Powering Homes news, page 75
- July 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.
Centrica trading division reported £1.4 billion profit
Centrica's energy marketing and trading division made £1.4 billion in profit during the year, it was reported in July 2023, as the company's wider role in UK gas supply drew scrutiny.
Draft Heat Strategy for Wales published for consultation
The Welsh Government published its Draft Heat Strategy for Wales for consultation in summer 2023, setting out long term requirements for decarbonising heat across all sectors by 2050.
Energy Bills Support Scheme ends
The Energy Bills Support Scheme has ended, removing support that held the average bill 16 per cent below the Energy Price Guarantee rate, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition has said.
Energy Saving Trust publishes its Guide to solar panels
Energy Saving Trust has published a guide to solar panels covering how the technology works, typical costs and savings, and how to find an MCS certified installer.
Energy Systems Catapult chosen to develop Lancaster District LAEP
Energy Systems Catapult was chosen in July 2023 to produce a whole systems, evidence-led Local Area Energy Plan for Lancaster District, which Lancaster City Council signed off in October 2024.
FCA Consumer Duty comes into force
The Financial Conduct Authority's Consumer Duty took effect at the end of July 2023, setting a higher standard of consumer protection for regulated firms including those that finance home heating.
First Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report published
The first Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report, produced with Future Energy Associates, says suppliers could make £1.74bn in permitted profit over the next 12 months and sets out regional price differences.
Fixed tariff availability doubles in July 2023
The number of fixed energy tariffs newly available on the UK market doubled in July 2023, from five in early 2023 to ten, according to the first Warm This Winter Tariff Watch report.
Government appears to rule out social tariff consultation
The Government appeared in July 2023 to rule out a consultation on a social tariff for energy, despite having said it intended to consult on options that summer.
Government reduces Energy Price Guarantee extra support to zero
The government cut the extra support paid through the Energy Price Guarantee to zero on 1 July 2023, ending a 3.77p per unit discount for Power NI customers and adding an estimated 14p a day to bills.
Government rejects Energy Bill amendments on forced PPM transfers
The Government has rejected backbench amendments to the Energy Bill that would have given it power to ban forced transfers of households onto prepayment meters, with further debate postponed to the autumn.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters