What is the Renewable Heat Incentive?

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a Government initiative designed to help people and communities save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. The scheme, which was first announced in 2009, will be run by the energy regulator Ofgem after its official launch in 2014.

What is a Renewable Heat System?

A renewable heat system is any type of installation which allows a property to generate central heating and water heating from a renewable source of energy like the sun.

Am I Eligible for the RHI?

The scheme aims to support all levels of renewable heat generation from domestic to commercial scales. Therefore it is, in theory, open to everyone, including households, landlords, businesses, farmers, schools and hospitals.
To claim the Renewable Heat Incentive you must have installed an operating renewable heat system on your property after July 15, 2009.

Examples of renewable heat systems covered by the scheme are:

Solar thermal heat and hot water
Biomethane injection and biomas combustion, except landfill gas
Biomass heat generation and CHP
Ground source heat pumps
Water source heat pumps

What are the Benefits of the RHI?

Under the scheme applicants will receive a payment based on the amount of heat their system produces.
As well as receiving payments applicants will be able to benefit from reduced energy costs as you will be spending less on gas and electricity bills.
You will also benefit from reduced carbon emissions.

How long will the Tariff last?

All tariffs will run for 20 years.

RHI Premium Payment

As of July 2011, up to 25,000 installations will be supported by a new ‘RHI Premium Payment’ to help people cover the purchase price of green heating systems. The RHI Premium Payment will cover technologies across all of Great Britain. The amount for solar thermal for example is £300/unit.

Those taking up the premium will be eligible for a RHI tariff from October 2012, as will anyone else who has had eligible equipment installed from July 15, 2009.

There will be clear eligibility criteria in order to qualify for a Premium Payment, including:

A well insulated home based on its energy performance certificate
Agreeing to give feedback on how the equipment performs

The Government is expected to publish details of the RHI Premium Payment and how this will apply in May.

How do I Apply?

The Renewable Heat Incentive and the RHI Premium Payment are yet to be launched, so claims cannot be made as of yet.

The RHI scheme is expected to go live in October 2012. It is also worth remembering that any renewable heating system which was installed after July 15, 2009 will be eligible.

Please note – As the full details of the scheme are yet to be published the above information is subject to change.