Powering Homes News: page 72
- July 2023
Alpha launches Alpha Hydro packaged heat pump solution
Alpha has launched the Alpha Hydro, a packaged air source heat pump system pairing 5kW to 16kW single-phase units with a pre-plumbed cylinder and Smartech controls, aimed at retrofit and new build homes.
Panasonic adds Bi-Bloc units to Aquarea L Series heat pump range
Panasonic has added Bi-Bloc units to its Aquarea L Series of heat pumps, which run on the natural refrigerant R290 and can provide heating, hot water and cooling.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters and asked the regulator to widen the Do Not Install category to cover under-fives and some serious health conditions.
Consultation opens on energy efficiency requirements of Building Regulations
Northern Ireland's Department of Finance opened a consultation on 26 July 2023 on energy efficiency requirements and related areas of Building Regulations, later extended by one month.
MCS appoints British Assessment Bureau as a certification body
MCS has appointed the British Assessment Bureau as a certification body for small-scale renewables, its third such appointment in a year after more than a decade without new ones.
Statutory consultation on consumer standards licence changes published
Ofgem has published the stage three statutory consultation on proposed consumer standards licence changes, alongside responses to its May policy consultation, moving the rules closer to implementation.
Great British Insulation Scheme commences
Parts 1 to 9 of the ECO4A Order came into force on 25 July 2023, beginning the obligation period of the Great British Insulation Scheme, which runs until 31 March 2026.
Great British Insulation Scheme supplier obligations came into force
Legislation in force from 25 July 2023 placed legal obligations on large and medium-sized energy suppliers that meet the Great British Insulation Scheme threshold, Ofgem has confirmed.
SALUS Controls announces Whisper smart TRV for early 2024 launch
SALUS Controls has announced Whisper, a smart thermostatic radiator valve it calls the SuperQuiet TRV, with a market launch set for early 2024 and a 2023 iF Design award already attached.
Scottish Government publishes EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on reforming domestic and non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates, proposing new metrics, a shorter validity period and a move to a webpage format.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandInsulation and Glazing
Government publishes vision for a better energy retail market
The government has published its vision for the future energy retail market, setting out targeted reforms and confirming a consultation on reform options would follow later in 2023.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme extended to 2028
MCS reports that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has been extended to 2028, alongside data showing Wales has overtaken Scotland for the highest uptake of small-scale renewables per household.
NEA and consumer groups call on Government to publish social tariff consultation
National Energy Action, Energy UK, Citizens Advice, Fair By Design and MoneySavingExpert have urged the Government to publish its planned consultation on a social tariff and other bill support before Parliament returns in September.
Rules and RegulationWhere to StartEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Version 2 added Hybrid Wall Insulation measure types
Ofgem added Hybrid Wall Insulation measure types to the Great British Insulation Scheme scores matrix in Version 2, published on 20 July 2023, the first change since the matrix appeared.
E3G publishes Autumn Budget briefing urging fiscal support for private rented sector energy efficiency
E3G has published an Autumn Budget briefing calling on the Treasury to let landlords offset energy efficiency improvements against rental income and to support green lending for the private rented sector.
Nesta publishes policy plan for decarbonising home heating
Nesta has published a four-part policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, covering a boiler phase-out date, cheaper electricity, installer growth and planning reform.
Government introduces £5 million Heat Pump Training Grant
The Heat Pump Association has reported a £5 million government training grant to retrain and upskill 10,000 engineers, alongside rising heat pump sales and Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications.
Citizens Advice published its response to Ofgem's statutory consultation on the supplier profit margin allowance
Citizens Advice has opposed Ofgem's plan to raise the profit margin allowance inside the retail price cap, saying the proposal is not justified by evidence and would not serve consumers.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Warranty conditions issued for Rayleigh 3-Phase Modular Energy Storage System
Rayleigh Instruments has published warranty conditions for its 3-Phase Modular Energy Storage System, setting a five year term, a three year term without internet connection and an 80% capacity guarantee over 120 months.
SMMT issues statement on Public Charge Point Regulations
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders welcomed new Public Charge Point Regulations for their focus on reliability, interoperability and pricing transparency, and called for contactless payment below 8kW.
E3G publishes recommendations for locally led retrofit reform
E3G has published recommendations for reforming local retrofit delivery in England, covering grant disbursement, planning rules and local energy planning, aimed at councils that run home upgrade schemes.
Mixergy announces collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy
Mixergy has announced a collaboration with Kingspan Water & Energy to put its top-down heating technology into Kingspan's Range Tribune cylinder family, launching the Range Tribune MXi.
OPSS issues suspension notices on Cata / Culina gas hobs with certain elbow joints
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has suspended supply of two Cata and Culina gas hob models whose elbow joints can leak gas, and ordered a free modification programme.
Which? responds to Ofgem's expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and consumer support
Which? has welcomed Ofgem's new expectations for energy suppliers on financial resilience and customer support, while warning that bills remain almost double pre-crisis levels.
Jackery launches Solar Generator 2000 Plus in the UK
Jackery has launched the Solar Generator 2000 Plus in the UK, a portable power station with an LFP battery, 3,000W output and capacity that can be expanded with add-on battery packs.
Viessmann launches lower output Vitocal 150/151-A air source heat pumps
Viessmann has added 4, 6 and 8 kW variants to its Vitocal 150-A and 151-A air source heat pump range, extending the line below the 10, 13 and 16 kW models it launched in 2022.
Renewable Adjudication Service launched by REAL
REAL has launched the Renewable Adjudication Service, run by CEDR, which becomes the second stage of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code dispute process in place of independent arbitration.
Alt HAN technology due to be rolled out from July 2023 subject to pilot outcome
Alt HAN technology, which extends the range of the smart meter home area network, is being piloted by some suppliers and is due to be rolled out from July 2023 subject to the pilot's outcome.
BEAMA publishes Future Homes Standard Phase 1 Impact Report ahead of consultation
BEAMA has published a Phase 1 Network-to-Emitter Impact Report on low carbon heating technologies for new homes, ahead of a Future Homes Standard consultation expected after summer 2023.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift in summer 2023
An Environment Agency review of ground source heating and cooling records that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant uplift came in summer 2023, with heat pump grants rising again that October.