Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is a government scheme that offers payments to those that install qualifying renewables based systems and equipment. Air source heat pump heating systems are eligible for RHI payments provided the ASHP installed is accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the installer of the unit/system is an MCS Accredited Installer.  There is a domestic RHI Scheme and one for the non-domestic market.

The Schemes were set up to encourage the installation of qualifying products that reduce the carbon footprints of households and businesses.  In principle, the amount paid is designed to cover the difference in cost between a traditional fossil fuel heating system and one that uses an ASHP, PLUS a return on that up front investment.  Payments can be considerable – up to just over £2,000 a year on larger systems.

Following a successful application to the Scheme, payments will be made for 7 years through quarterly “instalments”.  The amount you will receive depends upon a number of criteria and you will know the approximate amount that you might receive under the Scheme prior to purchasing equipment or a system.  Principally, the more renewable energy you produce (heat in the case of an ASHP), the more money you will receive.  Demand for heat is dictated by the heat loss from your house and this will be calculated using the MCS approved methodology.

All of our ASHP units are MCS Accredited and carry an Energy Performance Rating that makes them eligible for RHI payments (provided the system that they form part of complies with MCS installation standards and rules). In order to gain MCS Accreditation, our air source heat pumps undergo stringent testing to prove their very high efficiency.  If efficiency standards are not achieved, MCS Accreditation is not possible.

Information on the domestic and non-domestic RHI schemes is available on government websites and links to the relevant websites are as follows and there are also “Help Lines” listed below:

Domestic RHI Scheme Information

Non-Domestic RHI Scheme Information

Help Line Contact Details

Energy Saving Trust
Telephone: 020 7222 0101
Monday to Friday – 8am to 8pm
Saturday – 9am to 5pm

Energy Saving Advice Service
Telephone: 0300 123 1234
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday, 10am to 2pm