The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme
The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme will start from April 1st 2011 and pays a fixed amount per year to those who install renewable heat equipment, such as solar heating panels and air/ground source heat pumps.
Payments will be:
Air source heat pumps - Up to 45kW at 7.5p per unit over an 18 year guaranteed.
Ground source heat pumps - Up to 45kW at 7.0 pence per unit over an 23 year guaranteed.
Solar heating panels - Up to 20kW at 18 pence per unit over an 20 years guaranteed.
An MCS accredited installer must do your installation, to enable you to apply for this incentive. Systems fitted today WILL still be able to apply next year when the scheme begins April 2011.
You can find your nearest accredited installer by clicking on 'Request a survey' at the top of this page.
FAQ's about heat pumps
Can air source heat pump be installed to my home?
There are primarily two types of Air to Water Heat Pump – Medium temperature (Flow temp of around 55-60C), these more suited to under floor heating but could be used with conventional radiators that are suitably sized or special low temp radiators.
High Temperature (Flow temp of up to 80C) these systems are more suited for retrofiting to existing properties and colder climates like the north of Scotland.
Can ground source heat pumps be installed to my home?
If you have a large garden or access able land around your home, then a trench can be dug to position the external pipework. We do not recommend using a coiled slinky like some companies, as the extraction rate can lead to the ground freezing. We recommend either a horizontal loop where the tube is laid in the trench flat (similar to under floor heating) 1m apart or bore holes, typically a 100m bore hole will give around 5kW of heat energy.
Your internal plumbing will need to be checked for compatibility and this can be done with a home survey by the installers.
How can you create heat from the air or the ground?
Very simply, common examples of a heat pump used in daily life are refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners. You are taking an ambient temperature and condensing it using a compressor into a usable form. Heat pumps are heat engine which is in reverse.
Do heat pumps work well in the UK climate?
Air source heat pumps are fitted outside your home, which generally perform well all over the United Kingdom. Heat pumps are successfully used throughout Europe as well, with approximately 250,000 heat pumps installed in homes in 2006 alone.
How much do they cost to install?
This is difficult because it isn't a one size fits all technology. Their are many different reasons why installation cost vary, but typically prices installed range from £8,000 - £12,000 depending the type of system and ease of installation to your home.
How long will the systems work for?
A good quality system can typically last upto 25 years with a good service history.
How long between servicing?
Good practice is to have the unit visually inspected yearly and the coil cleaned if need be.
How long will my installation last?
Typically 2-3 days on a good day.
Do you send salesmen round to my house?
No. Our trained technicians are just that, technicians. The complexity of making sure homes are suitable require experience. Our technicians however, will be happy to sit with you and explain the technologies to you.
Will heat pumps contribute towards my central heating?
This depends on the type of set up you install. These types of systems work well with underfloor heating because it runs on lower temperatures than conventional radiator heating systems. Our technicians can discuss your options when surveying your property.
Will you need to change my hot-water cylinder?
No if your water tank is compatible or has a 'twin coil' unused. In most cases, it is recommended that you upgrade your hot water tank when installing heat pumps to allow the system to work at its full capacity. It is important that the selection of the hot water tank is crucial to the overall performance.
How much CO2 will my system save?
Around half a tonne of carbon each year. This is dependant on how much heating you use and how you heat your home at present.
What water temperatures can I expect?
A good proportion of the year your water will be heated to above 50-60° C which is suitable for washing and bathing purposes.
What makes our heat pumps better than your competitors?
They are designed to suit the needs of the property and its occupants. Emphasise that they will be designed correctly to the clients needs, many companies do not size heat pumps properly to match the properties heat losses and hot water requirements.
EXTRA incentives after you have heat pumps installed
Most of us are used to handing our money over to energy suppliers, but under a new scheme one energy company is now paying its customers.
Good Energy, the 100% renewable electricity supplier, launched its pioneering HotROCs scheme to reward customers generating and using their own renewable heat from solar heating panels. Under the scheme, customers are paid 4.5p for every unit (kWh) of heat they produce.
Good Energy estimates the amount of heat generated based on the system's expected performance, taking into account influences such as the angle and orientation of your solar panel installation, latitude geographically and the capacity of your solar panels.
The HotROCs scheme is funded by sales of gas, which is offered as a dual fuel tariff only to all existing and new customers wanting to make the switch. Good Energy started supplying gas in November 2008 after customer feedback and extensive market research showed that a majority of Good Energy customers would prefer to buy their gas from Good Energy rather than other suppliers.
This is the first, and the only, renewable heat incentive offered by any supplier. We have set a benchmark for the industry and for Government while also financially supporting our customers to reduce their own emissions.
Get a heat pump quote
We will inspect and tailor a quotation to fit your individual needs and supply you with a premium quality heat pump system which will benefit you for many many years.
Beware anyone quoting without surveying your home on-site. Simply quoting a one size fits all price like some heat pumps companies, inevitably ends up in the customer paying more than necessary
We only promote the highest quality and best performing heat pumps technology available. All our installers adhere to strict quality criteria and have extensive experience in domestic and largescale installations.
For people who want a pure green home, this is probably the closest they will get to it.
