Powering Homes news, page 96
- October 2022
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.
Octopus Energy and Halifax announce heat pump pilot scheme
Octopus Energy and Halifax have announced a pilot scheme offering Halifax mortgage customers air source heat pumps for as little as £2,000 fully installed, according to analysis published by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit.
Octopus Energy identified as acquirer of Bulb
Octopus Energy was named in October 2022 as the buyer of Bulb's customers, business assets and liabilities, including customer credit balances, after a sale delayed from the summer.
Octopus Energy takes over Bulb customers
Bulb's customers were moved to Octopus Energy in October 2022 under Ofgem's Supplier of Last Resort process, ending the largest supplier failure of the energy crisis.
Energy SuppliersRules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ofgem publishes ECO4 delivery guidance
Ofgem has published version 1 of its ECO4 delivery guidance, setting out the minimum requirements, exemptions, scoring rules and scheme interactions that govern how energy suppliers deliver the obligation.
Policy costs removed from energy bills from October 2022
Social and Environmental Obligations were removed from household energy bills from October 2022, with the Chancellor funding the schemes through taxation instead of charging billpayers.
Price cap forecast raised to around £3,000 due to Ukraine conflict
Forecasts for the October 2022 energy price cap rose from £2,400 to around £3,000 after the conflict in Ukraine pushed up global gas prices, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit said.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes From
Public spending impact added to cap statutory factors
Ofgem has confirmed that since October 2022 it must consider the effect of the energy price cap on public spending when setting the cap level.
RPSA and PCA spray foam guidance withdrawn for review
Industry guidance on spray foam insulation published by the RPSA and PCA in November 2021 was withdrawn in October 2022 pending a full review, leaving surveyors and lenders without a shared framework.
SSEN announces VFES project to embed vulnerability features into network planning
SSEN Distribution has announced a £144,000 project to build forecasts of customer vulnerability into its network planning, with a report due in early 2023.
New unit rates and standing charges take effect under the EPG
From 1 October 2022 the Energy Price Guarantee replaced the planned price cap, setting variable tariff unit rates at around 34p per kWh and standing charges at 46p per day for direct debit customers.
Warm Home Discount to increase to £150 in October
The Warm Home Discount rises from £140 to £150 in October 2022 and its eligibility expands by almost a third, to reach three million households.