Over 80% of applicants to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme are satisfied with their new systems, according to new evaluation reports published today by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).

The domestic and non-domestic RHI are government financial incentives to promote the use of renewable heat through technologies such as biomass boilers and wind, ground and air source heat pumps.

The schemes provide incentives for consumers to install renewable heating in place of fossil fuels and are open to homeowners and landlords, commercial, industrial, public, not-for-profit and community generators of renewable heat.

The reports show the positive impact of the RHI schemes, with the majority of accredited renewable heat installers reporting that the RHI has been wholly positive in its influence on the renewable heat technology market.

The government has committed to increase funding for the RHI to £1.15 billion in 2021 to ensure the UK continues to make progress towards its climate goals while reforming the scheme to improve value for money, delivering savings of almost £700 million by 2020-21.

Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: “Reforming how we use energy for heating is critical to achieving secure, affordable and clean energy for families and businesses across the country. That is why the government will be pushing a more cost effective, targeted Renewable Heat Incentive scheme for the next five years.”

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock/Kristijan Zontar