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‘My home runs on the power of a lightbulb’

November 28, 2024

An architect whose home runs on the equivalent power of a lightbulb has designed low energy properties which are sending electricity back to the National Grid.

A four-bedroom house and a pair of two-bedroom apartments in West Kirby, Wirral, designed by Colin Usher have now been completed and are occupied by tenants.

The house, which cost £350,000, and the flats at £250,000 each, received energy performance certificate scores of 105%.

Mr Usher designed and built his own home nearby 12 years ago which costed £15-a-year to run initially.

“Obviously everybody lives in a different way,” Mr Usher, who practises as MicroArchiTecture, said.

“But the great thing is that they’re all using much less energy than they would otherwise expect to.”

One tenant, Robin, now pays about £10-a-month in energy costs in the winter months.

He said: “Last winter, we were living in a conventionally heated house and of course the heating charges went through the roof.

“When we got our first electricity bill here it was quite a shock, but a very nice shock.”

Heat is retained in the homes by airtight construction, triple glazing and 200mm of insulation in the floors and wall and 400mm of roof insulation.

A ventilation and heat recovery system pumps moisture out of kitchens and bathrooms and passes it through a heat exchanger to warm cooler incoming air.

Batteries allow electricity to be stored for future use with about 75% sold back to the National Grid on sunnier days.

 

Mr Usher was asked if homes like this could be constructed with conventional builders rather than specialists in insulation and eco-technology.

He said: “I think, increasingly, it will be.

“There’s some really good schemes that are actually beginning to happen, even now, being sponsored by energy companies and things like that.”

Mr Usher created eco-friendly homes at Liverpool-based John McCall Architects for 30 years before retiring from the practice in 2018.

At his own home, he now makes a profit of almost £500-a-year by selling excess electricity generated back to the grid at peak times.

“Although the design of the homes is informed by the need to optimise net zero performance, they do not sacrifice anything in order to achieve this,” he said.

“The technology is now so advanced that you need next to no human intervention or behavioural changes to have zero fuel bills – you can heat, light, cook and live like normal.”

E.ON Next pay £14.5m for prepayment billing failures

November 20, 2024

E.ON Next has paid £14.5 million after failing to provide final bills and refund customer credit balances to prepayment meter customers.

An investigation by the energy regulator, Ofgem, found almost 250,000 prepayment meter customer accounts were affected between February 2021 and September 2023 due to an error within its billing system, which E.ON Next self-reported to Ofgem. 100,000 of the accounts were also in credit.

As a result of the issue, prepayment customers who transferred to another supplier or terminated their contract did not receive final bills within six weeks, as required under Ofgem’s rules. E.ON Next also subsequently failed to make compensation payments of £30 or £60 as required under the Supplier Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSoP).

Because they did not receive a final bill, affected customers were also unaware of the credit remaining on their accounts, worth £51 on average, and were not provided a refund automatically.

As a result of these failures, and in recognition of the impact on its customers, many of which may have faced financial difficulty, E.ON Next has agreed to pay a total of £14.5million in compensation and redress payments, with each customer account receiving on average £144. This includes £4.7million in credit refunds, £6.6million in GSoP compensation payments, and an additional £3.2million in compensation to affected customers.

Where it has not been possible to trace a customer, E.ON Next has agreed to make additional payments to the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Fund, which funds projects and schemes to support energy consumers, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

In addition to the compensation and redress package, E.ON Next has also agreed to voluntarily write off debt held by almost 150,000 prepayment meter customers who closed their accounts with the supplier between February 2021 and September 2023.

All affected accounts who were able to be identified have been contacted by E.ON Next, and the company has since updated its billing systems and processes to resolve the issue, and ensure final bills are sent to prepayment meter customers.

Beth Martin, director for consumer protection and competition at Ofgem, said:

“Prepayment meter customers are more likely to face financial difficulties, and during a period where households have been facing a significant cost of living crisis, it’s unacceptable that consumers did not receive refunds for credit that was owed to them, or final bills they are entitled to.

“E.ON Next has demonstrated an understanding of the significant impact this issue may have had on its customers, and it’s encouraging that they self-reported the issue and have worked with us to resolve it, and compensate affected customers to put things right. The action to write off debt will also offer affected households’ peace of mind.

“We are committed to driving up standards in the retail market so each and every customer gets the service they deserve from their energy company. If we see companies failing to act in the interest of their customers, we can and will take action.”

Opus Energy to pay £7 million for overcharging business customers

November 13, 2024

Opus Energy has agreed to pay more than £7 million in refunds, redress and goodwill payments after identifying it overcharged almost 88,000 non-domestic customers between 2003 and 2023.

The non-domestic supplier had two faults in its billing system, meaning customers were temporarily on the wrong tariff or their billing periods were incorrectly duplicated. The faults were initially identified during an audit, after which Opus Energy voluntarily reported itself to the regulator.   

