Powering Homes News: page 80
- March 2023
Warmer Homes Scotland began using revised eligibility criteria
Warmer Homes Scotland moved to revised eligibility criteria in April 2023, after the first phase of applications closed on 31 March 2023 with referrals paused until October.
Government announces EV chargepoint funding and zero emission vehicle consultation
The government has set out plans for tens of thousands of new electric vehicle chargers and a consultation on zero emission vehicle sales requirements from 2024, alongside new insulation and heat pump funding.
Government announces extension of Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
The government has announced a three-year extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028, alongside a £30 million heat pump investment accelerator and a new insulation scheme.
Government announces intention to extend BUS until 2028
The government announced on 30 March 2023 that it intends to extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme beyond its original 2025 end date to 2028, as part of its Powering Up Britain plan.
Government announces rebalancing of gas and electricity costs
The Heat Pump Association has welcomed government plans to rebalance gas and electricity costs, extend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2028 and consult on a clean heat market mechanism.
Government published the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan
The government published its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan on 30 March 2023, setting out proposals and policies intended to enable carbon budgets four, five and six to be met.
Government published updated ZEV mandate consultation response
The Department for Transport has published its response to the 2022 technical consultation on the zero emission vehicle mandate, confirming car targets and raising the proposed van trajectory.
Government releases consultation on clean heat market mechanism
The government has opened a consultation on a clean heat market mechanism, alongside a Boiler Upgrade Scheme extension to 2028 and £30 million for heat pump manufacturing.
Great British Insulation Scheme begins
The Great British Insulation Scheme, a supplier obligation formerly known as ECO+, began in April 2023 to upgrade the least energy-efficient homes in Great Britain, with 300,000 homes expected to benefit.
New Approved Documents take effect
The 2022 editions of Approved Documents F Volume 2 and L Volume 2 take effect in Wales on 29 March 2023, replacing earlier guidance for buildings other than dwellings.
Cadent and British Gas offer all Whitby residents a choice to opt in or out of Hydrogen Village trial
Cadent and British Gas have written to all 2,000 residents in the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village offering each household a choice to opt in to hydrogen heating or stay on natural gas.
New TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and Heating
Tax information and impact note published on VAT relief for energy-saving materials in Northern Ireland
HM Revenue and Customs has published a tax information and impact note extending the temporary VAT zero rate for energy-saving materials to Northern Ireland from 1 May 2023.
Delta launches smartphone app for AC MAX EV charger
Delta has released a smartphone app for its AC MAX electric vehicle charger, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play, adding monitoring and setup controls for users and installers.
SSEN deploys smart meter data to identify network phases remotely
SSEN has developed an algorithm that reads voltage data from smart meters to work out which of three network phases each property is connected to, removing the need for site visits.
Welsh Government statement on energy cost of living crisis
Jane Hutt MS has set out Welsh Government concerns over the energy market, the end of the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme payment and the treatment of prepayment meter customers in Wales.
Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandRules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Powervault launches P4 fourth-generation battery storage system
Powervault has launched the P4, its fourth-generation home and commercial battery storage system, offering five capacities from 8kWh to 24kWh with modular expansion and backup power options.
Andersen EV launches augmented reality tool for A2 home charger
Andersen EV has launched a free augmented reality tool that lets households see its A2 home charger on their own property and try colour and finish options before buying.
SHDF Wave 2.1 and HUG Phase 2 successful projects announced
The government has announced the successful projects for Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1 and Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2, the two Help to Heat schemes that fund efficiency works in social and off-gas homes.
HUG Phase 2 successful local authorities announced
The government has announced which local authorities secured Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 funding, with up to £630 million available to upgrade off gas grid homes in England from April 2023.
Oxfordshire awarded £6.417m under HUG2 to retrofit at least 310 off-gas homes
Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded £6.417 million in the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant to retrofit at least 310 homes that are not heated by mains gas.
WMCA secures £34m to retrofit around 3,000 West Midlands homes
The West Midlands Combined Authority has secured £34 million of government funding, matched by £35 million from housing providers, to retrofit around 3,000 homes rated D or below.
Coalition writes to Housing Minister seeking no new gas grid connections under Future Homes Standard
More than 40 organisations have written to the UK Housing Minister asking for confirmation that the Future Homes Standard will not permit new gas grid connections in newly built homes.
Which? publishes response to BEIS carbon content transparency consultation
Which? has told BEIS that green and renewable tariffs need standardised definitions, mandated sourcing information and a framework that covers electric vehicle charging and green gas.
Industry responds to Spring Budget 2023
Heating industry bodies gave mixed reactions to the Spring Budget, welcoming a three-month extension of the £2,500 energy price cap but criticising the absence of long-term efficiency measures.
Mitsubishi Electric launches new Pre-Plumbed Cylinder range
Mitsubishi Electric has launched a revised range of unvented pre-plumbed hot water cylinders in eight standard and slimline variants, sized from 150L to 300L, to pair with its residential heat pumps.
Power NI announces underlying unit price decrease offset by reduced EPG support
Power NI has cut its underlying residential electricity unit price by 6.61p per unit, but a larger reduction in Energy Price Guarantee support means bills rise 14 per cent from 1 April 2023.
Viessmann launches Vitovolt 300 solar PV system in the UK
Viessmann has brought its Vitovolt 300 solar PV system to the UK, sold as a package with battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging under one control platform.
Chancellor delivers Spring Budget 2023
Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget extended the Energy Price Guarantee for three months, ended the winter support payment, removed the prepayment meter penalty and reclassified nuclear as sustainable.
Energy Bill Support Scheme ends, leaving households £67 a month worse off
National Energy Action says the Energy Bill Support Scheme has ended, cutting £67 a month from household support, while the Energy Price Guarantee is extended at its current level.
Energy Price Guarantee extended at £2,500 for three months to June 2023
The Chancellor has extended the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 for April to June 2023, delaying its planned rise to £3,000 and saving a typical household £160.