Powering Homes News: page 68
- September 2023
Standing charge discount provision added
The Energy Price Guarantee scheme documents for Great Britain were updated on 27 September 2023 to let the scheme deliver support as a discount on standing charges rather than unit rates alone.
ECO4 innovation measure 022 approved
Ofgem approved UKSOL monocrystalline solar panels with built-in Tigo optimisers as ECO4 innovation measure 022 on 26 September 2023, with a 45% uplift and EDF Energy as awarded supplier.
Sunsynk announces Hybrid Fusion Inverter range
Sunsynk has announced its Hybrid Fusion Inverter range, an all in one unit combining a hybrid inverter with an integrated LiFePO4 battery, in sizes from 2.5 kW to 30 kW.
DESNZ issues change notice to increase BUS grant levels
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero issued a change notice on 21 September 2023 raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants for air and ground source heat pumps to £7,500 from 23 October 2023.
Government confirms delay of EV mandate deadline to 2035
The government has confirmed it will push back the end of sale date for new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, leaving the details of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate outstanding.
Government confirms ZEV mandate remains in place
Ministers have confirmed the zero emissions vehicle mandate is unchanged after confusion over whether Rishi Sunak's rollback of climate policies had also swept away the scheme requiring electric car sales.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants increased by 50%
Grants for heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rose by 50% from 23 October 2023, taking the air source and ground source rate to £7,500, with applications rising sharply afterwards.
ChargeUK issues statement urging government to confirm 2030 phase out date and strong ZEV mandate
ChargeUK has urged the Prime Minister to confirm the 2030 phase out date for new petrol and diesel vehicles and a strong ZEV mandate, calling the government's news extremely worrying for industry confidence.
Fuel Bank Foundation publishes advice on avoiding and reporting energy scams
The Fuel Bank Foundation has published guidance on spotting, avoiding and reporting energy scams, saying energy-related fraud rose sharply over the previous 12 months as criminals exploited the cost-of-living crisis.
Nesta calls on UK Government to keep 2035 gas boiler commitment
Nesta has urged the UK Government to keep its commitment that no new gas boilers are installed after 2035, warning that any retreat would raise costs and slow heat pump uptake.
Ofgem gains power to direct suppliers to ringfence customer credit balances
Ofgem has confirmed that since 20 September 2023 it can direct an energy supplier holding too little cash against customer credit balances to ringfence funds, and has begun publishing quarterly data on those balances.
Phase-out of off-gas-grid fossil fuel boilers and new coal heating delayed to 2035
Rishi Sunak's September 2023 net zero speech delayed the phase-out of new oil and LPG boilers and coal heating for off-grid homes from 2026 to 2035, while raising Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants to £7,500.
Prime Minister delivers speech relaxing Net Zero policies
The Prime Minister's September 2023 Net Zero speech delayed fossil fuel car and boiler phase-outs and dropped planned energy efficiency rules for rented homes, prompting the Climate Change Committee to warn the UK is unlikely to meet its 2030 emissions target.
Rishi Sunak announces rollback of key net-zero targets
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales to 2035, loosened the gas boiler phaseout and dropped energy efficiency rules for rented homes.
Sunak announces delays to core net-zero policies in "new approach" speech
Rishi Sunak has delayed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, pushed the off-gas-grid fossil heating phaseout to 2035 and scrapped rental energy efficiency rules.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingBoilers and Heating
GBIS and HUG schemes open for applications with new eligibility checker
The Great British Insulation Scheme and Home Upgrade Grant opened for applications on 14 September 2023, with a government eligibility checker directing households to their supplier or council.
Great British Insulation Scheme opens
The government opened its £1 billion Great British Insulation Scheme on 14 September 2023, with an online eligibility checker and a phone line for households in lower council tax bands.
Octopus Energy launches Cosy Octopus smart heating system with Cosy 6 heat pump
Octopus Energy has launched Cosy Octopus, a smart heating system built around its first in-house heat pump, the Cosy 6, with installations due to begin in December.
Separate Home Upgrade Grant checker launched
A separate online checker for the Home Upgrade Grant was launched on 14 September 2023, alongside the Great British Insulation Scheme, for off-gas-grid homes rated EPC D to G.
Which? publishes research on homeowner insulation attitudes and calls for government action
Which? has published research showing few UK homeowners are insulating their homes despite worries about energy bills, and called on the government to improve advice and EPCs.
MCS responds to SEG confusion and sets out its future role
MCS has clarified that regulated Smart Export Guarantee tariffs require an MCS certified installation, while non-regulated export tariffs remain at energy companies' discretion, and has set out planned scheme changes.
Ofgem publishes decision on Involuntary PPM rules
Ofgem has confirmed new licence rules on involuntary prepayment meters, widening the group that must never be given one to households with children under two and those occupied only by adults over 75.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Titon launches HRV4 Q Plus MVHR range
Titon has added the HRV4 Q Plus to its mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range, a 600mm wide unit rated at up to 158 l/s airflow and up to 91% heat recovery.
OPSS intervenes with 11 gas hob manufacturers over safety risks
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has secured commitments from 11 gas hob manufacturers, nine of them UK firms, to modify affected models after faulty elbow joints were linked to poisoning, burns, fires and explosions.
Which? and Octopus Energy launch solar panel and heat pump discount offer
Which? members can claim a 5% discount on solar panel or air-source heat pump installations booked through Octopus Energy, under an offer running until 15 December 2023.
Consultation on SAP and RdSAP amendments for ECO schemes closed
The National Insulation Association has published its response to a closed government consultation on changing the energy rating method used for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
GivEnergy moves to standard 12-year warranty on residential products
GivEnergy has replaced its five-year residential warranty, with an optional ten-year extension, with a standard twelve-year warranty on all home batteries, inverters and All in One units from 11 September 2023.
Coalition writes to Energy Secretary seeking ban on forced PPMs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho asking her to legislate against forced prepayment meter installations and to keep Ofgem's current ban in place until at least April 2024.
Cadent issues gas safety warning ahead of winter
Cadent has warned that almost half of households would attempt their own boiler repairs, as its research shows many are skipping annual servicing to cut costs before winter.
Consumer groups warn this winter will be as brutal as the last with no repeat of crisis support
Consumer groups told MPs that more than a million vulnerable households missed energy crisis support last winter, and warned this winter will be as brutal with no repeat of the schemes.