Powering Homes News: page 93
- October 2022
Guidance updated with delivery, funding and definitions clarifications
The government has updated its guidance for the closed Sustainable Warmth Competition, clarifying delivery, timescales, grant funding, eligible homes and costs, and adding a definitions section.
ECIU analysis finds poorly insulated band F homes cost £1,000 more to heat this year than band C homes
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that homes rated EPC band F will cost around £1,750 more in total energy costs this year than band C homes, split between household bills and Government support.
Scam texts impersonate the Energy Bills Support Scheme as the £400 grant rolls out
Which? has reported scam texts that impersonate the Energy Bills Support Scheme, telling recipients they are eligible for a discounted bill and linking to a fake application site as the £400 grant is paid out.
Grant UK launches Uflex and Uflex MINI Overlay underfloor heating systems
Grant UK has added the Uflex and Uflex MINI Overlay System to its underfloor heating range, a dry, non-screeded option intended for retrofit projects where floors cannot be raised much.
£200 energy bill reduction to begin in October 2022
A £200 reduction in energy bills for most households in Great Britain was set to begin in October 2022 under the Energy Bills Support Scheme, alongside wider measures to cut reliance on imported gas.
Autumn Statement 2022 announces EPG increase
The Autumn Statement 2022 raised the Energy Price Guarantee to £3,000 for typical annual household consumption from April 2023 and extended it to the end of March 2024.
Cap period 9a cap levels take effect
Ofgem's cap period 9a levels took effect on 1 October 2022, setting the maximum a typical dual fuel direct debit household pays at £3,549 a year until 31 December 2022.
CfD portfolio to start reducing consumer bills from October
Contracts for difference are set to turn negative from October, meaning low-carbon generators pay money back when electricity prices are very high, reducing consumer energy costs.
Chancellor announces Treasury review into energy support
In October 2022 the Chancellor announced a Treasury-led review into energy support, as disability charity Scope reported a sharp rise in demand for its energy and cost of living services.
Charity warns of household fire risk as millions plan to use electric heaters this winter
Electrical Safety First says 42 per cent of UK adults are using or considering an electric heater to heat a single room this winter, an eight point rise on last year, and warns of fire risk from unsafe use.
CO alarm requirement for landlords in England took effect
From 1 October 2022 landlords in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in any living accommodation room containing a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers.
Energy bills increased sharply
Which? has said it was encouraging households to lower combi boiler flow temperatures before energy bills rose sharply in October 2022, ahead of government guidance that December.
Energy bills to rise 64% on last winter
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition says energy bills will rise by 64 per cent against last winter within a week of the Chancellor's mini-Budget, with 6.99 million UK households forecast to be in fuel poverty.
Energy bills to rise for variable tariff customers under the Energy Price Guarantee
Households on variable tariffs face an average 27% rise in bills from 1 October 2022 under the Energy Price Guarantee, and suppliers are raising direct debits to cover the extra cost.
New energy price cap to push bills up by 80 per cent for variable tariff customers
Which? reports that the energy price cap taking effect on 1 October 2022 will raise bills by 80 per cent for households on variable tariffs, with appliance running costs rising sharply.
Energy Price Guarantee begins for domestic consumers
The Energy Price Guarantee took effect on 1 October 2022, capping the unit cost of gas and electricity so that a typical UK household pays around £2,500 a year for two years.
Energy unit prices surge overnight as Energy Price Guarantee takes effect
Combined electricity and gas unit costs rose by between 23% and 27% overnight on 1 October 2022 as the Energy Price Guarantee took effect, with the level depending on payment method and location.
Energyworks grants capped due to unprecedented demand
Energyworks grants in Brighton and Hove were capped in October 2022 after unprecedented demand, with later funding from UK Power Networks topping up existing awards and paying for 174 new £200 grants.
Flexi variable costs updated for the quarter from 1 October 2022
ScottishPower has published the variable cost elements of its Flexi product for the quarter beginning 1 October 2022, showing changes to smart meter, balancing, distribution and transmission charges.
Fuel poverty estimates to rise with 1 October price cap change
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates 21 million people in around 9 million homes will be in fuel poverty from the 1 October price cap rise, rising to 28 million people in January 2023.
GBP2,500 price freeze reported to take effect with fuel poverty still affecting millions
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates 16.4 million people in 6.9 million UK households will remain in fuel poverty in winter 2022/23 even under a reported GBP2,500 price freeze.
Energy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of HomeRules and Regulation
UK government announces target to cut energy use from buildings by 15% by 2030
The UK government has set a target to cut energy use from buildings by 15 per cent by 2030 against 2021 levels, alongside its existing aim for homes to reach EPC C.
Government decides to go ahead with doubling the ECO scheme
The Government has decided to double the Energy Company Obligation, an industry-designed scheme, as analysis shows poorly insulated homes cost about £1,000 a year more to heat than band C homes.
Heating control savings estimates updated to Energy Price Guarantee gas prices
BEAMA has updated its estimates of fuel bill savings from heating control upgrades to reflect the gas prices set by the Energy Price Guarantee from 1 October 2022.
Heating ControlsWhere to StartEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
HES loans and cashback scheme to be relaunched by Autumn 2022
The Scottish Government has confirmed that its successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme will relaunch in Autumn 2022, with applicants required to use TrustMark or MCS approved suppliers.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandInstallers
HETAS brings back #getfiredup campaign for 2022
HETAS has relaunched its #getfiredup campaign for October 2022, promoting approved retailers and Cleaner Choice solid fuel appliances to consumers as the heating season begins.
Household energy bills rose 27%
Typical household energy bills rose by 27% in October 2022, following a 54% increase in April, according to parliamentary research on domestic energy prices.
UK inflation reaches 41-year high of 11.1%
UK inflation reached 11.1% in October 2022, a 41-year high, as household energy bills rose sharply and government support for bills was paid out.
Muller EV Ltd T/A Andersen EV enters administration
Muller EV Ltd, trading as Andersen EV, entered administration in October 2022, with certain assets taken over by Andersen EV Plc and no contractual warranty support for units bought before 24 October 2022.
Nesta analysis finds energy crisis has narrowed the whole life cost gap between heat pumps and gas boilers
Nesta analysis published in October 2022 found the energy crisis moved heat pumps £100 to £250 a year closer to gas boilers on whole life cost, with combined policies making them cheaper still.