Second Phase of Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) re-opened on 1st May for all applicants

Published by Space Air Solutions Ltd for Space Air Solutions in Housing

This is a short-term government scheme designed to give one off payments to householders to help them buy renewable heating technologies, such as air to water heat pumps. This scheme will also provide information on renewable technologies and how these technologies perform in various conditions.

Households located in England, Scotland or Wales, who do not have access to mains gas for their heating are able to apply as well as social landlords. When installing an air source heat pump the RHPP scheme will give you a £850 voucher. You will receive 80% of the voucher value when you submit a valid claim, which must include a signed checklist from the installer to say whether the installation is ‘meter ready’. The final 20% will be granted when the EST metering team visits to check that the installation is ‘meter ready’ and install the monitoring equipment. If you are not ‘meter ready’ you will receive the final 20% at the end of the scheme. Please note that all installations must be completed and vouchers redeemed by either the expiry date of the voucher or by 31^st May 2013, which ever is sooner.

The RHPP scheme is also for available for social housing and communities in the form of a competition, as DECC are increasing the RHPP budget from £15 million in the first phase to £25 million in the second phase. DECC will be running a series of awareness seminars to improve the quality and quantity of these bids. The details about how to apply for these competitions will be announced at a later date.

There are certain conditions that have to be completed in order to receive the £850 voucher. One of which is that the house must include basic energy efficiency measures, where practical. This includes installing loft insulation to 250mm and cavity wall insulation. The renewable heat product, must be listed under Microgeneration Certified Scheme (MCS) and installed by someone who is (MCS) certified or equivalent and a free heat meter must be attached to the equipment, supplied by the Energy Saving Trust (EST). Once the equipment is ready for use, you will need to fill out two questionnaires, one when the equipment has been installed and another after a follow up period.

If you would like to apply for Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme (RHPP), potential applicants can pre-register from 2^nd April 2012 on the Energy Saving Trust website or by phoning 0800 512 012. They will be accepting applications as of 1^st May, if they meet certain conditions. They will then receive a voucher, which, can be redeemed within a set number of months by returning a signed version of the voucher with a copy of the invoice and certificate from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Before applying ensure that you have planning permission or permits if it is a substantial installation.

There is more support available when the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme (RHI) is confirmed. Those who have installed kit under the Premium Payments Scheme will also be eligible, providing they meet the criteria of the full RHI scheme.

To arrange a visit to Space Air’s fully operational air source heat pump showroom based in Guildford, Surrey, call: 01483 252 252.