Domestic RHI launches in UK

The UK's domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme opened on 9 April.

The financial incentive scheme, designed to encourage uptake of renewable heating among domestic consumers, is targeted at homes off the gas grid as 'those without mains gas have the most potential to save on fuel bills and decrease carbon emissions', according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

It will cover single domestic dwellings and will be open to homeowners, private and social landlords and self-builders.

The launch of the scheme follows extensive consultation on how a financial incentive would work best for householders and landlords.

Biomass heating systems which handle fuel such as wood pellets, chips and logs are one of the technologies covered by the incentive, along with ground/water source heat pumps, air to water heat pumps and solar thermal panels.