a briefing on delivering smart meters, setting out recommendations for government and suppliers on the rollout, flexible pricing and consumer trust.
BEAMA publishes Delivering low carbon heat policy document
BEAMA has published a policy document arguing that electrified heating, smart controls, insulation and reform of electricity costs are needed to decarbonise the UK's 28 million homes.
Green Heat Finance Taskforce publishes part 1 report
The independent Green Heat Finance Taskforce has published part one of its report, setting out finance options for Scottish property owners to cover the upfront cost of replacing polluting heating with clean heat.