Powering Homes News: page 65
- November 2023
Survey finds 29% of UK population experiences mould at home
Research for the Warm This Winter campaign found 29% of UK adults, about 15.4 million people, experience mould at home frequently or occasionally, with 10% affected frequently.
Warm Homes Network pilot launches in Cumbria
A fuel poverty initiative bringing utilities, charities, councils and technology firms together began a Cumbria pilot in November 2023, supporting up to 100 vulnerable households, after an earlier Birmingham pilot.
- October 2023
Safestyle enters administration and FENSA suspends its approval
Safestyle announced on 30 October 2023 that it had gone into administration, and FENSA suspended the firm as a FENSA Approved Installer the same day.
SSEN Distribution moves to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Ciarán
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 30 October 2023 and then to Yellow Alert on 31 October, standing up extra teams ahead of Storm Ciarán's forecast 70mph coastal gusts.
Utilita Power Payback service starts
Utilita told customers its Power Payback service would begin on 30 October 2023, paying them for cutting electricity use during notified events.
Ofgem accepts remedial actions offered by CES and CESS
Ofgem has accepted remedial actions from Community Energy Scheme UK and Community Energy Scheme Stoke over sales practices, contracts and billing, and has now closed its investigation.
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings progress report 2023
The Scottish Government's 2023 Heat in Buildings progress report records £170 million of capital investment through delivery schemes and confirms a consultation on a Heat in Buildings Bill.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended by 3 years to 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme will pay £7,500 towards a heat pump from today and now runs to 2028, three years longer than planned, the government has announced.
Octopus Energy launches Octoplus rewards scheme
Octopus Energy has launched Octoplus, a rewards scheme that lets eligible smart meter customers earn Octopoints through demand flexibility and account activity and redeem them for credit.
Off-gas-grid fossil fuel heating ban delayed to 2035
The government has delayed its ban on installing oil, LPG and new coal heating in off-gas-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants to £7,500.
Ofgem announces price cap fall for October 2023
Wholesale prices fell below the level of the Energy Price Guarantee, and the price cap was set to fall to £1,923 in October 2023, a Commons Library briefing has noted.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationStatistics
Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign launched
The government has launched the Welcome Home to Energy Efficiency campaign and raised Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants to £7,500, while delaying the off-gas-grid fossil fuel boiler ban to 2035.
Which? responds to government's improved heat pump grant and energy efficiency campaign launch
Which? has welcomed the government's increase to heat pump grants and the launch of a home energy efficiency awareness campaign, saying cost and low awareness hold consumers back.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50% to £7,500
Air source heat pump grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose from £5,000 to £7,500 and ground source grants from £6,000 to £7,500 from 23 October 2023, with the scheme extended to 2028.
CREDS publishes preprint on energy impacts of cost-of-living crisis on British households
A CREDS preprint reports that British households used 8.4% less electricity and 10.8% less gas in winter 2022-23 than the winter before, yet still faced bills around £34 a month higher.
SSEN restores power to 37,000 customers after Storm Babet
SSEN has restored power to 37,000 customers after Storm Babet, fixing more than 450 faults, but around 150 flooded properties in Brechin cannot yet be reconnected safely.
Public Accounts Committee publishes report on delayed smart meter rollout
The Public Accounts Committee has published a report finding the smart meter rollout has missed its targets, may benefit wealthier consumers more, and needs a strategy review.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments
Citizens Advice has told the government it welcomes the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift but opposes cuts to grants for some households and wants the scheme's overall budget clarified.
Ember analysis says clean power system would save UK households £300 a year by 2030
Ember analysis published on 18 October 2023 says meeting the government's 2030 clean power targets would cut UK household electricity bills by £300 a year and save the economy £8.7 billion annually.
National Insulation Association submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it backs a separate fabric rating on reformed EPCs, a five-year validity period and wider installer choice for Home Energy Scotland funding.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandInsulation and Glazing
Ofgem decides to modify supply licence conditions on consumer standards
Ofgem has confirmed new supply licence conditions requiring energy suppliers to make contact easier and support customers struggling with bills, taking effect from 14 December 2023.
Hypervolt opens limited beta of mobile app v5.0.0 for iOS and Android
Hypervolt has opened a limited beta of version 5.0.0 of its mobile app for iOS and Android, rebuilt from the ground up, ahead of a planned full public release in the coming weeks.
Pensioners to get up to £600 Winter Fuel Payment this year
The British Gas Energy Trust has set out Winter Fuel Payment amounts of £250 to £600 for older people across the UK, including an extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of £150 to £300.
Sigenergy launches SigenStor in the UK at Solar & Storage Live 2023
Sigenergy unveiled SigenStor, a five-in-one home and commercial energy storage system, to a British audience at Solar & Storage Live 2023 in Birmingham on 17 October 2023.
SGN launches energy efficiency tool with Energy Saving Trust
SGN has launched an energy efficiency tool developed with the Energy Saving Trust that gives households a personalised action plan and could save an average of £110 a year on bills.
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for applications
The Warm Home Discount opened for applications on 16 October 2023 for households in Great Britain that must apply to their supplier or prove eligibility, as National Energy Action warned of repeat missed payments.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation closes
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation closed on 12 October 2023 with 205 responses, and the government set out its decisions on grant levels and eligibility in March 2024.
Changeworks and Melville Housing Association install external wall insulation in Penicuik
Changeworks has overseen external wall insulation at two Melville Housing Association properties in Penicuik, part of a wider programme targeting 75 homes in Midlothian.
Energy Systems Catapult submits response to Scottish Government EPC reform consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, proposing three outcome-focused metrics in place of the current system.
Ofgem announces energy debt at highest ever level of £2.6 billion
Ofgem has reported household energy debt of £2.6 billion, the highest level on record, prompting National Energy Action to call for a Help to Repay scheme and an enduring social tariff.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation