Renewable Heat Incentive

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a UK Government scheme set up to encourage uptake of renewable heat technologies. The technologies the scheme will support are air source heat pumps (ASHP), biomass systems, ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and solar thermal technologies. The Renewable Heat Incentive is the first of its kind in the world.

Domestic RHI scheme

• DECC opened applications in Spring 2014
• The scheme will cover single domestic dwellings and will be open to owner-occupiers, private landlords, Registered Providers of Social Housing, third party owners of heating systems and self-builders (It will not be open to new build properties other than self-build )
  
• It will be open to anyone in these groups who installed an eligible technology since 15th July 2009, provided they meet the scheme criteria for those who have installed a renewable heating system before the launch of the scheme in Spring 2014 and since 15 July 2009 (legacy applications), the date they can submit their application may not be from when the scheme first opens and will be phased over time.
• The scheme will support air source heat pumps (ASHP), biomass systems, ground source heat pumps (GSHP) and solar thermal technologies. The support rates will vary depending on the technology installed

• All applicants are required to complete a Green Deal Assessment (GDA) before applying and to ensure they meet minimum energy efficiency requirements of loft and cavity insulation where required by the GDA

• Any public grants previously received, including RHPP, will be deducted to avoid a double subsidy
• Tariffs will change annually in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI)
• DECC intend to introduce a system of degression to control the costs of the scheme. This is where tariffs are reduced over time for new applications to the scheme. Those who have already secured their tariff will not have their tariff reduced due to cost control.