Powering Homes news, page 66
- November 2023
MCS reported planned Benchmark Online and MID integration
MCS has reported that Benchmark Online and the MCS Installations Database will be integrated, giving heat pump installers a single point of data entry for commissioning and certification.
Mixergy announces the Cube X cylinder
Mixergy has announced the Cube X, a compact smart cylinder for heating and hot water that the company says will need no G3 unvented certification and is due to arrive soon.
GGF reports 98% of homes losing energy through underperforming windows
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK homes are losing energy through underperforming windows, in research published on its environmental hub.
GGF reports 98% of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today
The Glass and Glazing Federation says 98 per cent of UK windows would fail current standards if installed today, and puts the annual saving from replacing pre-2002 windows at up to £4.1 billion.
Alpha launches ProTec NX high output boiler range
Alpha has launched the ProTec NX, a wall-hung high output gas boiler range in six models from 48kW to 180kW, replacing its former ProTec Plus range for larger homes and commercial premises.
Citizens Advice published its response to the Ofgem consultation on an additional debt allowance
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that its consultation on an extra debt allowance in the retail price cap does not show that current funding for debt-related costs is inadequate.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Navien UK introduces Combi Crossover boiler type
Navien UK has introduced the Combi Crossover, a boiler it describes as combining system boiler performance with the cylinder-less advantages of a compact combi, set out in its November 2023 boiler guidance.
Consumer Scotland publishes briefing on winter energy bill support options ahead of the Autumn Statement
Consumer Scotland has published a briefing on options for targeted winter energy bill support, arguing for help through the prepayment meter Energy Price Guarantee and setting out drawbacks of the Warm Home Discount in Scotland.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandEnergy SuppliersGrants and Schemes
Which? launches priority places for insulation index and calls for insulation support for vulnerable households
Which? has published an index scoring all 650 UK constituencies for insulation need and called on the government to ensure support reaches fuel poor and vulnerable households.
EDF completes acquisition of heat pump installer CB Heating
EDF has completed its acquisition of air source heat pump installer CB Heating, following a 2022 strategic investment, saying it will cut customer journey times and train more installers.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Ecodan R290 heat pump
Mitsubishi Electric has launched the Ecodan R290 heat pump, a propane-refrigerant model built at its Livingston factory in Scotland and announced on 13 November 2023.
Which? warns cheap appliances can carry high running costs
Which? has published test-based annual running costs showing that some low-priced appliances, including a £7 kettle costing £50.74 a year to run, can cost more to run than the average model.
Energy IndependenceEnergy Bills and the Price CapWhere to Start
Good Energy launches Power Pause demand flexibility scheme
Good Energy has joined National Grid's Demand Flexibility Service for winter 2023, inviting eligible smart meter customers to register for its Power Pause scheme and earn bill credit for cutting peak-time electricity use.
Ofgem prepayment installation rules become licence conditions
Ofgem's Code of Practice on involuntary prepayment meter installation became a mandatory supply licence condition on 8 November 2023, extending protections to more households and covering remote smart meter switches.
Hypervolt releases V5 mobile app in full
Hypervolt has fully released version 5 of its mobile app, a ground-up rewrite adding a redesigned interface, home generation estimates, dark mode and a new Bluetooth stack.
MCS announces Data Dashboard Phase 2 for early 2024
MCS has announced a second phase of its Data Dashboard for early 2024, adding contractor numbers, battery storage uptake and month-by-month timelines to the free public platform.
OVO and Hypervolt announce home charging partnership
Hypervolt chargers are now offered through OVO's turnkey EV charging service, with the Charge Anytime rate of 7p/kWh available now and full integration planned for spring 2024.
Measure grading updated: battery storage and solar PV moved to A, charity exemption added
Delivery guidance for the Home Upgrade Grant was updated on 6 November 2023, moving battery storage and solar PV to grade A and exempting charities from the private rented sector four-property cap.
No repeat of universal £400 energy payment this winter
The UK Energy Research Centre says no repeat of last winter's universal £400 payment has been promised, with the price cap at £1,834 until 31 December.
Ofgem price cap set at £1,834 for winter 2023/24
Ofgem's price cap for a typical direct debit household stands at £1,834 a year until 31 December 2023, with the next level set from 1 January 2024.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
SSEN restores power to almost 25,000 customers after Storm Ciarán
SSEN restored power to almost 25,000 customers in central southern England after Storm Ciarán, with around 2,000 still off supply at noon on 2 November 2023 and the network at Yellow Alert.
Beta launch of Get a Heat Pump website
Nesta launched a beta version of the Get a Heat Pump website in November 2023 to test the tool with real users, and later worked with The MCS Foundation to develop it further.
Campaigners call on Chancellor for Emergency Energy Tariff and Help To Repay scheme
Health, poverty, housing and environmental organisations and academics have written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging an Emergency Energy Tariff and a Help To Repay scheme for households in energy debt.
Changes to solar permitted development rights introduced
The government changed solar permitted development rights in November 2023, following a February 2023 consultation, as part of a wider package on adapting historic homes for energy efficiency.
Coalition writes to Secretary of State urging leadership on prepayment meters scandal
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho urging a legislative ban on forced prepayment meters, an extension of Ofgem's ban to April 2024 and heightened monitoring of Scottish Power.
Rules and RegulationSmart MetersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opens
The Cold Weather Payment scheme for 2023 to 2024 opened in November 2023, paying £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather in England and Wales until 31 March 2024.
New design standard for domestic connections comes into effect in Northern Ireland
NIE Networks has brought in a new design standard for domestic connections in Northern Ireland from 1 November 2023, allowing new connections to support higher capacity for heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers.
Emergency Energy Tariff proposals presented to Government
Proposals for an Emergency Energy Tariff, using the Energy Price Guarantee mechanism, were presented to Government to ease the energy bills crisis in winter 2023/24.
Energy UK publishes analysis on cost of heat market inertia
Energy UK analysis published on 1 November 2023 finds that a two-year delay to heat pump rollout would mean 2.9 million fewer heat pumps by 2030 and £3 billion more gas imports between 2026 and 2030.
F-rated products being removed from market under new EU regulations
Hisense has confirmed that F-rated appliances are being withdrawn from the market under new EU rules, with its RB327N4WW1 fridge freezer to be replaced by an E-rated model.