Heralding what is all set to be a new era in home heating, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has today launched the first phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive.
The Government wants to encourage households to take advantage of the Premium Payment scheme, which will see up to 25,000 installations of renewable heating technology eligible for support by a one-off payment to help people cover the purchase price of the systems.
With around £15 million available to householders who install from 1 August 2011, the scheme will offer grants of up to £1,250 to help with the upfront cost of installing a range of renewable heating technologies, including solar thermal panels, biomass boilers, and ground and air source heat pump.
Anyone interested in installing renewable heating – and making use of the Premium Payment – will need to ensure that their property has basic energy efficiency measures in place before applying for the grants, which will be available on a first come first served basis.
The Premium Payment is aimed at the four million or so households not currently heated by mains gas and the scheme will run from 1 August 2011 until March next year.
Grants will be available in the form of vouchers, and those eligible for the scheme will just need to cash in their voucher with an approved supplier.
DECC plans to closely monitor the success of the technologies deployed through the first phase of the scheme, to help them prepare for the full Renewable Heat Incentive when it launches in autumn 2012.
The incentive is expected to boost the UK’s fledgling renewable heating sector, as well as helping to reduce householder’s energy bills.
For further details you can call 0800 512 012 or visit the Energy Saving Trust.
I’m interested in some form of renewable energy to supply hot water to my home. I’m based in Shipley West Yorkshire.
Hi Carol. You could look in to a renewable energy technology called solar thermal, which is also known as solar water heating. Alternatively, heat pumps can supply heating and hot water for your home. By investing in some form of renewable heating/hot water technology you’ll also be able to benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.