Renewable heat is an alternative form of heating generated from sources that releases much less CO2 into the atmosphere. To encourage more people to heat their own homes and their water the Government has created the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), a financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat and get people to switch their systems over.
This document is for the domestic RHI only, launched 9 April 2014, and for consumers primarily who are looking to install a renewable heat technology. The Renewable Heat Incentive for domestic properties is to be run alongside the Green Deal. Before taking part you will be required to undergo a Green Deal Assessment and get an Energy Performance Certificate (some exceptions to this for landlords can be found on Ofgem’s website). There may be a requirement for you to have loft and cavity wall insulation installed also.
The RHI payments are based on the heat demand of the property and payments are received for 7 years.
The aim of the Scheme is to make sure the consumer is able to pay off the cost of installing the system by the payments. Anybody that wishes to invest in buying and installing eligible technologies should be able to be confident that the cost of their investment will be recovered.
Consumers can expect to continue to benefit from the reduced energy bills after the RHI payments have finished. The RHI is for buildings on and off the gas grid but if you are on the gas grid then you would be expected to save more on bills.
The RHI will last for 7 years for all eligible renewable technologies and payments will be received quarterly for the quarter that has just passed.
The lifespan of the equipment is due to be longer than 7 years giving you a reduction on your energy bills after the RHI payments cease. Savings on bills are expected to continue for 20 years after installation.
The full list of eligible technologies is available to see on the Ofgem website and is known as the PEL. You should check here first if you have any doubts over the eligibility of your system.
There are some variations on requirements for the different technologies and how payment will work. See below for further guidance.
Biomass boilers and stoves use the energy from burning wood to heat your home. Wood fuel normally comes in the form of pellets or logs, and biomass can be used for both space and water heating. RHI payments are based on the heat demand figure on the property’s EPC for biomass boilers and these systems might require metering.
Further guidance on Biomass Boilers can be found at these links:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/biomass
Things to watch out for:
Solar Thermal systems (solar hot water) use the energy from the sun to heat the water in your property. The hot water is then stored in a cylinder in your home until you are ready to use it. Solar thermal systems heat water only; they cannot be used for space heating. RHI payments are different to the other technologies.
Payments are based on the ‘estimated annual generation’ figure on the system’s MCS certificate and solar thermal systems do not require metering.
Further guidance Solar Hot Water systems can be found at these links:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/solar-water-heating
Things to watch for:
Air Source Heat Pumps take the heat from the air outside into the property making it warmer as it does so. This warm air is then pumped around your home to heat it. Air source heat pumps can be used for both space and water heating. RHI payments are based on the heat demand figure on the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for ASHPs and these systems might require metering.
Further guidance on Air Source Heat Pumps can be found at these links:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/air-source-heat-pumps
http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/air-source-heat-pumps-explained/
http://www.icax.co.uk/Air_Source_Heat_Pumps.html
Things to watch for:
Ground Source Heat Pumps take the heat from the ground outside and brings this into the property making it warmer as it does so. This heat is pumped around your home. Ground source heat pumps can be used for both space and water heating. RHI payments are based on the heat demand figure on the property’s EPC for GSHPs and these systems might require metering.
Further guidance on Ground Source Heat Pumps can be found at these links:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/ground-source-heat-pumps
http://www.icax.co.uk/Disadvantages_Ground_Source_Heat_Pumps.html
Things to watch for:
Figures may differ depending on your own property and individual circumstances.
The tariff rate is multiplied by the annual deemed heat load (kWh) taken from the EPC.
The calculation would look like this:
| Deemed heat demand in kWh | x | Tariff rate in p | / | 100 | = | Annual RHI payment received in £ |
So, if the deemed heat demand is 16,427kWh then:
| 16,427 | x | 6.43p | / | 100 | = | £1,056.26/ year |
This would mean you are paid £264.07 per quarter, and £7,393.82 over the lifetime of the RHI which is for 7 years.
