Powering Homes News: page 69
- September 2023
Fuel Bank Foundation head warns MPs of impending winter fuel crisis
The head of the Fuel Bank Foundation told MPs that the UK faces another winter fuel crisis without further targeted government support, as bills remain double pre-crisis levels.
NEA tells MPs over a million vulnerable households missed energy crisis support
National Energy Action told MPs that more than a million vulnerable households missed energy crisis support last winter, with £444 million of earmarked funding left unspent by the energy department.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Voucher issue and redemption details added
Government guidance for continuous cruisers was updated on 6 September 2023 with details of when £600 energy bill support vouchers would be issued and how they could be redeemed.
2030 petrol and diesel car ban postponed to 2035
Rishi Sunak postponed the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035, removing the five-year extension previously given to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
AR5 CfD auction fails to attract offshore wind bids
The Climate Change Committee has confirmed that no offshore wind contracts were awarded in the fifth Contracts for Difference auction, after the strike price failed to keep pace with supply chain costs.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant increased to £7,500
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for heat pumps rose from £5,000 to £7,500 in September 2023, but the scheme's budget was not increased, so it will serve fewer homes.
BSI publishes updated PAS 2035/2030:2023 standards
The British Standards Institution published updated PAS 2035/2030:2023 retrofit standards in September 2023, with the 2019 versions withdrawn at midnight on 30th March 2025.
CES and CESS amend bill formats
Ofgem has closed its investigation into Community Energy Scheme UK and Community Energy Scheme Stoke after the firms completed agreed changes to bills, contracts and exit rights.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationEnergy Suppliers
Commons committee backs social tariff
The House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee backed a social tariff for specific groups of consumers in September 2023, as part of a long-running campaign for energy tariff reform.
Coventry high-rise fire linked to UPP battery
A Coventry high-rise fire in September 2023 has been linked to a UPP e-bike battery that government withdrew from sale, as safety charity Electrical Safety First continues to find listings online.
UK delays end of sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans
The UK government has pushed back the end of sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, a change the car industry says has made private buyers slower to switch to electric.
DESNZ lowers Core Group 2 high energy cost threshold for SY13
DESNZ has lowered the high energy cost threshold for Core Group 2 of the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales, expanding the eligible cohort after Scheme Year 12 spending fell £74 million short of expectations.
ECA's guide to Net Zero launched at Roadshow
The Electrical Contractors' Association has launched a guide to Net Zero at its Roadshow, setting out its case for safety and competence to sit at the centre of UK electrification.
European standard change affected solar PV fire classifications
A European standard change that took effect in September 2023 left fire test laboratories unable to issue fire classifications for roof integrated solar systems, prompting MCS to seek a fix.
Exemptions announced for 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out
The government said in September 2023 that some homes, estimated at about a fifth of households, may be exempt from the planned 2035 phase-out of new fossil fuel boilers.
UK government launches new insulation funding for up to 300,000 households
The UK government launched funding for up to 300,000 eligible households to install insulation, as Which? research found few homeowners are looking into insulation despite concern about energy bills.
UK Government signalled abandonment of MEES amendment commitments
The National Insulation Association has said the UK Government abandoned its proposed amendments to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, as signalled by the Prime Minister's speech in September 2023.
Great British Insulation scheme formally launched
The government has formally launched the Great British Insulation Scheme, extending support for loft and cavity wall insulation to households in council tax bands A to D.
Great British Insulation Scheme launched, formerly known as ECO+
The Great British Insulation Scheme, formerly ECO+, has launched across England, Scotland and Wales, administered by Ofgem and running to March 2026, with average annual bill savings of £400.
IGEM reports one in five UK homeowners has never had a gas safety check
Research published by IGEM in September 2023 found 22% of UK homeowners have never had a gas safety check, as ONS data showed accidental carbon monoxide deaths fell 7% year on year.
Latest revision of PAS 2035/2030 published and made freely available
A revised version of the PAS 2035/2030 retrofit standards was published in September 2023 and made freely available, with a transition period from the 2019 edition running to 30 March 2025.
Leaky Homes project to expand across Surrey in September
The Leaky Homes project, run by Zero Carbon Guildford and Energy Action Redhill & Reigate, plans to expand across all Surrey districts and boroughs from September, buying more thermal cameras and training community groups.
Local Authority Delivery scheme closes
The Local Authority Delivery scheme, which funded energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households in England, closed in September 2023 after opening in August 2020.
Myson upgrades 700mm Select Compact radiators to 750mm high models
Myson is replacing its 700mm high Select Compact radiators with 750mm high models from mid-September, a change it links to demand for low temperature heating systems.
Octopus Energy launched its Energy Helpers programme
Energy UK's 2023 Vulnerability Commitment report records that Octopus Energy's Energy Helpers programme completed 218,000 home visits, as the voluntary scheme grew to 13 signatories covering over 90% of the domestic market.
Ofgem raises storm compensation cap from £700 to £2,000
Ofgem has raised the maximum storm compensation payment for households and businesses that lose power in severe weather from £700 to £2,000, with a higher initial payment and shorter waiting times.
Organisations line up to back energy tariff reform
More than 140 charities, organisations and MPs have signed an open letter urging the Prime Minister to consult on and deliver an energy social tariff before winter.
Phase out date for new off-grid oil and LPG boilers put back to 2035
The Prime Minister announced in September 2023 that the phase out date for installing new oil and LPG boilers and new coal heating in off-grid homes would move from 2026 to 2035.
Powerwall 3 released with integrated solar inverter
Tesla released the Powerwall 3 in September 2023, a home battery with an integrated solar inverter, 13.5 kWh of usable capacity and up to 11.04 kW of on-grid power.
Prime Minister announced change to gas boiler new-build policy
Rishi Sunak said in September 2023 that the aim was to cut gas boiler installations in new build homes by 80 per cent rather than ban them outright.