Unfortunately we are still waiting for the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) to be confirmed and implemented.  In the meantime, Phase 2 of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme is currently open.  Please find details below:

Renewable Heat Premium Payments: Facts provided by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (accessed 15.05.2012)

What is it all about?

The Renewable Heat Premium Payment voucher scheme is a government scheme that gives money to householders to help them buy renewable heating technologies - solar thermal panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers.  This is a short term scheme making one-off payments that will also allow us to learn more about what people think of these technologies and how they perform in a variety of conditions.

Who can apply?

For solar thermal products, any householder in England, Scotland and Wales can apply.

For ground to water, air to water or water to water heat pumps, and for biomass boilers, householders without gas central heating in England, Scotland and Wales can apply (in other words those who are not connected to the gas grid and currently rely on fuels such as oil, liquid gas, solid fuel or electricity for their heating).  All successful applicants will have to meet certain simple conditions.

What are the conditions?

Your house must be your main him and it must have basic energy efficiency measures in place.  This means you will need to confirm you have loft insulation to 250mm and cavity wall insulation, where these measures are practical.  The renewable heat product you will be installing must be listed under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and be installed by someone registered under the scheme, or equivalent.  Visit the MCS website for details.

If  you are installing a heat pump, you will receive 80% of your voucher value when you submit a valid claim, which must be accompanied by a signed checklist from your installer setting out whether your installation is 'meter ready'.  You will receive the final 20% either following a visit from the metering team to check that the installation is really 'meter ready' and they will install a set of equipment or if your installer has been trained to install monitoring equipment and installs it on our behalf.  If you have indicated that you are not 'meter ready' you will receive the final 20% at the end of the scheme.  All installations must be complete and vouchers redeemed by the expiry date on your voucher or 31 March 2013 - whichever is sooner.  No vouchers will be valid beyond 31 March 2013.

How do I apply?

Anyone can pre-register their interest with the Energy Saving Trust from 2 April 2012 or by phoning them on 0800 512 012 for information.  Applications will then be accepted from 1 May 2012.  If you meet the conditions you will receive a voucher.  You then have a set number of  months to redeem the voucher by returning a signed version with a copy of the invoice and a certificate from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

How can I prepare?

First you might like to make sure you have appropriate energy efficient measures in place -see above.  Carry out research to see which renewable heat technologies might work for you.  Shop around for quotes from different installers and check if you need planning permission or permits if it is a substantial installation.

Will I get the Renewable Heat Incentive too, when it comes in?

People who have installed the kit under the Premium Payments will also be eligible for support through RHI providing they meet the eligibility criteria of the full RHI scheme, as will anybody else who has installed eligible equipment since 15 July 2009.

Important 

This is a summary of the full conditions.  For further information please consult the Energy Saving Trust website under 'Renewable Heat Premium Payment Phase 2'.