Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme Launched

The Government has launched the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme to help householders across the country with funding towards the cost of installing renewable heating systems. The new £15 million initiative, which opens to applications today, will support up to 25,000 installations.

Approximately 4 million householders in the UK do not have mains gas and have to rely on more expensive, higher carbon forms of heating, such as heating oil and electric fires. The scheme will mainly focus on these households.

The following technologies will be available through the scheme:

• Ground Source Heat Pump - £1,250 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Biomass boiler - £950 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Air source heat pump - £850 grant (for homes without mains gas heating).
• Solar thermal hot water panels - £300 grant (available to all households regardless of the type of heating system used).

The Government will also provide, for a significant sample of participants, additional meters for their heating equipment.

£3 million of the overall £15 million will be set aside for registered social landlords to improve their housing stock. Details of how to apply for these funds will be announced at a later date.

Householders will need to ensure they have basic energy efficiency measures in place before applying.

Management of the scheme will be undertaken by the Energy Saving Trust and from today an information line and website will go live to provide people with more information. Householders can call 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/RHPP

Grants will be available on a first come, first served basis and the scheme will close on 31 March 2012.