The tariff rate is multiplied by the deemed heat load, taken from the ‘estimated annual generation’ figure on the MCS certificate.
| Deemed heat load in kWh | x | Tariff rate in p | / | 100 | = | Annual RHI payment received in £ |
So, if the deemed heat demand/ estimated annual generation is 2,000kWh then:
| 2,000kWh | x | 19.51p | / | 100 | = | £390.20/ year |
This would mean you are paid £97.55 per quarter, and £2,731.40 over the lifetime of the RHI which is for 7 years.
The calculation for heat pumps factors in the SPF figure/ the electricity used to run the pump, and so the calculation works slightly differently, unless you are metered for payment.
| Deemed heat demand in kWh | x | (1-1/SPF) | x | Tariff rate in p | / | 100 | = | Annual RHI payment received in £ |
So, for a GSHP with a deemed heat demand of 10, 000kWh and a SPF of 3.4 then:
| 10,000kWh | x | (1-1/3.4) | x | 19.10p | / | 100 | = | £1,356.10/ year |
This would mean you are paid £339.03 per quarter, and £9,492.70 over the lifetime of the RHI which is for 7 years.
For an ASHP with a deemed heat demand of 10,000kWh and a SPF of 2.5 then:
| 10,000kWh | x | (1-1/2.5) | x | 7.42 | / | 100 | = | £445.20/ year |
This would mean you are paid £111.30 per quarter, and £3,116.40 over the lifetime of the RHI which is for 7 years.
Your RHI payments are based on the heat demand figure given on your EPC or in the case of Solar thermal the figure from your MCS certificate. These figures would not be used to calculate the sort of savings you would expect to make on your energy bills.
To work this out your installer, prior to installing your renewable heat system, will need to carry out a site survey and look at your energy usage and the fuel used. Following this the installer should be able to calculate the savings you would be likely to make on your energy bills. Savings will differ depending on the main fuel your property uses and can be expected to continue for 20 years, the expected lifespan of these technologies.
Please note for biomass and heat pump systems your household's energy requirements as stated in the EPC and by the installer may differ because they are calculated in different ways.
You must have a Green Deal Assessment and an EPC to register for the RHI.
To claim the RHI you will need:
You will also need to be given a Compliance Certificate from your installer. This document should include all the relevant information regarding your installation and all that you will require to apply for the RHI.
Other instances where further information may be required from you include:
Where consumers have received public grants which have contributed towards installing their renewable heating system then this may affect your RHI payments. The grant is deducted from the quarterly payments spread across the 7 years of the RHI payments. Grants include the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP).
Ofgem hold a list of grants that are classed as publicly funded and will be deducted. You may need to provide proof of your grant to Ofgem at the application stage.
The RHI for legacy applicants is now closed.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an important quality assurance mechanism that sets out both: standards for installers of small-scale heat and power generators; and standards for small-scale heat and power generating products.
To qualify for the RHI your renewable heat technology must be installed by an MCS certified installer in line with the MCS standards. The installer should also provide you with an MCS Certificate. The number from which is required when you apply for the RHI.
The MCS website is a good place to find an accredited installer.
Ofgem will be administrating the RHI and handling all applications. They are responsible, along with DECC, for the RHI regulations. Ofgem’s website provides a wealth of information on the RHI along with fact sheets, essential guides and videos. You will also find here the application form to register for the RHI.
Products installed must be eligible for the RHI and a list of eligible technologies can be found on Ofgem’s website. This is known as the PEL.
Members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code must abide by the Consumer Code designed to ensure high standards of service for domestic consumers. The Renewable Energy Consumer Code is part of Trading Standards Institute self-regulation Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. And it is a requirement of a MCS-certified installer to also belong to a Trading Standards Institute approved code. Therefore your installer should be both a member of RECC and be accredited by MCS.
Check the Renewable Energy Consumer Code website to see which installers are registered and what you should expect from a RECC member.
The owner of the system is always responsible for making the RHI application. Please check if you need to meet any deadlines when submitting your application.
The system will need to be registered within 12 months of it being commissioned. If an applicant is successful payments will be backdated from the date of application. Date of application is taken from when Ofgem received the completed application form containing all the relevant supporting documentation and completed declarations.
In most cases the RHI payments are based on the deemed heat demand figure on the EPC. There will however be other cases where you will need to have a meter installed so you can provide Ofgem with quarterly readings so they can pay you. This is known as being ‘metered for payment.’
Cases where metering is required include:
This should be discussed with your installer before installation and your installer will be responsible for answering the technical installer metering questions (imqS) in the ‘Metering for Payment’ part of the RHI application form.
More on ‘metering for payment’ can be found on Ofgem’s website and the IMQs can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/installer-metering-questions-heat-pumps
Solar thermal systems do not require metering.
The Metering and Monitoring Service Package (MMSP) requires RHI applicants to volunteer to be metered and in return volunteers will be paid a little extra for taking part. This service is only for those with heat pumps or biomass boilers that burn wood pellets and can be counted. MMSP payments will not affect your normal RHI payments.
MMSP may be taken up if you are interested in analyzing your heating data and/ or monitoring your system’s performance for whatever reason. Data is logged and sent to a website portal. Installers may also use the information to check if your system is working correctly and should they find any issues they can have them rectified quickly.
The packages are available on a first come first serve basis, with a limited budget expected to fund approximately 2,500 applicants in the first year with more available in years two to seven.
To get one you would need to buy or lease a Metering and Monitoring Service Package from an MCS installer. There must also be a signed agreement in place between the MCS MMSP installer and the applicant saying that the installer will provide an ongoing support service. The applicant must then register the MMSP with Ofgem. This agreement will be valid for a maximum of 7 years. Installers are required to have access to the data collected through the MMSP so that you can check how the system is performing on behalf of the customer.
MMSP packages can be installed and registered with Ofgem at any point during the 7 years of your RHI payments but will only last as long as your RHI payments do.
Consumers will need to talk to HMRC about whether they will be taxed on their RHI payments.
The RHI is index linked which means tariffs will increase (or decrease) with inflation.
A property with multi systems installed will be considered for one RHI application only. This does not include where there is one system used to heat space and another to heat the water.
The RHI payments are to be subject to degression each quarter depending on the uptake of the RHI in that quarter and if targets have been met. Payments will either decrease by 10 or 20% depending on the volume of the up take. If the RHI is to be subject to degression then the new RHI rates will be published a month before they come into play.
When a consumer signs up to the RHI then this is the rate they will be paid for 7 years, not factoring in inflation.
Currently the Domestic RHI regulations does not allow for third party ownership models however, there are still opportunities under the current scheme rules for third parties to develop financing arrangements with homeowners or occupiers. For example, the homeowner may apply for the Domestic RHI themselves and arrange for the payments to be split between them and the third party. All applications will be assessed on a case by case basis, so eligibility is not guaranteed. Please see Ofgem’s factsheet on this for more information.
Ofgem – Ofgem administrates the RHI and handles all applications and hosts the PEL. Ofgem‘s website also provides lots of further information on the RHI in the form of fact sheets, essential guides and videos.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive
Energy Saving Trust – The Energy Saving Trust is a government funded body who can provide fair and unbiased advice on saving energy. As well as the fact sheets mentioned previously under each of the technologies they have further guidance on: ‘Finding Installers and products’ and ‘Financial support for renewable heat’. ESAS forms part of the EST and is contracted by DECC to handle pre application enquiries on the RHI.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/content/renewables
DECC – The Department of Energy and Climate Change are the government department who put together the framework and the regulations for the RHI. They are currently working on a RHI calculator to help consumers estimate what they might be paid by the RHI.
https://www.gov.uk/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive
MCS - The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an important quality assurance mechanism that sets out technical and process standards for small-scale generation systems. To receive RHI payments your installer must be MCS certified. To find an MCS accredited installer you can search online here:
http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumers/installer-search
Which – Which campaigns to make your lives fairer, provides advice to help you make informed decisions and their services and products put your needs first to bring you better value.
http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/renewable-heat-incentive-rhi-explained/
Yougen – Yougen is an independent website providing practical information and advice on energy
efficiency and renewable energy.
http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/2010/Domestic+renewable+heat+incentive'3A+your+questions+answered/
RECC also has some ‘Top Tips’ for consumers thinking about installing a renewable energy system.
https://www.recc.org.uk/consumers/top-tips