These two faults led to 87,825 customers being overcharged over a 20-year period. While 93% of accounts were overcharged by less than £50 in total, one customer, who has since been refunded, overpaid £102,000.

Opus Energy has since resolved the technical faults and will pay £5.5 million in refunds to affected customers. An additional £1.56 million will be paid in goodwill and redress payments. The supplier has committed not to recover amounts from those customers who were undercharged as a result of the system faults. 

It has identified all affected accounts and has processed refunds automatically for current customers. Former customers will be contacted to receive refunds where the refund due is £2.50 or greater. Any unclaimed refunds and refunds below £2.50 will be paid to the Energy Redress Fund. Accounts still supplied by Opus Energy have already been refunded. 

Jacqui Gehrmann, deputy director of retail compliance at Ofgem, said: “All energy consumers should be able to trust their supplier to provide accurate bills and charge them only what they owe. 

“While things can go wrong, we expect suppliers to identify issues quickly. So, it’s concerning that these billing issues weren’t spotted sooner.

“Many businesses have struggled with the high cost of energy in recent years. Any instance of a customer overpaying, no matter how small, is unacceptable. 

“We’ve worked closely with Opus Energy in recent months to ensure the issues are rectified, and that customers affected are refunded and compensated swiftly.”

While the error is a serious matter, the regulator has taken into account that Opus Energy has cooperated fully with Ofgem’s compliance engagement and has taken steps to address the failings. Had the company not engaged proactively and resolved the issues quickly, the redress package sought would have been higher.  

Any funds being issued as part of “redress” payments are managed by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme. Charities, and some social landlords, can apply to bid for some of these funds, to pay for projects with a primary purpose of delivering energy efficiency advice to vulnerable residents. Energy Projects Plus is pleased to have delivered multiple project through this Redress Scheme, including our current “Warm and Well” initiative, focussing on supporting residents to increase the warmth of their home, to improve their health and wellbeing.

Key takeaways from the UK’s COP29 address

November 12, 2024

The United Nations 29th annual Climate Change Conference of the Parties (“COP”) is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The BBC reported live, as delegates representing most of the planet, made their opening addresses to the Conference, highlighting their achievements, and setting out their targets to take further action to cut global carbon emissions, and curb Climate Change.

The BBC’s Key takeaways:

  • Starmer said there are “two paths” on climate change, one of inaction and one that is “fixed firmly on the opportunities for tomorrow”
  • He adds that this is an opportunity for investment, better jobs and developing the tech of the future
  • Starmer used his first public address at COP29 to announce a new climate target for the UK – to reduce the country’s emissions by 81% by 2035 against 1990 levels
  • He outlined that in the first 100 days on government he has taken steps to close the UK’s final coal power plant and scrap the ban on onshore wind
  • When questioned by BBC’s Alex Forsyth, he says he won’t dictate how people live their lives but he is clear that reaching the ambitious clean power 2030 mission is vital
  • He ended his speech saying there is a “race on for the next generation of jobs” in the renewable sector, concluding “I want to be in it and I want to win it”

You can read the full address here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-remarks-at-cop29-12-november-2024

Is the UK’s 81% emissions cut target actually new?

“Yes, and no” reports climate and environment researcher, Mark Poynting.

The UK has two sets of targets: international and domestic.

Under its international obligations, the UK has to submit new emissions reduction targets every five years, known as “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs).

The aim is to ensure countries increase their targets over time, and can be held accountable on the global stage.

The UK’s existing NDC was a 68% emissions cut by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. So an 81% cut by 2035 is new, and more ambitious.

But the UK also has legally-binding domestic targets on its path to net zero emissions by 2050.

These are set in five-year chunks, known as “carbon budgets”.

Its carbon budget for the period 2033-2037 had already been set.

And while there are slight technical differences in how they are measured, today’s announcement is consistent with that carbon budget.

 

 

LEAP Boiler Scheme Closes to New Applications

Please note that, with immediate effect, the LEAP Boiler Scheme has closed to new applications.

Any clients who have already been assessed during a LEAP home visit, and referred into the scheme, will still have the offer of funding honoured (subject to survey by a Gas Safe Registered heating engineer).

This closure is simply due to the number of clients being referred into the scheme, which has exhausted funding much earlier than usual.

Part of the reason for this is the fact that other funding sources, e.g. the Energy Company Obligation, have moved away from providing like-for-like replacements for broken, condensing boilers. This has led to an increasing demand for LEAP Boilers.

This boiler scheme is one potential solution available when vulnerable home-owners are referred to Energy Projects Plus in a no-heat situation, with a broken gas central heating boiler. We will continue to accept referrals for clients in this situation, but please help manage their expectations when referring them to us, as there may not be a quick and simple solution available this Winter.

