The recent announcement of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is about to transform the renewables sector, driving the up-take of ‘green’ technologies in homes across the UK as homeowners realise the added incentive of earning extra cash for generating their own heat.

For biomass, this means all eligible installations will receive a cash-back subsidy of 12.2p per kWh for the first seven years that the equipment is used – a rate that is 50 per cent higher than we had anticipated. The scheme also covers biomass installations commissioned since 15th July 2009, to be known as legacy installations.

Homeowners who opt for biomass could see themselves earn £4,867 a year when installing our Compact 35kW boiler, for example, giving them a total pay-back over the RHI’s seven-year deal of up to £34,000. For many off-gas households, this presents an attractive proposition given the rising price of oil. Many home biomass boilers will be log fuelled, which will costs around £700 a year when bought in bulk. However, the equivalent oil system would set homeowners back some £3,500 per year!

Under the RHI, the renewable heat generated by a biomass system will be based on an estimated figure of heat demand from an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Eligible types of biomass are:

•    Biomass-only boilers (covering all solid biomass, including logs and chips)
•    Biomass pellet stove with back boilers

Those applicants who install a metering and monitoring service package can look forward to an extra incentive of £200 per year for doing so, although this is only available to those installing biomass-only boilers.

Where a biomass system is installed alongside another space heating system, such as an existing oil boiler or additional renewable technology, installing a meter for the biomass system will be mandatory. Homeowners can also claim twice through the RHI scheme when installing a biomass system together with solar thermal to heat hot water.

Regulations have also been put in place for biomass systems with regards to air quality and fuel sustainability; however, legacy biomass installations will be exempt from the emissions limits requirements that have been set.

Applicants will need to complete a Green Deal Assessment (GDA) before submitting their applications and must ensure they have met minimum loft and cavity wall insulation requirements, where appropriate, and both the installer and equipment must be MCS certified. Any grants awarded through the Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP) scheme will be deducted to avoid a double subsidy.

Biomass training
Figures published by Ofgem state that 93.12 per cent of all installations carried out under the commercial RHI involved biomass boilers. Based on the excellent tariff rate and fuel costs, the domestic sector is set to grow in the same vein, but more suitably trained installers are needed if we are to keep up with consumer demand. If you have the right heating and plumbing skills, this could be a fantastic new business venture.

At Euroheat, we deliver HETAS courses from our training and exhibition centre, for more information, visit training.euroheat.co.uk

For more details of the RHI for both domestic and commercial applications, download our free guide: www.euroheat.co.uk/ImgShare/1390141690RHI%20Explained.pdf