Powering Homes news, page 94
- November 2022
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.
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.