The ‘Renewable Heat Premium Payment’
This is an interim scheme to support renewable heat installations before the RHI starts for residential installations in 2014
Who invents these names?
What is it?
It’s like a grant for household renewable heat installations installed after August 2011 and before March 2014 (the household RHI doesn’t start until probably Spring 2014).
How much?
The following levels apply to each installation irrespective of size:
| Heat Technology |
Original level
|
New level from May 2013
|
| Air source heat pumps | £850 | £1,300 |
| Biomass boilers | £950 | £2,000 |
| Ground source heat pumps | £1,250 | £2,300 |
| Solar water heating | £300 | £600 |
A total of just £15m was available for the first phase of the scheme (to March 2012). A further £25m was made available for phase 2 (to March 2013).
The scheme was extended again in 2013 and the payment levels increased with effect from 20th May 2013.
Will everyone be eligible?
No! Except for solar thermal, which is available to any householder, other technologies are only available for households not currently using gas heating.
Householders in England, Scotland and Wales can apply. They must certify that this is their main home and that they have basic energy efficiency measures in place (loft insulation to 250mm and cavity wall insulation, where appropriate).
Both the product and installer must be MCS (or equivalent) certified.
Note also that receiving a Renewable Heat Premium Payment does not automatically mean you’ll be eligible for RHI tariff payments.
Timetable and applications
The scheme started 1 August 2011 was originally scheduled to close on 31 March 2013, but has been extended each time the domestic RHI gets delayed.
Householders can request the RHPP in advance, and once registered, receive a voucher for the relevant amount. They must install the renewable heat system within 3 months for solar thermal and 6 months for all the others. Installations must have been completed by 31 March 2012.
Other requirements
Participants must complete 2 surveys.
Some households will also be selected at random to provide further information via meter installations. Agreeing to this if selected is a condition of the scheme – the meters will be installed free of charge.
For further details:
The scheme is administered by the Energy Saving Trust – see details here.
See the government summary of the scheme here.
