The Homeowners Guide to the Renewable Heat Incentive

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a UK scheme to encourage homeowners and landlords to switch to more renewable energy solutions. These solutions help Great Britain meet their renewable energy targets and lower carbon emissions.

RHI gives homeowners the opportunity to receive quarterly payments for up to seven years. The payments will be based on the amount of renewable heat produced by their heating system.

What Is The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)?

RHI is broken into the domestic renewable heat incentive and the non-domestic renewable heat incentive. Each scheme has its own joining requirements, rules and tariffs.

For the domestic, typically the main identifier is if your homes renewable energy system can receive a domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

You may only apply to one of the schemes, so we recommend reading through Ofgem’s factsheet to see which you are eligible for. However, here is a brief overview of the eligibility requirements.

Assignment of Rights (AoR)

To further incentivise the UK to adopt the use of renewable energy sources, the government has introduced the “Assignment of Rights” (AoR).

Through AoR, an “investor” can cover the costs of the renewable energy purchase, installation and maintenance and will be assigned RHI payments. Either a homeowner or a landlord can have an investor under the AoR, but the homeowner or landlord needs to be the owner of the renewable energy system.

Am I Eligible For Domestic RHI?

RHI, although often mentioned when talking about air source heat pumps (ASHP), is not solely geared towards these, though they are a top renewable energy solution and highly recommended by both Work Work and the government.

Besides the installation of a renewable energy source, there are some other application requirements such as an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) number. Working with a registered air source heat pump installer, such as Work Work, helps to ensure you meet these requirements.

If you have an eligible renewable energy solution and you’re a:

  • Homeowner
  • Self-builder
  • Private landlord
  • Registered provider of social housing
  • you can apply for RHI.
    Don’t forget about the other joining requirements, though!

What Can I Earn Through an Air Source Heat Pump?

A number of factors determine your payments, such as current tariffs, metering and your heating needs. You can check for a more precise number, on the government’s renewable heat calculator.

Can Work Work Help Me Apply For RHI Grant?

Application Assistance

We’d be more than happy to help! When Work Work installs a renewable energy solution for your home, we determine if you are eligible for RHI payments and complete the application on your behalf.

Request a FREE home heating survey!