Renewable Energy Subsidies - The Heat is on

Friday, 04 November 2011

Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP) provides one-off subsidies to householders to help them buy renewable-heating technologies, such as solar thermal panels and heat pumps. Applications can be made through the Energy Saving Trust.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change recently predicted that the RHPP scheme would be £4.5million underspent by its closing date.

It has also indicated that it is unlikely that any remaining budget will roll over to the second phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive, meaning the money will be lost.

Various levels of funding are available through the RHPP, which are for micro-certification scheme ( MCS) accredited products only.

Any type of home is eligible for a grant of £300 for solar thermal energy.

Homes without mains gas heating can qualify for £850 towards air-source heat pumps, £950 towards a biomass boiler or £1,250 for ground-source heat pumps.

As a prerequisite, applicants must demonstrate minimum levels of energy efficiency in their homes. They may also be asked to monitor the renewable-energy system and provide feedback.

Ian Nicol (pictured right), managing director of Active, is encouraging householders to consider applying for the RHPP scheme.

“We are increasingly being told about the benefits of using renewable energy to power our homes,” he said.

“While switching to green energy offers savings in the long term, and vastly improves our carbon footprint, many people are uncertain due to the investment costs.

“The RHPPs are a fantastic mechanism to help subsidise the cost of moving to the different systems.

“This is a prime opportunity for households to think ahead and make a positive change.

“There are many solutions available, to suit all types of requirements.

“With the closing date of the scheme fast approaching however, people need to act now to take advantage of these savings.

“Active is an MCS accredited company and has a wealth of experience in reviewing homes to look at where efficiencies and savings can be made. We can design, plan, instal and maintain the most basic or advanced solutions for your home.”

The company works with many clients — including homeowners, developers, architects and social housing agencies — to create the comfortable living and working environments they have envisioned for their properties, using some of the most advanced and efficient technologies available in the world.

It is one of the only dedicated heat-pump installers in Scotland able to design, instal and maintain every element of this type of heating system, including the heat pump itself, solar panels and underfloor heating or radiators, as required.