Powering Homes News: page 89
- December 2022
Octopus Energy takes on 1.5 million customers from Bulb
Octopus Energy took on an additional 1.5 million customers from Bulb in December 2022, a transfer that reshaped the supplier market and lifted its customer base.
OVO announces £50m Customer Support Package
OVO has announced a £50m Customer Support Package for winter 2022, including payment holidays on prepayment debt, a 200% rise in emergency top-up credit and a partnership with the Trussell Trust.
OVO Energy introduces temporary ban on forced prepayment meter installations over Christmas
OVO Energy has paused forced prepayment meter installations over Christmas and suspended debt recovery until at least March 2023, but says forced installations will resume in the new year.
OVO Energy suspends debt recovery until at least March 2023
OVO Energy has suspended debt recovery until at least March 2023, so prepayment top-ups pay only for usage and standing charges rather than existing arrears.
Partnership project launches to support terminally ill people in fuel poverty
A partnership led by gas distributor SGN with Cadent, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities is funding energy advice and benefits support for terminally ill people in fuel poverty across Britain.
Phase out of Russian oil and coal use committed by end of 2022
The government's British Energy Security Strategy commits to phasing out Russian oil and coal by the end of 2022, with Russian LNG imports to end as soon as possible afterwards.
Pre-payment meter crisis hits smart meter customers, new data shows
Freedom of Information data shows 48,062 smart meters were switched to prepayment mode for debt in the first half of 2022, more than in the whole of 2021.
Press release announces Value of Solar Heat findings
Solar Energy UK has published findings that pairing solar panels with a heat pump can cut a home's annual energy bills by up to £3,164, based on bill cap rates applied from October 2022.
Renewable Heat Incentive ended
The Renewable Heat Incentive closed in 2022 and was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which pays a one-off grant towards the upfront cost of a heat pump in England and Wales.
Research reveals nine million adults living in cold damp homes at Christmas
A Warm This Winter survey of 2,186 adults found 18 per cent of the population, or 9.02 million adults, were living in cold damp homes in December 2022.
Research reveals PPM customers living in cold damp homes and self-disconnecting
Research for the Warm This Winter campaign finds 64% of prepayment meter customers are vulnerable, 13% have self-disconnected and 31% live in cold damp homes.
Scotland tightens building regulations emissions requirements
Updated Scottish building regulations took effect from 1 December 2022, requiring new homes to cut carbon emissions by 32 per cent and new non-domestic buildings by 20 per cent against previous standards.
Solar Energy UK publishes The Value of New Build Solar report calling for mandatory solar on new homes
Solar Energy UK has published The Value of New Build Solar, modelling bill and carbon savings across four UK case studies and calling for mandatory solar on new homes in England, Scotland and Wales.
WHD to split into separate England and Wales and Scotland schemes from SY12
Ofgem's annual Warm Home Discount report confirms that from Scheme Year 12 the scheme will split into separate England and Wales and Scotland schemes, with the supplier threshold cut.
Wickes begins using Infact data in its marketing
Wickes has used independently verified energy saving facts and figures from Energy Saving Trust's Infact bulletin in its customer marketing since December 2022, the trust has said.
Yorkshire Building Society energy advice tool launched
Yorkshire Building Society launched an energy saving tool built by Energy Saving Trust in December 2022, giving customers a personalised action plan for their homes.
- November 2022
IEA released The Future of Heat Pumps
The International Energy Agency published The Future of Heat Pumps on 30 November 2022, its first comprehensive global outlook on the technology, linking the global energy crisis to a surge in sales.
Rates for January to March 2023 added
The government added Energy Price Guarantee regional unit rates for January to March 2023 to its published tables, setting the maximum amounts suppliers could charge under the scheme.
Citizens Advice responds to ECO+ scheme and Help for Households campaign expansion
Citizens Advice has welcomed extra funding for energy efficiency measures under the ECO+ scheme but says an energy saving campaign must be matched by continued financial support for households in crisis.
Low Carbon Hub releases Warmer Winter Checklist for Oxfordshire residents
Low Carbon Hub has published a Warmer Winter Checklist of tips and resources for Oxfordshire households facing higher energy costs, alongside a Crowdfunder aiming to raise £15,000 for fuel poverty support.
Ofgem publishes outcomes of review of Severe Weather Compensation Arrangements
Ofgem has published the outcomes of its review of the Guaranteed Standards of Performance for Severe Weather, the review it committed to as Action 19 of the Storm Arwen Report.
Ofgem opens statutory consultations on supplier financial resilience measures
Ofgem opened statutory consultations on 25 November 2022 covering new capital adequacy requirements, ringfencing of Renewables Obligation balances and powers to direct ringfencing of credit balances.
Ofgem publishes Default Tariff Cap level for 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023
Ofgem has published the Default Tariff Cap level for 1 January to 31 March 2023, raising the dual fuel direct debit cap by 21 per cent to £4,279.
The 2022 amendments take effect
Wales has brought its 2022 energy efficiency, ventilation and overheating amendments into force, with new Approved Documents L, F and O applying to building work from 23 November 2022.
Approved Document L Volume 1 takes effect in Wales
The 2022 edition of Approved Document L Volume 1, setting energy efficiency guidance for dwellings in Wales, takes effect on 23 November 2022, with transitional arrangements running to November 2023.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
New Approved Documents take effect
New Welsh building regulations covering energy efficiency, ventilation and overheating took effect on 23 November 2022, replacing Approved Documents L1A, L1B and parts of F for dwellings in Wales.
Pre-payment Meters (Self-disconnection) Bill receives First Reading
Anne McLaughlin's Ten Minute Rule Bill on prepayment meter self-disconnection received its First Reading on 19 October 2022, seeking a grace period before disconnection and debt management support.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationEnergy Suppliers
Trickle vent rules take effect in Wales
Changes to Approved Document F requiring trickle vents in the majority of replacement windows and doors came into effect in Wales on 23 November 2022, five months after the same rules began in England.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem review into support for vulnerable customers
Citizens Advice has called on energy suppliers to do everything in their power to identify and support struggling customers, after Ofgem's review into support for vulnerable customers.
Ofgem completes Market Compliance Review of supplier support for vulnerable customers
Ofgem has completed a Market Compliance Review of how suppliers support customers in vulnerable situations, rating all suppliers into three groups and requiring improvement plans from every one.