2013 was one of the most successful years ever for Britain’s renewable energy drive; this is a promising position at the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – a new campaign to encourage homeowners to use renewable energy systems.

The launch of domestic RHI is the second part of a two part phase. November 2011 saw the launch of a scheme for the non-domestic sector, providing payments to; industry; businesses and public sector organisations.

The latest published figures for non-domestic RHI also place us on an encouraging path to carbon reduction. There have already been in excess of 4,700 applications under the scheme, more than £38 million paid in support and more than 900 gigawatt hours of heat generated from renewable sources.

Encouraging movements within the domestic sector have also been seen. The renewable heat premium payment grant scheme – to date – has supported the installation of more than 17,000 renewable heating systems by homeowners and social landlords.

So what is Domestic RHI and what does it mean for the industry?

The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which covers England, Wales and Scotland, is a government financial incentive to encourage a switch to renewable heating systems. If homeowners join and comply with the scheme rules, they’ll receive quarterly payments for seven years.

It’s a way to help the UK reduce its carbon emissions and has been labelled ‘the first step to transforming the way we heat our homes’- A Heating revolution.

Being the first of its kind in the world; the UK Government expects the RHI to make a significant contribution towards their 2020 ambition of having 15 per cent of heating coming from renewable sources.

The scheme will cover single domestic dwellings and will be open to owner-occupiers, private landlords, Registered Providers of Social Housing, third party owners of heating systems and self-builders. It will not be open to new build properties other than self-build

It will be open to anyone in these groups who installed an eligible technology since 15th July 2009, provided they meet the scheme criteria.

Converting to a renewable heating system could save homeowners up to 45% on their bill, a study has claimed. The report, by Innasol, said the average UK household now spent a “staggering” £816 on their annual heating bill, and that heating constituted about 78% of UK consumers’ energy consumption.

The key point of difference between alternative heat source choices and traditional gas boilers is that the system temperature is often set at much lower temperatures. This can have significant impact on the suitability and performance of a heating system if the right supporting products are not used.

Radiators and renewable systems
Historically there has been a misconception that radiators are less energy efficient than some other heat emitters when used with low water temperature systems.

In fact modern high performance steel panel radiators work well with low water temperatures, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious developers and home owners.

This has been driven by the introduction of modern insulation materials and standards, bringing significant reduction in heat losses and, therefore it may no longer be necessary to heat water to 80°C in order to achieve a room temperature of 20°C.

A property with a high efficiency heat source, panel radiators and water at 40°C- 50°C uses less energy and will quickly achieve a room temperature of 20°C.

Modern panel radiators need only small volumes of warm water to operate efficiently and so work well with all heat sources. They start performing as soon as the water in the system, and therefore the panel, becomes warmer than the surrounding space. Low water temperature heating systems using modern panel radiators are one of the most efficient ways of using heating energy to deliver warmth.

Innovation in panel radiators means modern units use less steel, have lower water content, utilise convector fins and incorporate individual thermostatic valves; providing efficiency, comfort and versatility.

Development also denotes that radiators no longer need to take up large areas of wall space; however size is a factor when considering low temperature systems.

Radiators for low temperature systems are physically and technically the same as traditional panel radiators, but, the same size of radiator will not produce the same heat output with a low temperature system as it will with a high temperature system. To achieve this you will generally need to fit radiators that have larger surface areas.

Innovative developments in radiator design pack more surface area in a smaller wall space than ever before.

The modern day radiator can also work effectively alongside underfloor heating, and it is possible to use the same heating water for both. The latest SAP 2012 document has specific criteria for energy efficient low temperature heat generators and states that radiators are as efficient as other heat emission systems, such as underfloor heating.

In addition Radiators today are not only compatible with current building methods and skills sets, they are flexible and reactive; responding to the real time temperature needs and reacting to secondary gains e.g. people.

Due to their flexibility, steel panel radiators and convectors are the best way of introducing energy-efficient heat generators into existing properties, with renovation and retro-fit accounting for in excess of 90% of the UK and other major western European markets.

Not forgetting that radiators have undergone something of a renaissance in the last decade or so. In line with people’s aspirations to create beautiful and unique homes that match their taste and lifestyle, the radiator has not been forgotten. Indeed, options in material, colour and design have meant it has become something of a work of art in itself.

Heating our homes is both a necessity and a pleasure. Whilst the summer breeze and sounds of the shore may need to be improvised, warming yourself by the radiator is a similarly pleasurable experience to soaking up the summer sun.

In reality, nobody has found anything better than the radiator. While other types of heating system have emerged as popular options, the steel panel radiator can and does compete on all levels and is still very much the number one choice.