Powering Homes News: page 66
- October 2023
Ofgem opens policy consultation on additional debt-related costs allowance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether to add a temporary allowance to the price cap for extra debt-related costs, proposing a float from April 2024 and a later true-up.
Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment published by Energy UK
Energy UK, Citizens Advice and Ofgem have published a Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment, signed by fourteen domestic suppliers, setting out extra support for customers in payment difficulty from October 2023 to March 2024.
NIE Networks announces change to design standard for new domestic connections
NIE Networks will introduce a higher-capacity design standard for new domestic connections from 1 November 2023, after a consultation on accommodating electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice publishes Heat GB network costs research
Citizens Advice research by LCP Delta finds electrification has the lowest network costs in 10 of 12 Great British archetypes, with hydrogen cheapest in the remaining two.
EPC reform consultation closes with 323 responses
The Scottish Government's consultation on reforming Energy Performance Certificates closed in October 2023 with 323 responses, 122 from organisations and 201 from individuals.
MCS announced plans to redevelop oversight of the low-carbon sector
MCS has appointed Brian Wright as its first Group Finance Director and set out plans to redevelop its oversight of consumer protection, quality and compliance across the low-carbon sector.
MCS publishes outcome of scheme redevelopment consultation
MCS has published the outcome of its consultation on redeveloping the certification scheme, confirming new documents before the end of 2023 and a relaunch in summer 2024.
NIBE launches S735 Exhaust Air Heat Pump
NIBE has launched the S735 Exhaust Air Heat Pump, an all-in-one unit for heating, hot water and ventilation, with an A+++ rating and a published SCOP of 4.29.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes Data for Good, Smart Meter Data Access report
Energy Systems Catapult and the Data Communications Company have published a report calling for faster access to smart meter data, with four recommendations to change how that data is governed.
Ofgem reschedules wholesale cost review consultation and delays possible cap adjustment to April 2024
Ofgem has pushed back its follow-up consultation on wholesale cost allowances in the default tariff cap to late November or early December, delaying any cap adjustment to April 2024 at the earliest.
Government publishes 30-point Plan for Drivers including EV myth-busting commitment
The government has published a 30-point plan for drivers covering electric vehicle charging and a commitment to work with industry to myth-bust concerns about electric vehicles.
New phase of Warmer Homes Scotland launched
The Scottish Government launched a new phase of Warmer Homes Scotland on 2 October 2023, shifting the national fuel poverty scheme towards clean heating where it is financially and technically feasible.
Successor Warmer Homes Scotland programme launched under the same name
The successor to Warmer Homes Scotland launched on 2 October 2023 under the same name, with a maximum contract value of up to £728 million over up to seven years and higher grant limits per household.
Over 140 organisations write to Government urging tariff reform consultation
More than 140 organisations have written to the Government urging it not to abandon plans to consult on reform of energy tariffs, after ministers appeared to rule out a social tariff consultation.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended until 2028
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended by three years to 2028 and its heat pump grants raised to £7,500, the government announced on 23 October 2023.
CMA opened an investigation into Worcester Bosch boiler marketing
The Competition and Markets Authority opened an investigation in October 2023 into Worcester Bosch's marketing of boilers as hydrogen-blend ready, and the firm has agreed to change its claims.
Daikin opens four new Sustainable Home Network centres
Daikin UK has opened four new Sustainable Home Network centres in Northampton, Aberdeen, Port Talbot and Surrey, taking the walk-in network for homeowners and installers to 35 sites.
New DFS for winter 2023-24 launched incorporating research recommendations
A new Demand Flexibility Service for winter 2023-24 has been launched, with National Grid ESO issuing recommendations to providers after research into last winter's scheme found most participants were satisfied.
Ecodan R290 heat pump launched
Mitsubishi Electric has said it will phase out its Ecodan R32 heat pumps and replace them with an extended Ecodan R290 range, after launching the R290 model in October 2023.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition asks Energy Security Committee for urgent evidence session on forced PPMs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the Commons Energy Security Committee asking it to take evidence within 28 days on 124 forced prepayment meter warrants granted to Scottish Power by Berkshire Magistrates Court.
Energy Act 2023 passed by UK Parliament
The Energy Act 2023, passed by the UK Parliament in October 2023, underpins new consumer protections and technical standards for heat networks across Great Britain.
Energy debt question first asked in tracker at 8%
Consumer Scotland's energy tracker shows the share of Scottish households in energy debt rose from 8% in October 2023 to 19% in winter 2026, with total GB debt and arrears reaching £4.55bn.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy price cap reduced in October 2023
The energy price cap fell on 1 October 2023, cutting the maximum unit rate suppliers can charge on standard variable tariffs, before Ofgem confirmed a 5% rise for the following quarter.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Environment Agency permit rules apply to new ground source heat pumps from 1 October 2023
Ground source heat pump installations completed after 1 October 2023 may require an Environment Agency permit, according to updated Planning Portal guidance for England.
flexi-2023 cost components change at 1 October 2023
ScottishPower has published revised third party cost components for its flexi-2023 variable tariff, showing the values applied to unit rates and standing charges from 1 October 2023.
Good Energy launches Solar Savings smart export tariff
Good Energy has launched Solar Savings, a smart export tariff paying 15p per kWh and 20p per kWh for Wessex ECOEnergy solar customers, up from a 10p pilot rate.
Government confirms heat pumps and heat networks as primary low-carbon heating technology
The government confirmed in October 2023 that heat pumps and heat networks will be the primary low-carbon technologies for home heating over the next decade, with a key role in all pathways to 2050.
Great British Insulation Scheme launched
The UK Government expanded the ECO scheme to include the Great British Insulation Scheme in October 2023, with 2,723 Scottish households recorded as having benefited by February 2025.
Heat and Buildings Strategy sets plan to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035
Hydrogen UK has told the Public Accounts Committee that the October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy plans to end new fossil fuel boiler installations by 2035, while warning that hydrogen heating trials have slipped.
IGEM reports homeowner uncertainty over boiler phase-out plans
IGEM has published survey findings showing 48 per cent of UK homeowners are unsure how the boiler ban will affect their properties and 65 per cent doubt government transition schemes.