Powering Homes news, page 99
- August 2022
Ofgem moves default tariff cap to quarterly updates
Ofgem confirmed in August 2022 that the default tariff cap would be updated every three months instead of every six, changing how often household energy prices are reviewed.
ECO 4 becomes a reality but delivery is at 25 percent of traditional capacity
The Installation Assurance Authority says ECO 4 legislation has been laid after delays, but industry delivery is running at only 25 percent of traditional capacity as installers consider layoffs.
Friends of the Earth research identifies almost 9,000 energy crisis hotspots in England and Wales
Friends of the Earth research identifies almost 9,000 energy crisis hotspots across England and Wales, with Birmingham and Bradford ranked highest among 30 local authority areas at greatest risk of serious financial hardship.
Government decides not to double ECO scheme
The Government decided not to double the Energy Company Obligation, an industry-developed proposal, as analysis showed poorly insulated homes facing gas bills almost £1,000 higher than band C homes.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
Nord Stream 1 pipeline closed
Russian gas flows to Europe continued until the Nord Stream 1 pipeline closed in August 2022, six months after the invasion of Ukraine, leaving Europe unable to refill storage with Russian gas.
Ofgem decides to extend MSC and BAT until March 2023
Ofgem has decided to extend the Market Stabilisation Charge and the Ban on Acquisition-Only Tariffs until March 2023, with a further consultation proposing an extension to March 2024.
Ofgem decides not to apply proposed offsets against the unexpected SVT demand adjustment
Ofgem has confirmed a £41 per customer cap adjustment for unexpected standard variable tariff demand from 1 October 2022, and declined to offset it against other allowances.
Ofgem decides to use a lower quartile benchmark for unexpected SVT demand costs in the default tariff cap
Ofgem has decided to add £41 to the default tariff cap for typical dual fuel non-prepayment customers from 1 October 2022, using a lower quartile benchmark for unexpected standard variable tariff demand costs.
Sutton exhaust-air heat pump commissioning under way after poor trial performance
One Sutton home's exhaust-air heat pump has been fully commissioned after the trial found the standard control software was not activating it, with the fix being rolled out to the other five homes.
Warmer Homes Scotland criteria revised
Scottish ministers revised the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland in August 2022, widening access to the national fuel poverty scheme, particularly for households aged 60 to 75.
Wireless update intended to fix smart meter switching problem
A wireless update in 2022 was meant to fix older smart meters that stop sending automatic readings after a supplier switch, but the Centre for Sustainable Energy says some problems may remain.
- July 2022
Government confirms delivery details of £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme
BEIS has confirmed that the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme will be paid in six monthly instalments from October 2022, setting out how each payment method will receive the discount.
Government response to EBSS technical consultation published
The government has published its response to the Energy Bills Support Scheme consultation, confirming £400 per household in six instalments from October 2022.
Help to Heat collection page first published
The government's Help to Heat collection page, which gathers its household energy grant schemes in one place, was first published on GOV.UK on 29 July 2022.
Online energy efficiency service launched as part of Help to Heat
The government has launched an online service to help homeowners make informed choices on the energy efficiency of their homes, announced alongside final details of the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme.
Scottish Government launches New Building Heat Standard Part II consultation
The Scottish Government has opened a 12 week consultation on plans to stop direct emissions heating systems being installed in new homes and non-domestic buildings warranted from April 2024.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandBoilers and Heating
New Build Heat Standard Part 2 consultation opens
The Scottish Government opened a second consultation on its New Build Heat Standard on 28 July 2022, setting out plans to ban direct emissions heating systems in new buildings from 2024.
Sungrow and TÜV Rheinland co-issued the PID Zero anti-PID solution
Sungrow and TÜV Rheinland have co-issued PID Zero, an anti-PID solution for residential solar systems that suppresses potential induced degradation by day and recovers modules at night.
BEIS Committee publishes report on energy pricing and the future of the energy market
The BEIS Committee has published a report on energy pricing and the future of the energy market, calling for regulatory reform of Ofgem, a social tariff and a home insulation programme.
Which? responds to concerns that support on energy bills is outdated
Which? has called on Ofgem to penalise underperforming energy suppliers and to work with government and suppliers on targeted bill support, saying customers are struggling to understand bills and pricing.
OPSS safety notice issued for Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers with gas grills
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a safety notice covering 127 Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers, requiring their withdrawal from the market over carbon monoxide risk when grills are used with the door closed.
NEA projects 8.2 million UK households could be in fuel poverty from October
National Energy Action has projected that 8.2 million UK households, one in three, could be in fuel poverty from October if the price cap takes average annual bills to £3,250.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme installer guidance published
Ofgem has published version 1.0 of its installer guidance for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, setting out eligibility rules, grant values and the voucher process for MCS certified installers in England and Wales.
ev.energy launches Charge History feature in its app
ev.energy has redesigned the charging timeline in its app, adding a Charge History screen that breaks sessions down by type and shows cost where the company holds that data.
NEA publishes response to Ofgem retail financial resilience and Direct Debit consultation
The National Energy Action charity has told Ofgem that proposed financial resilience rules for suppliers should only go ahead if they do not push up the price cap, while backing stronger Direct Debit rules.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ember analysis attributes 80% of UK wholesale electricity price rise to fossil gas
Ember analysis finds fossil gas caused 80 per cent of the rise in UK wholesale electricity prices between July 2021 and June 2022, with gas adding £93/MWh to a £120/MWh increase.
Where Our Energy Comes FromEnergy Bills and the Price CapStatistics
Welsh Government extends Fuel Support Scheme to more than 400,000 households with £90m investment
The Welsh Government is investing £90m in its Fuel Support Scheme, extending a £200 payment to more than 400,000 low-income households in Wales from autumn 2022.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
High Court found the Net Zero Strategy unlawful
The English High Court ruled in July 2022 that the government's 2021 Net Zero Strategy was unlawful and inadequate for meeting the UK's legally binding 2050 emissions target.
SolarEdge launches Home smart energy ecosystem for three phase installations
SolarEdge has announced a three phase version of its Home smart energy ecosystem, combining a hub inverter, a 4.6kWh low voltage battery and a backup interface for homes with three phase supply.
JRF publishes energy price analysis of July 2022 price cap
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a briefing on the July 2022 Ofgem price cap and new Cornwall Insight forecasts, setting out what low and middle income families are expected to spend on gas and electricity.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationStatistics