Posted: 9 April, 2014. Written by James Beard
Renewable heating now affordable for millions of homes
The Government has today launched the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (d-RHI) [1]. This incentive scheme pays households for the heating and/or hot water they supply themselves with new renewable heating systems. It is designed to make renewable home heating – such as solar hot water, wood fuel heating and heat pumps – affordable for the UK’s three million homes off the gas grid. On-grid homes are also eligible for the scheme.
REA Chief Executive Dr Nina Skorupska said:
“DECC, Ofgem and industry have been working for years on the Domestic RHI, and its launch today is a major milestone for the Government’s green policy record. Households off the gas grid now have a financially attractive clean energy alternative to oil and electric heating. Already over half a million people have installed solar power in their homes to cut their costs and carbon emissions. Now millions more can do the same with solar hot water, wood fuel heating and heat pumps.”
The REA and the affiliated Solar Trade Association have both worked closely with DECC on the detail of the scheme. The REA’s subsidiary company Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) operates the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), which aims to guarantee a high quality experience for consumers considering renewable energy for their homes. The RECC team are now working hard to make sure customers have the information they need to choose a good value renewable heating system that meets their needs. Only systems installed by companies registered with RECC and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) will be eligible for RHI payments.
REAL Chief Executive Virginia Graham said:
“These technologies can improve people’s lives as well as the environment, but they are also complicated and unfamiliar to many. Customers must do their research into the technologies, their local installers and the d-RHI scheme details to ensure that renewable heating is right for them. Getting quotes from at least three MCS-registered installers is essential to ensure you get the best installation for your home at the best value for your budget.”
Avoiding energy waste by implementing energy efficiency measures should be a priority for anyone looking to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint. Renewable heating systems also perform best in a well-insulated property. The Government therefore requires customers to undergo a Green Deal Assessment in order to register for the d-RHI. If the Assessment recommends loft or cavity wall insulation, these measures must be installed with or before the renewable heating system in order to register for the d-RHI. Customers can find a Green Deal Assessor on the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body (GD-ORB) register [2]. GD-ORB is operated jointly by Gemserv and REAL. Additional sources of information for customers are given in the Notes to Editors [3].
Notes to editors
Customers can also use the RECC website to find local renewable energy installers registered with RECC: www.recc.org.uk/scheme/members
The MCS website provides technical guidance for customers considering renewable energy: www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumers/consumers
Customers can also use the MCS website to find local renewable energy installers registered with MCS: www.microgenerationcertification.org/consumers/installer-search
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) provides detailed information on domestic renewable energy technologies and the support schemes for which they are eligible: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generating-energy
Customers can also use the EST ‘Renewable Selector’ tool to find out which renewable technologies might be appropriate for their home: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewableselector/start
Detailed information on the d-RHI scheme is available on the Ofgem website: www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive