Powering Homes News: page 91
- November 2022
Building Regulations changes on thermostatic room controls apply in Wales from November 2022
Changes to the Building Regulations requiring thermostatic room controls when a boiler is replaced in an existing dwelling apply in Wales from November 2022, five months after England.
Rules and RegulationHeating ControlsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
BUS digital service passes Government Digital Standards beta assessment
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme's digital service passed its Government Digital Standards beta assessment in November 2022, letting installers make initial voucher applications online.
CfD Allocation Round 4 secures 11GW of new wind and solar at record low offshore wind prices
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds the gas crisis will add £4,400 to the average household energy bill by April 2024, as Contracts for Difference auctions secure 11GW of new wind and solar.
Chancellor announces additional £6bn for energy efficiency from 2025
The Chancellor's autumn statement added £6bn for energy efficiency from 2025 to 2028, doubling annual government investment, with a new taskforce to deliver a 15% cut in consumption.
Demand Flexibility Service launched
The Demand Flexibility Service, which pays households to cut electricity use at peak times, launched for winter 2022/23 after Ofgem approval, with 1.6 million homes and businesses taking part in its first season.
ECIU analysis finds UK gas imports could have been cut by a fifth with Estonian heat pump deployment rates
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that matching Estonia's heat pump installation rate would have cut UK domestic gas use by 34% and gas imports by 19% in 2021.
ECO insulation delivery reported stalled after internal government delays
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says insulation delivery under the Energy Company Obligation has stalled, with 18,750 low income households potentially missing measures worth £300 each.
Electrical Fire Safety Week 2022 highlights rise in electric heater use
Electrical Safety First reports around 4 million more people in the UK are using electric heaters than a year ago, as Electrical Fire Safety Week 2022 highlights the safety risks of cheaper heating.
Energy Bills Support Scheme to begin in Northern Ireland
Households in Northern Ireland will start receiving the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme payment from November, the Prime Minister said, months after the equivalent support began in Great Britain.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy Price Guarantee began lowering gas and electricity prices
The Consumer Council's Home Energy Index records that the Government Energy Price Guarantee artificially lowered gas and electricity prices in Northern Ireland from 1 November 2022 until 30 June 2023.
Energy Price Guarantee benefits begin to be passed through in Northern Ireland
Households in Northern Ireland began receiving Energy Price Guarantee support through their suppliers from 1 November 2022, with the benefit set to cover increased costs back to 1 October.
Equality impact assessment published for Winter Heating Payment (Low Income) (Scotland) Regulations 2023
The Scottish Government has published an equality impact assessment for its £50 Winter Heating Payment, which replaces Cold Weather Payments and will reach around 400,000 people from February 2023.
Government announces public information campaign to cut energy use by 15% this winter
The government has announced a public information campaign aimed at helping households and businesses cut their energy use by 15 per cent over the winter of 2022.
Government commits to consultation on targeted bill support
Energy UK says the Government has still not held the consultation on targeted bill support it promised in the 2022 Autumn statement, as fuel poverty and customer debt remain far above pre-crisis levels.
Navien launched the Combi Crossover range
Navien launched its ON Combi Crossover boiler range late in 2022, a category the manufacturer says can service any sized home, with the NCB700 ON able to heat three showers at once.
Ofgem opens consultation proposing MSC and BAT extension to March 2024
Ofgem has opened a consultation proposing that the Market Stabilisation Charge and the Ban on Acquisition-Only Tariffs run until March 2024, a year beyond the end date already decided.
Ofgem publishes open letter accepting review recommendations
Ofgem has accepted the recommendations of its review into severe weather compensation, proposing higher payments, a larger cap and faster payment intervals for households left without power.
Ofgem writes to suppliers on remote switching of smart meters to prepayment mode
Ofgem has written to energy suppliers telling them to review their obligations and processes on switching smart meters to prepayment mode remotely, after a review found failings across the market.
Rules and RegulationSmart MetersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ohme and Volkswagen ID. Buzz bundled package announced
Ohme and Volkswagen have bundled an Ohme Home Pro smart charger with financed ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo models, the charger maker announced in November 2022.
OPSS intervenes over carbon monoxide risk in Belling, New World and Stoves gas cookers
The Office for Product Safety and Standards intervened in November 2022 to have more than 66,000 Belling, New World and Stoves gas cookers updated over a carbon monoxide risk.
Part L compliance date for heating controls takes effect in Wales
BEAMA guidance confirms that Part L of the Building Regulations applies to heating controls installed with gas or oil boilers in Wales from November 2022, five months after the English date.
Power NI changes bill layout for price changes
Power NI has changed how its bills show charges when a price change falls inside a billing period, splitting units and standing charges into before and after lines.
Scheme consulted on under the name ECO+
The government consulted on the policy proposals that became the Great British Insulation Scheme under the name ECO+ in November 2022, with Ofgem later named as intended administrator.
Scottish Government publishes cost of living crisis analytical report
The Scottish Government's November 2022 cross-government analysis estimated around 860,000 households in Scotland, 35 per cent, would be in fuel poverty under a £2,500 price cap scenario.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan
The Scottish Government published its Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan in November 2022, setting out steps to grow the green heat sector and launching a £17.6 million innovation support programme.
Tesco ends free EV charging at its stores
Tesco ended free electric car charging at its stores on 1 November 2022, introducing fees for every charger regardless of speed, with rates later rising in March 2023.
Winter Heating Payment regulations to be laid with first payments in February 2023
Scottish ministers will lay Winter Heating Payment regulations in November 2022, bringing them into force in January 2023, with the first guaranteed £50 payments to around 400,000 low-income households in February 2023.
- October 2022
£1.2 million support package announced for consumer-facing advice services
The Scottish Government has announced a £1.2 million package of support for consumer-facing advice services, published alongside its 2022 update on progress against the Heat in Buildings Strategy.
Energy Price Guarantee scheme documents first published
The government published the technical scheme documents for the Energy Price Guarantee on 31 October 2022, setting out the agreements behind support for household gas and electricity bills across the UK.
Research finds homeowners preparing to invest over £16 billion on green home improvements
The Glass and Glazing Federation reports that UK homeowners are preparing to spend more than £16 billion on green home improvements, research it conducted during the nationwide energy crisis.