The Renewable Heat Incentive is a government scheme to help introduce renewable heating into our homes
Air source heat pump grants in UK
Currently, the main grant available in England, Wales and Scotland is the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which pays for the energy your new system generates over seven years. The RHI applies to
- Air source heat pumps
- Biomass systems
- Solar thermal systems (solar water heating)
What is the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme?
The Renewable Heat Incentive is a government's scheme to help reduce our carbon emissions. The RHI kicks in after you've installed your air source heat pump (or another eligible renewable heating system) and you get paid for the heat your new system generates.
If you're looking for upfront funding for your renewable heating system, from April 2022 there will be a £5,000 grant for eligible homes for air source heat pumps only. We haven't got the exact details of how to apply but as soon as these are released, we'll update our website.
In Scotland, however, you can apply for an interest-free loan to pay for energy efficiency improvements upfront, including air source heat pumps and more. There are also grants for low-income households in Scotland and in Wales.
Am I eligible for the RHI grant?
To qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive, you need to:
- Generate heat from a renewable source, such as heat pump, biomass or solar thermal
- Have a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate for your system
- Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that's less than 2 years old
- Live in England, Wales or Scotland
How do I apply for RHI?
You can apply for the scheme through Ofgem. Make sure you have these to hand:
- MSC certificate number
- EPD number
- Personal information and bank details
You may need to install a meter that monitors the performance of your renewable heating system. You can sign up to the Metering and Monitoring Service Package (MMSP) at the same time as your RHI scheme. You could then qualify for a lump sum payment and MMSP payments every three months for seven years (on top of your RHI payments).
How much will my RHI payments be?
Your payments will be made four times a year over seven years. How much you receive will depend on your renewable heating system. It's best to check your potential payments using the government's RHI calculator.
Remember that you're also likely to have more money in your pocket through the savings you make on your energy bill. After all, you'll be generating some of your own energy once your renewable heating technology is installed!
Is there an RHI scheme for business properties?
Yes, the Renewable Heat Incentive Non-Domestic scheme provides financial help for renewable heating systems in commercial, public and industrial premises.
