The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) launched today 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.
The technologies currently covered by the scheme are:
- Biomass heating systems, which burn fuel such as wood pellets, chips or logs to provide wet central heating and hot water in a home.
- Ground or water source heat pumps, which extract heat from the ground or water which is then used to provide heating and/or hot water in a home.
- Air to water heat pumps, which absorb heat from the outside air, which is then be used to provide heating and/or hot water in a home.
- Solar thermal panels, which collect heat from the sun and use it to heat up water stored in a hot water cylinder
| 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.
To apply for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, you will need a Green Deal Assessment which Synergy Property Services can provide.
To receive free and impartial advice, call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 (England and Wales
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).