UK unveils plan to pay people for green heat generated in their homes; qualified systems include biomass heating systems, ground or water source heat pumps, air to water pumps, solar thermal panels; tariff for biomass systems is £0.122/kWh
Allison Oesterle
April 9, 2014
(press release)
–
The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) launched, offering homeowners payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems
A new and innovative Government scheme launched today will pay people for the green heat they generate for their homes.
The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is the world’s first long-term financial support programme for renewable heat, offering homeowners payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems in their properties.
The scheme is open to everyone – home owners, social and private landlords, and people who build their own homes. It is available to households both on and off the gas grid.
Minister for Energy Greg Barker said:
This is the first scheme of its kind in the world – showing yet again that the UK is leading the way in the clean energy sector.
Not only will people have warmer homes and cheaper fuel bills, they will reduce their carbon emissions, and will also get cash payments for installing these new technologies.
It opens up a market for the supply chain, engineers and installers – generating growth and supporting jobs as part of our long-term economic plan.
The technologies currently covered by the scheme are:
Technology
Tariff
Air-source heat pumps
7.3p/kWh
Ground and water-source heat pumps
18.8p/kWh
Biomass-only boilers and biomass pellet stoves with integrated boilers
12.2p/kWh
Solar thermal panels (flat plate and evacuated tube for hot water only)
19.2 p/kWh
Only one space heating system is allowed per property but homeowners can apply for solar thermal for hot water and a space heating system.
The guaranteed payments are made quarterly over seven years for households in England, Wales and Scotland. (Northern Ireland has its own RHI scheme). The scheme is designed to bridge the gap between the cost of fossil fuel heat sources and renewable heat alternatives.
The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has already backed the scheme, and says its introduction could make 2014 a breakthrough year for renewable heating.
Mike Landy, head of on-site renewables at the REA, said:
Domestic RHI is set to be one of the highlights of the Government’s green agenda in 2014. It will mean that renewable home heating is not just environmentally sensible, but also financially attractive.
To find out more about the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, to book a Green Deal Assessment or to receive free and impartial advice, call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 (England and Wales) or Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 (Scotland), or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
For further details about the scheme including eligibility criteria and how to apply visit www.ofgem.gov.uk/domestic-rhi.
For more details on the non-domestic scheme and free information on how to apply, visit the
Ofgem website or call 0845 200 2122 (non-domestic RHI enquiry line open Monday to Thursday 9 am to 5 pm and to 4.30 pm on Fridays).
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