Powering Homes News: page 92
- October 2022
Which? warns hundreds of thousands of prepayment meter customers could miss government support
Which? has warned that hundreds of thousands of prepayment meter customers may miss government energy support, and called on suppliers to make sure the discount reaches them.
Ofgem price cap calculations move to quarterly
Energy UK has confirmed that Ofgem now recalculates the price cap every three months rather than every six, so sustained falls in gas prices reach household bills sooner.
Energy crisis narrows electricity to gas price ratio, strengthening heat pump running cost case
Nesta reports the electricity to gas price ratio has fallen from over 5 in 2021 to around 3.8, and to around 3.3 under the Energy Price Guarantee, improving heat pump running cost comparisons.
Energy Price Guarantee ministerial direction page first published
The government published the ministerial direction letters authorising the Energy Price Guarantee on 25 October 2022, setting out the formal instructions behind support for domestic energy consumers.
Energy Prices Act 2022 amendments to the tariff cap Act in force
Amendments made by the Energy Prices Act 2022 to the Domestic Gas and Electricity (Tariff Cap) Act 2018 came into force on 25 October 2022, adding a public spending consideration, a post-review statement duty and a 25 working day rule.
Energy Prices Act 2022 receives Royal Assent
The Energy Prices Act 2022 became law on 25 October 2022, giving ministers powers to run price reduction schemes for household electricity and gas in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Nesta publishes analysis of heat pumps and the energy crisis
Nesta analysis published on 25 October 2022 estimates that replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump cuts gas use by more than 70% and wholesale gas costs by over £1,100 a year.
Consultation on the New Build Heat Standard closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on its New Build Heat Standard closed on 20 October 2022 with 112 responses, most of them from organisations rather than individuals.
Energy Costs (Pre-payment Meters and Social Tariffs) Bill receives First Reading
Kenny MacAskill's Ten Minute Rule Bill on prepayment meters and social tariffs had its First Reading on 19 October 2022, seeking to end higher standing charges for prepayment customers.
Rinnai UK launches free heating and hot water system design service
Rinnai UK has launched a free design service for heating and hot water systems, offered by email or phone and forming part of its H3 product range.
Which? publishes 11 tips for cutting heating bills this winter
Which? has published eleven measures for cutting heating bills in winter 2022, covering boiler settings, cylinder and pipe insulation, heating controls, draught-proofing and professional loft insulation.
Energy Prices Bill brought from the House of Commons with Explanatory Notes published
BEIS published Explanatory Notes for the Energy Prices Bill on 18 October 2022, setting out how the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bills Support Scheme and relief for businesses will work.
Energy Prices Bill explanatory notes printed by House of Lords
Explanatory notes to the Energy Prices Bill, brought from the Commons on 18 October 2022, set out the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bills Support Scheme and payments for homes off the gas grid.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announces EPG duration reduction
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut the Energy Price Guarantee's duration from two years to six months on 17 October 2022, meaning the scheme that capped typical household bills at £2,500 would end in April 2023.
Chancellor statement sets end date for energy support schemes
The Chancellor's 17 October statement confirmed the Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bills Support Scheme and Energy Bill Relief Scheme end in their current form on 31 March 2023, pending a review.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapRules and Regulation
Commons passes Money and Ways and Means resolutions for the Bill
The House of Commons passed Money and Ways and Means resolutions on 17 October 2022, giving parliamentary approval for spending and revenue raising under the Energy Prices Bill.
Heat Pump Ready Programme: Stream 1, Phase 2 page first published
The government published guidance for the second phase of its Heat Pump Ready Programme competition, restricted to projects already contracted under phase one, with applications closing on 7 November 2022.
Power NI announces residential price decrease from 1 November 2022 under Energy Price Guarantee
Power NI has announced a 10 per cent cut to residential electricity bills from 1 November 2022, as the Energy Price Guarantee discount offsets an underlying tariff increase agreed with the Utility Regulator.
CREDS publishes Green uplift report on fuel and transport poverty
CREDS and Green Alliance have published a report recommending sales mandates for heat pumps and zero emissions vehicles, EPC band C by 2028 and cheaper electricity to cut fuel and transport poverty.
Energy Prices Bill introduced in Parliament
The Energy Prices Bill was introduced in Parliament on 12 October 2022 to put the Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bill Relief Scheme and related winter payments on a legal footing.
Powervault launches new PVCompact range
Powervault announced its new PVCompact home energy storage range on 12 October 2022, with the launch to take place at the Solar & Storage Exhibition at the NEC later that month.
Citizens Advice published its response to the REMA consultation
Citizens Advice has told the government's Review of Electricity Market Arrangements that consumer interests must be built into reform from the start, warning that poor design could leave vulnerable households worse off.
ECO4 Delivery Guidance version 1.0 published
Ofgem published version 1.0 of the ECO4 Delivery Guidance and Measures Table on 11 and 14 October 2022, setting the eligibility, project and evidence rules for the scheme's first year.
Samsung launches EHS Mono HT Quiet heat pump in the UK
Samsung announced the UK launch of the EHS Mono HT Quiet, a high temperature, low noise air source heat pump, on 11 October 2022, with UK availability from the start of November in 8, 12 and 14kW capacities.
MCS published consultation on solar PV product standards
MCS has opened a one-month consultation on proposed updates to its Solar PV and Bespoke Building Integrated PV product standards, with comments due by midday on 7 November 2022.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Seasonal Efficiency Guide on ErP
Mitsubishi Electric has published a Seasonal Efficiency Guide explaining the Ecodesign Directive for Energy Related Products and how it affects air conditioning products in manufacturing, testing and reporting.
Money Saving Boiler Challenge launched by Nesta and partners
Nesta launched the Money Saving Boiler Challenge with Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next and Octopus Energy, an online tool guiding households to lower combi boiler flow temperature to 60°C or below.
Ofgem opens consultation on wholesale additional risk allowance index approach
Ofgem has opened a consultation on how the wholesale additional risk allowance is calculated for the January to March 2023 cap period, with responses due by 24 October 2022.
Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation closes
The Government's consultation on electricity market arrangements, which included how the cost of electricity is set, closed on 10 October 2022, with the End Fuel Poverty Coalition calling for reform.
Energy Price Guarantee regional rates page first published
The government first published its Energy Price Guarantee regional rates page on 7 October 2022, setting out the maximum unit rates suppliers could charge under the scheme in England, Scotland and Wales.