Fuel poverty service to save £200K for struggling households

November 11, 2024

A health and housing ‘trailblazer’ service will support Wirral residents in need to pay their bills and improve their wellbeing in the process.

The scheme, funded by Wirral Council’s Public Health team, aims to reduce the health impacts of fuel poverty and extreme temperatures in homes via a new fuel poverty service.

Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council, said:

The ongoing rise in energy prices and the continued cost of living crisis have led to a sustained increase in households struggling to afford heat and electricity.

Fuel poverty, which means being unable to heat your home to a safe and comfortable standard, can have a profound impact on health, particularly affecting elderly people, young children, and those with pre-existing conditions.

 Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council

The new service will be delivered by Energy Projects Plus. During a one-year pilot, Energy Projects Plus will:

  • Provide advice and support to households living in fuel poverty
  • Work with health services to target potentially vulnerable households with details of support available
  • Deliver energy efficiency advice sessions in community venues
  • Deliver talks to community groups around the health impacts of fuel poverty
  • Provide and install small and medium energy measures (ranging from DIY draughtproofing to heating system repairs) to at least 100 homes

The service is projected to achieve more than £200,000 per annum in fuel bill savings for residents.

Peter Owen, Chief Executive at Energy Projects Plus, said:

Empowering members of the community to be more energy efficient is at the heart of what we do at our charity. We’re thrilled to be taking part in this trailblazer project and delivering our new service, to help residents reduce bills and keep warm – especially during the colder months.

 Peter Owen, Chief Executive at Energy Projects Plus

Alongside the fuel poverty service, further investment in local services to support residents experiencing fuel poverty includes:

  • The recommissioning of the Ask Us Wirral information and advice service who will continue to support residents with income maximisation and debt advice
  • Extra resource dedicated to the Healthy Homes team with a focus on damp and mould specifically – in the form of three full time employees
  • Extra resource dedicated to the temporary homelessness team to ensure families and individuals find and secure suitable accommodation – in the form of two full time employees
  • Establishment of the Community Voluntary and Faith (CVF) winter preparedness group to collectively support residents and communities through the colder months.

The programme was devised following a research project undertaken by Wirral Council’s Public Health team where residents welcomed qualitative researchers into their homes and shared their experiences of how fuel poverty was affecting their lives, health and housing conditions.

Cllr Stuart said:

I want to thank our residents who have worked with our Public Health team, helping us better understand fuel poverty and its effects on people in our borough. This research has been key in shaping our new fuel poverty service, delivered by Energy Projects Plus.

This programme will ensure that Wirral residents experiencing fuel poverty can properly heat their homes, protecting their health and wellbeing and that of their families.

 Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council

Do you need support with fuel bills?

Residents can self-refer and call Energy Projects Plus direct on 0800 043 0151 or they can request a call – Contact Form (jotform.com)

Residents can also be referred via other agencies: Referring Clients to Energy Projects Plus | Energy Projects Plus (epplus.org.uk)

Did you know that your family, friend, neighbour or loved one could be eligible for an average £3,900 extra a year through Pension Credit? Find out more, and apply, here: Pension Credit: Overview – GOV.UK.

You can read more about the ethnographic research project that informed this programme in a blog on the LGA’s website: Wirral Council: using ethnographic research and partnership working to tackle fuel poverty | Local Government Association.

“Have Your Say”

October 17, 2024

There are several requests for comment and feedback available right now. If you’d like to have your say on any of these issues, you’ll find more details below:

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

OFGEM

“Call for evidence: data-matching and benefit letter evidencing routes in ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme”

We are calling on views and evidence from all interested parties to help us shape our thinking on methods of evidencing Help to Heat Group membership under ECO4 and low-income group membership under the Great British Insulation Scheme.

We are seeking written comments to these questions by 11.59pm on Monday 11 November 2024. Please send comments to ECO@ofgem.gov.uk.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

OFGEM

“Refreshing our Consumer Vulnerability Strategy”

We are consulting on our proposals for a refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy.

Everyone is welcome to share their views and help us develop the updated strategy.

We particularly encourage responses from: 

consumer groups
charities
suppliers
network companies
consumers

You can learn more, and respond through this webpage: www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/refreshing-our-consumer-vulnerability-strategy

Closing date = 05/11/2024

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

“Public consultation over world’s largest tidal power scheme”

  • First public consultation for Mersey Tidal Power project
  • Formal planning process has also begun
  • ‘First of a kind’ project could provide clean, predictable energy for 120 years and power hundreds of thousands of homes
  • Consultation to include events and new website
  • Project could create thousands of jobs and a new walking and cycling route across the River Mersey

You can learn more, and respond through this website: https://lcrlistens.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/merseytidal/

Closing date = 15/11/2024

LEAP Boiler Scheme Returns for Winter 2024-25

October 10, 2024

We are delighted to confirm the welcome return of the LEAP Boiler Scheme, to support vulnerable, low-income homeowners to receive a fully funded visit from a Gas Safe Register heating engineer, to assess a recently-broken (i.e. broken down within the past 12 months, or exhibiting an intermittent fault) wall-mounted, gas central heating boiler.

