The long awaited domestic Renewable Heat Incentive is officially launching today, the Department of Energy & Climate Change has confirmed.

The scheme aims to boost the uptake of renewable heating, offering homeowners payments to offset the cost of installing low carbon systems in their properties.

The technologies currently covered by the scheme include biomass, ground or water source heat pumps, air to water heat pumps and solar thermal.

Minister for Energy Greg Barker said: “Not only will people have warmer homes and cheaper fuel bills, they will reduce their carbon emissions, and will also get cash payments for installing these new technologies.

"It opens up a market for the supply chain, engineers and installers – generating growth and supporting jobs as part of our long-term economic plan."

Only one space heating system is allowed per property but homeowners can apply for solar thermal for hot water and a space heating system.

The guaranteed payments are made quarterly over seven years for households in England, Wales and Scotland. (Northern Ireland has its own RHI scheme). The scheme is designed to bridge the gap between the cost of fossil fuel heat sources and renewable heat alternatives.

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has already backed the scheme, and says its introduction could make 2014 a breakthrough year for renewable heating.

Mike Landy, head of on-site renewables at the REA, said: “Domestic RHI is set to be one of the highlights of the government’s green agenda in 2014. It will mean that renewable home heating is not just environmentally sensible, but also financially attractive.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To find out more about the Domestic RHI visitwww.ofgem.gov.uk/domestic-rhi

To find out more about the Domestic RHI visit