Powering Homes news, page 92
- December 2022
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.
CIPHE responds to Autumn Statement 2022 warning on fuel poverty
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has called the 2022 Autumn Statement a first step, warning that more immediate action is needed to reduce the threat of fuel poverty for struggling households.
Energy price guarantee to rise to £3,000 in spring and be extended 12 months
The Energy Price Guarantee will rise to £3,000 in the spring and be extended for another 12 months, a change the CIPHE says leaves domestic consumers facing a 164% rise in two years.
Autumn Statement announces £6 billion extra energy efficiency funding from 2025
The Chancellor has announced a further £6 billion of energy efficiency funding from 2025, doubling annual investment, alongside an ambition to cut energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030.
Which? responds to low redemption of Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers among prepayment customers
Which? has called on energy firms and the government to work with top-up outlets to find out why a third of traditional prepayment customers have not redeemed Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers.
Chancellor confirmed EPG support until end of March 2024
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for April to June 2023 at £3,280, below the £3,000 Energy Price Guarantee level confirmed by the Chancellor on 17 November 2022 and running to March 2024.
Household Support Fund extended to 31 March 2024
The Autumn Statement of 17 November 2022 added £1 billion to the Household Support Fund, extending it in England by twelve months to 31 March 2024.
BSI becomes first UKAS accredited lab for EV charger testing
BSI has become the first laboratory accredited by UKAS to test and certify electric vehicle chargers, giving an independent mark of assurance on charger safety and performance.
EPG NI scheme confirmed already in force
Lord Callanan told the Lords Grand Committee on 16 November 2022 that the energy price guarantee Northern Ireland scheme is already in force, as regulations defining domestic supply were considered.
Fuel Bank Foundation issues advice on unredeemed EBSS vouchers for prepayment customers
The Fuel Bank Foundation has urged prepayment meter customers to check for and redeem their Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers after figures showed low redemption rates in October.
Grand Committee considers Energy Prices (Domestic Supply) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2022
The House of Lords Grand Committee agreed regulations defining domestic electricity and gas supply in Northern Ireland, so the energy price guarantee scheme can apply there.
Jaguar Land Rover partners with Andersen EV for luxury home charging
Jaguar Land Rover has agreed a partnership with British charger maker Andersen EV to offer the A2 home charging point to owners of its electrified Jaguar and Land Rover models.