@mjr absolutely agree. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Yes let's draw up government policy to get householders to invest in energy-efficient (at least when the temperature is above zero) heat pumps but let's not recognise them as alternative heating sources in rural areas off the gas grid. I assume those who have both oil and ASHP at the same property will receive the payment regardless of how much of the former they actually use. All seems in line with the regrettable stance our government has taken on climate change - which is to do as little as possible to assist households to change over from their carbon-emitting oil,LPG - and don't even get me (as a former forestry editor) started on the cost to the environment of making and burning biomass pellets!
Those that heat primarily by electricity are not eligible.
Well, that sucks. Another chance to remedy the mains-gas-cheaper-than-most-heat-pumps problem is missed.
Personally i would have preferred if the Energy Bill Support Scheme and the Alternative Fuel Payment scheme never existed.
Much better to have a smaller means tested scheme to help with the immediate cost of living emergency crisis for those in real need whatever their heating.
Then put any remaining money into transition support for heat pumps etc, again means tested or things like supporting domestic manufacturing of green technology in the UK.
We donated our Energy Bill Support Scheme money to charity. We really didn't need it. It would be great to hear of others doing the same if they don't really need the money.
Far too much tax payer money like this is being wasted on those who don't even need it... rather than expanding heat pump take up over the current 30k a year limit on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
To shift some of the current energy pricing from electricity to gas we desperately need the government to introduce an energy social tariff. This is currently being worked on. Then it will be a lot easier as we will have limited the risk of fuel poverty, increasing illness and death in the very short term.
The government need to get a lot smarter when they have a very limited amount of tax payer cash going forward to transition to a greener world. Personally i think giving out non means tested cash isn't helpful...
There are numerous ways in which electricity bills could be biassed in favour of those who are suffering from energy poverty. But neither Ofgem nor BEIS seem to be interested in implementing them, preferring instead to dream up (yet more) support schemes.
One such strategy is called a Block Tariff and is a feature specified when the UK Smart Meter requirements were approved by Parliament in 2013.
Let me explain:
Imagine a Time of Use (ToU) tariff, such as those being offered by Octopus. The price per kWh can change according to the half-hour period in which the electricity is used. I'll draw a stylised time/cost graph to demonstrate this.
The Block Tariff sits on top of an existing ToU structure. It sets a consumption level, averaged over a number of time periods. Usage which exceeds that threshold has an additional cost applied to the bill.
In the next illustrative graph, theBlock Tariff is imposed for 3 hours during the early evening peak-demand period. Usage of more than 4kWh between 5-8pm is charged at a 5p/kWh premium.
Households with heavy use at peak times will pay a premium. This can be used by Energy Suppliers to reduce the overall cost of electricity.
Remember, this feature is standard in all Smart Meters, and available for use by domestic Suppliers. Bizarrely, Ofgem's current stance is that it will not be until 2025 before they might require all Suppliers to offer a basic ToU tariff.
What's the point of the UK having an available mechanism to provide lower bills during an energy crisis, only to ignore it?
We donated our Energy Bill Support Scheme money to charity. We really didn't need it. It would be great to hear of others doing the same if they don't really need the money.
We donated some, possibly all, payouts to the local food bank, but I lose track of all these similarly-named schemes. If we get AFP, we will probably do the same, but there are people who need it who won't get it if there are tests. I read on another site that AFP will be paid based on no one in a LSOA (an area of about 1500 people) saying they used mains gas in the March 2021 census. If true, lots of oil/wood/solar homes will miss out.
I'd welcome suggestions of where to donate to help them.
We donated our Energy Bill Support Scheme money to charity. We really didn't need it. It would be great to hear of others doing the same if they don't really need the money.
We donated some, possibly all, payouts to the local food bank, but I lose track of all these similarly-named schemes. If we get AFP, we will probably do the same, but there are people who need it who won't get it if there are tests. I read on another site that AFP will be paid based on no one in a LSOA (an area of about 1500 people) saying they used mains gas in the March 2021 census. If true, lots of oil/wood/solar homes will miss out.
I'd welcome suggestions of where to donate to help them.
We donated to this charity, originally setup by nPower
@jeff I asked Octopus last year about where to donate, with the same thing in mind, and they suggested the following - the first for those struggling; the second related to debt. In the end I gave the money to CHAS - (Children's Hospice Association Scotland) because they support many parents who can't work, and struggle to pay bills, whilst looking after their terminally ill children.
@kev-m good for you! Can I ask who is your electricity supplier? Also, did you enquire of your supplier or did your supplier just transfer this without any work on your part?
@kev-m good for you! Can I ask who is your electricity supplier? Also, did you enquire of your supplier or did your supplier just transfer this without any work on your part?
Supplier is British Gas and it was totally unsolicited. They sent me an email today.
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