Powering Homes News: page 98
- July 2022
Ofgem published ECO4 New Measures and Products draft guidance
Ofgem has published draft guidance for comment on how it will administer the new measures and products routes under ECO4, with responses due by 18 July 2022.
BEIS publishes Energy Bill summary impact assessment
BEIS has published a July 2022 summary impact assessment for the Energy Bill, setting out net present values, business costs and consumer bill impacts across 30 measures.
Central Switching Service introduced
The Central Switching Service began operating in July 2022, cutting the time a household needs to change energy supplier to five working days, according to the body that runs the national smart meter network.
Consortium secures £7.5M from Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
A West Midlands consortium has secured £7.5M from the government's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to retrofit 600 social homes with low carbon heating and solar panels.
ECO scheme entered its fourth phase ECO4
The Energy Company Obligation entered its fourth phase, ECO4, in July 2022, obliging energy companies to fund insulation and heating upgrades in lower income homes until 31 March 2026.
ECO4 legislation comes into place and SWIGA publishes funding feature
SWIGA has published a feature listing grant funding streams for solid wall insulation after ECO4 legislation came into force, setting out eligibility and timescales for schemes running to 2027.
ECO4 Order comes into force
The ECO4 Order came into force in July 2022, opening the fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation to measures installed from 1 April 2022 under a scheme administered by Ofgem.
ECO4 policy guidance published
The government published policy guidance for the Energy Company Obligation 2022 to 2026 in July 2022, setting out how suppliers, manufacturers and installers can apply for innovation and alternative measure routes.
Essex tower block ground source heat pump retrofit begins
Thurrock Council and Kensa began work in July 2022 on a networked ground source heat pump retrofit across 273 flats in three Essex tower blocks, replacing night storage heaters.
First instalment of Cost of Living Payment paid in July 2022
The first instalment of a GBP 650 Cost of Living Payment reached around 8 million low-income households in July 2022, with a second instalment due in November 2022.
Flexi variable costs updated for the quarter from 1 July 2022
ScottishPower has published the variable cost components of its Flexi tariff for the quarter beginning 1 July 2022, with Balancing Services Use of System falling and several regional distribution standing charges changing.
Government launches GOV.UK digital energy advice service
The government launched a digital service on GOV.UK in summer 2022 to help householders find ways to save energy in their homes, according to a later review of retrofit barriers.
Mitchell & Webber calls for government backing of HVO as oil heating alternative
Cornish oil supplier Mitchell & Webber has converted more than 50 oil-fired appliances to hydro-treated vegetable oil since 2020 and is calling for government backing of a national HVO demonstration.
Boilers and HeatingNew TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes From
Ofgem announces urgent review of direct debit increases
Ofgem has announced an urgent review into energy direct debits rising faster than the price cap, finding flawed processes and weaknesses in how suppliers set customer payments.
Protected development eligibility period ended
The protected development provision, which kept certain proposals eligible for permitted development rights for a further year, reached its end date of July 2022.
Scottish Government publishes New Build Heat Standard Consultation: Part II
The Scottish Government has opened a second consultation on its New Build Heat Standard, proposing to ban direct emissions heating systems in new buildings applying for a building warrant from 1 April 2024.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandBoilers and Heating
SSEN and Icebreaker One announce partnership to deliver net zero through better data
SSEN Distribution and the not-for-profit Icebreaker One have begun a partnership to build data-sharing systems intended to support the net zero transition and the rollout of electric vehicle charge points.
Sustainable Warmth Competition programme launches in Elmdon and Foleshill
Two retrofit schemes have launched in the West Midlands, including a £2.86m Sustainable Warmth Competition programme in Elmdon, Solihull, and Foleshill, Coventry, alongside £7.5m for social housing.
Worcester Bosch publishes new build heating and hot water brochure
Worcester Bosch has published a July 2022 new build brochure setting out its Greenstar gas boilers, controls, cylinders and air to water heat pumps for housebuilders and specifiers.
- June 2022
Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 come into force for general requirements
New smart charging rules for electric vehicle charge points sold in Great Britain took effect on 30 June 2022, with separate security requirements deferred to 30 December 2022.
Grant UK adds NeoAir V2-M wireless thermostat to Uflex controls range
Grant UK has added the NeoAir V2-M, a battery powered wireless programmable room thermostat, to its Uflex underfloor heating controls range, joining the NeoStat V2 and Edge controls.
Technical Booklet F1 June 2022 edition came into effect
The June 2022 edition of Technical Booklet F1, the guidance on conserving fuel and power in dwellings in Northern Ireland, took effect on 30 June 2022 and replaced the 2012 version.
CCC annual progress report criticises energy efficiency programmes
The Climate Change Committee's annual progress report, published on 29 June 2022, said sharply rising fuel costs should have accelerated home energy efficiency work, but the necessary programmes are not in place.
CCC publishes 2022 Progress Report finding current programmes will not deliver Net Zero
The Climate Change Committee's 2022 Progress Report finds credible plans for only part of the emissions reductions needed, with home energy efficiency singled out as a major delivery gap.
Ofgem publishes RIIO-ED2 Draft Determination for SSEN Distribution
Ofgem has published its Draft Determination on SSEN Distribution's RIIO-ED2 business plan, proposing an 18% increase on its RIIO-ED1 allowances, with a Final Determination due later in 2022.
BBC Regional News broadcasts Cornwall HVO heating trial
A BBC regional news broadcast on 28 June 2022 covered Mitchell & Webber's conversion of oil-fired heating systems in Cornwall to hydro-treated vegetable oil, with the company calling for government backing.
EO Charging unveils EO Genius 2 and EO Mini Pro 3 chargers
EO Charging has announced two smart chargers, the commercial EO Genius 2 and the home EO Mini Pro 3, both built to meet UK smart charging rules that take effect on 30th June 2022.
Government confirms extension and expansion of Warm Home Discount scheme in Scotland to 2026
The UK government has confirmed it will extend and expand the Warm Home Discount in Scotland to March 2026, raising the rebate to £150 and lowering supplier participation thresholds.
Ofgem decides CfD cap allowance will be updated quarterly
Ofgem has decided that the Contracts for Difference allowance within the default tariff cap will be updated quarterly, keeping the calculation method unchanged.
Ofgem decides to remove £0/MWh floor from CfD allowance in default tariff cap
Ofgem has decided to remove the £0/MWh floor from the Contract for Difference allowance in the default tariff cap, replacing the published Interim Levy Rate with an expected levy payment from 1 October 2022.