Powering Homes news, page 74
- August 2023
Baxi launches new residential air source heat pump range
Baxi has launched the HP40 Monobloc air source heat pump range for UK homes, sold as a package with cylinders, controls, training and aftersales support.
Cadent launches Warm Homes Network pilot in Birmingham
Cadent began piloting the Warm Homes Network in Birmingham in August 2023, a partnership scheme that refers vulnerable households to energy efficiency, benefit and debt support through a single point of contact.
CfD Allocation Round 5 secures no offshore wind capacity
The fifth Contracts for Difference allocation round secured no offshore wind capacity, a result Ember says puts the government's 50 GW offshore wind target for 2030 at risk.
Consultation published on future regulation of heat networks
Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have published a consultation on regulating heat networks, with rules expected to start in 2025 and Consumer Scotland named as advocate.
Consumer Council research estimates 51% of Northern Ireland households in fuel poverty
Consumer Council research estimates 51 per cent of Northern Ireland households were in fuel poverty in early 2023, up from 34 per cent in 2022, with 48 per cent unable to afford to heat their homes.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem statutory consultation on involuntary prepayment meters
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it supports putting the involuntary prepayment meter code into supply licences and keeping over 85s in the do not install category, but wants under 5s moved there too.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem statutory consultation on consumer standards
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs the regulator's proposed consumer standards for energy suppliers, while calling for outcomes-based compliance, minimum standards for agency lines and recognised customer service accreditation.
Emergency credit increased from £1 to £3
Power NI raised the emergency credit available on its Keypad prepayment meters in Northern Ireland from £1 to £3 on 1 August 2023, giving households a larger buffer before supply is cut off.
UK Government confirms cancellation of proposed £120 hydrogen household levy
The Energy Secretary has confirmed that a proposed £120 annual levy on household energy bills to fund hydrogen production, due to take effect in 2025, will not be imposed on households.
Government directs Ofgem to end PPM premium
In August 2023 the Government directed Ofgem to permanently end the premium paid by prepayment meter customers, with a Call for Evidence on levelling the standing charge.
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull
Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull in August 2023, part of a wider investment programme that has since drawn government funding and further company spending.
Inaugural Tariff Watch report published
The Warm This Winter coalition has published the first Tariff Watch report, estimating that household energy suppliers could make £1.74bn in profits over the next 12 months from customers' bills.
Nesta submits written evidence to Parliament on decarbonising home heating
Nesta has told Parliament that ministers should confirm a 2035 fossil fuel boiler phase-out, lift the Boiler Upgrade Scheme cap and cap the electricity to gas price ratio at 2.5.
Ofgem announces cap fall to £1,923 for Q4 2023
Ofgem set the default tariff cap for October to December 2023 at £1,923 for a typical dual fuel household, down from £2,074, though standing charges rose and the Energy Bills Support Scheme has ended.
Ofgem publishes call for input on engaging domestic consumers in energy flexibility
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how to move households from passive bill paying to active energy flexibility, with responses due by 29 September 2023.
Ofgem set out options to levelise prices across payment methods
Ofgem has set out options for levelling the standing charges paid by prepayment meter customers with those paid by other households, as part of a wider review of debt-related costs in the price cap.
Scottish Government limited solar funding to homes with renewable heating systems
The Scottish Government restricted Home Energy Scotland solar funding to homes with renewable heating from August 2023, before solar and battery support was withdrawn entirely in June 2024.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandWhere to Start
Vauxhall launches Electric Streets of Britain campaign
Vauxhall launched its Electric Streets of Britain campaign in August 2023, inviting drivers to register the need for on-street charging through a national database shared with councils and charge point operators.
Welsh Government publishes draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation
The Welsh Government has published a draft Heat Strategy for Wales, setting out its path to net zero heat by 2050 and opening the document to consultation.
- 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.