Wherever possible the heating engineer will fix the boiler during their visit. If the boiler is beyond economical repair, the heating engineer will book themselves back in to conduct a 2nd visit, during which they’ll replace the boiler.

Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and is expected to run through to the end of March 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

LEAP Boiler Criteria 2024-25

Homeowners with a broken boiler and in a “no heat situation” must meet the following criteria:

1a) Claiming means tested benefits

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Guarantee Credit
  • Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit
  • Universal credit
  • Housing Benefit

Or

1b) Total annual household income less than £31,000

And

2) There must be someone in the household who is:

  • Aged 65 or over, or
  • Aged under 5, or
  • Suffering from one of the following health conditions:
    • Cancer / Terminal illness
    • Cardiovascular condition
    • Respiratory condition
    • Disability (affecting mobility)
    • Mental Health Condition

Referral Process

  • Refer your client to us using the “General Referral Form”, found here: www.epplus.org.uk/referrals
  • Please make sure on your referral that you select the option confirming the client is in a no heat situation, plus any vulnerability present in the home.
  • Upon receipt of your referral we will check client eligibility for a LEAP home visit. It is only during the home visit that a LEAP assessor will register the client as being eligible for support through the LEAP Boiler Scheme. This cannot be actioned outside a home visit.

For further information, or to request an update on a referral you’ve submitted, please call our Save Energy Advice Line free on 0800 043 0151, or email us at advice@epplus.org

To refer yourself for consideration you can use the above contact details, or complete a “self-referral” by clicking here.

Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey: July 2024

October 7, 2024

Ofgem has published the interim findings from their Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

Here is an overview of the main points:

  • overall satisfaction with energy suppliers has continued to increase, rising to 78% in July 2024 from 73% in January to February 2024
  • satisfaction with customer service (71%) has increased since the last wave of the survey, and is at the highest level seen since September to October 2021
  • consumers’ experience of contacting their supplier has improved, with 70% finding this ‘easy’ in July 2024, compared with 65% in January to February 2024
  • 8% of survey respondents reported making a complaint, consistent with January to February 2024, with satisfaction levels with the overall handling of the complaint remaining low (47%)
  • 71% of those who reported that they ran out of credit or fell behind on energy bills for affordability reasons said they had contact with their supplier about this, compared with 60% in January to February 2024
  • 18% of those who had run out of credit or fallen behind for affordability reasons reported that their supplier proactively contacted them to discuss this, a return to levels reported in August to September 2023

Methodology

Fieldwork for the survey was conducted from 10 July to 1 August 2024. 

The data reported reflects customers’ perceptions of their supplier and the service they receive based on surveying 3,750 domestic energy bill payers across Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The survey used a mixed mode data collection, including face-to-face interviewing with digitally excluded respondents. Quotas were set on age, gender, region, Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), ethnicity and payment type to achieve a sample representative of households in Great Britain. 

A sample boost of prepayment and standard credit customers was also included in this wave of the survey. These customers were boosted to increase the sample size and allow for more robust analysis of these groups. 

You can read this interim report on Ofgem’s website, here: www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/energy-consumer-satisfaction-survey-july-2024-interim-findings 

Goodbye to Coal

September 30, 2024

The UK’s last coal-fired power station closed on the 30th of September, nearly 142 years after the world’s first coal-fired power station was built in London, by Thomas Edison.

“It’s a really remarkable day, because Britain, after all, built her whole strength on coal, that is the industrial revolution,” said Lord Deben – the longest serving environment secretary.

The point of no return

In 2008, the UK established its first legally binding climate targets and in 2015 the then-energy and climate change secretary, Amber Rudd, told the world the UK would be ending its use of coal power within the next decade.

Dave Jones, director of global insights at Ember, an independent energy think tank, said this really helped to “set in motion” the end of coal by providing a clear direction of travel for the industry.

But it also showed leadership and set a benchmark for other countries to follow, according to Lord Deben.

“I think it’s made a big difference, because you need someone to point to and say, ‘There, they’ve done it. Why can’t we do it?'”, he said.

In 2010, renewables generated just 7% of the UK’s power. By the first half of 2024, this had grown to more than 50% – a new record.

The rapid growth of green power meant that coal could even be switched off completely for short periods, with the first coal-free days in 2017.

You can watch how Britain is generating electricity today, at Gridwatch

 

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