Powering Homes news, page 89
- January 2023
E3G publishes briefing urging revival of MEES proposals for private renters
E3G has published a briefing arguing that the Energy Bill's return in 2023 offers a chance to revive revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for private rented homes, consulted on in 2020 but never put to Parliament.
Economy 7 electricity tariffs rise by an average of 7.6%
Electricity-only Economy 7 customers saw average annual bills rise by £116 from 1 January 2023, a 7.6% increase driven largely by EDF and Scottish Power raising Economy 7 rates.
EHPA reports need for 500,000 skilled heat pump installers by 2030
The European Heat Pump Association has calculated that the sector needs at least 500,000 skilled full time equivalent workers by 2030 to meet REPowerEU ambitions, after record 2022 sales.
Energy price cap forecast to reach £4,266 a year from January 2023
Forecasts put the energy price cap at £4,266 a year for a typical household from January 2023, up from the £2,800 expected earlier in 2022, with low-income homes facing the sharpest squeeze.
Environment Improvement Plan 2023 introduced
The government published the Environment Improvement Plan in January 2023, the first review of the 25 Year Environment Plan, setting out measures on domestic burning including tighter emission limits for new stoves.
Environment Improvement Plan published confirming no ban on domestic burning in England
The Environment Improvement Plan states that the government is not considering a ban on domestic burning in England, and recognises that some households depend on solid fuel for heating, hot water and cooking.
EPC fuel prices updated with increases to all fuels
The January 2023 six monthly update to the fuel prices behind Energy Performance Certificates raised every fuel, but the new figures remain far below what households actually pay.
ESF investigation finds over 50 unsafe listings across five online marketplaces
Electrical Safety First found more than 50 unsafe electrical listings across five online marketplaces, with a further 58 products investigated in January 2023 all deemed unsuitable for sale.
Future Homes Standard draft publication expected in 2023
The government has accelerated work on the Future Homes Standard, with draft publication now expected in 2023 as part of a two-stage tightening of building rules.
Gas costs push consumer electricity prices to four times 2021 levels
Ember analysis finds UK consumers paid four times more for electricity in January 2023 than two years earlier under Ofgem's price cap, as soaring gas costs drove the crisis peak.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsWhere Our Energy Comes From
Government announces cut in fuel poverty support for next winter
The Government has announced reduced financial support for households in fuel poverty in 2023/24, with energy bills set to rise from 1 April 2023 as the Energy Bills Support Scheme ends.
New heat networks consented from 2023 to use low or zero emissions heat sources
Heat networks consented in Scotland from 2023 will have to draw their heat from low or zero emissions sources, under proposals set out in a Scottish Government consultation.
Hypothermia cases in England surge during energy bills crisis
Hypothermia cases in England rose 82 per cent in December 2022 against the same month a year earlier, figures reported during the energy bills crisis show.
UK imports no fossil fuels from Russia
The UK imported no coal, oil or gas from Russia in January 2023, as fossil fuel imports from Russia continued to fall after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Leicester Energy Action project begins supporting vulnerable households
National Energy Action's Leicester Energy Action project has been supporting vulnerable people across the city since January 2023, funded by NHS Integrated Care and run with Leicester City Council's public health team.
Octopus Electroverse launches on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Octopus Electroverse has put its charging app on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adding charger search, filtering, charger details and inbuilt navigation to compatible electric vehicle screens.
Ofgem announces market compliance review into PPM practices
Ofgem opened a Market Compliance Review into involuntary prepayment meter practices in January 2023, alongside an urgent investigation into British Gas and a market-wide pause on forced installations.
Ofgem introduced stringent new rules for prepayment meter installations
Ofgem brought in stringent new rules for prepayment meter installation in 2023, after suppliers failed to follow the rules on forced installation, a later government review confirms.
Ofgem opens investigation into British Gas over PPM practices
Ofgem has opened an investigation into British Gas and a Market Compliance Review into prepayment meter practices, alongside a consultation on strengthening protections for involuntary prepayment meter installations.
Ohme launches ePod untethered smart charger
Ohme has added the ePod, an untethered smart charger carrying the same technology as its Home Pro, to its range, giving drivers a cable-free option for the first time.
UK Power Networks next regulatory price control period begins
UK Power Networks has begun its next regulatory price control period, running from 2023 to 2028, after its Green Recovery programme drew 360 bids and led to 86 approved projects.
Quarterly price cap increase planned for January 2023
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Ofgem urging it to drop a planned quarterly price cap increase in January 2023 and to make five urgent reforms to the energy market.
RECCo publishes report estimating energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4bn yearly
The Retail Energy Code Company has published a report with Capgemini estimating that energy theft costs consumers up to £1.4 billion a year and adds up to £50 to every bill.
Redrow announces all upcoming developments will feature air source heat pumps
Redrow announced in January 2023 that all its upcoming developments would feature air source heat pumps, two years ahead of the Future Homes Standard deadline.
Responsive Retrofit pilot launched
The Responsive Retrofit pilot, run by Clarion Futures and launched in 2023, combined money guidance, energy advice and small efficiency measures for tenants, with an evaluation published in 2025.
Review of energy standards commences to investigate a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard
The Scottish Government began a review of building energy standards at the start of 2023 to investigate what a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard might be.
Scottish government launches EPC reform consultation
The Scottish government has consulted on the design and content of Energy Performance Certificates, with findings from that consultation expected towards the end of 2024.
Severe-weather compensation scheme in place in Great Britain
Electricity network companies in England, Scotland and Wales have operated a severe-weather compensation scheme since 2023, funded by electricity customers, as confirmed by NIE Networks.
So Energy and Hometree partnership begins with Home Cover launch
So Energy and Hometree Finance launched a solar payment plan letting homeowners in England and Wales spread installation costs from £75 a month over five to twenty-five years.
Welsh Government published consultation reviewing renewable energy targets
The Welsh Government has confirmed it consulted in January 2023 on renewable energy targets including 100% of annual electricity consumption from renewables by 2035 and 5.5GW of heat pump capacity.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland