Powering Homes news, page 68
- October 2023
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
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.