Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP)

The Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme (RHPP) is a government scheme that provides funds to householders, in the form of a one off payment,  to help them buy renewable heating technologies - solar thermal panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers. The scheme is managed by the Energy Savings Trust using a "voucher" based system, in a similar way to the recent boiler scrappage scheme.

Scheme conditions
The scheme is open to householders in England, Scotland and Wales and the property must be the applicants main home.  The building must have basic energy efficiency measures in place, i.e loft insulation to 250mm and cavity wall insulation; where these measures are practicable.
The renewable heat product to be installed must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved and installed by an installer with MCS accreditation. System performance is to be monitored and the householder will be expected to complete surveys and may be chosen to have monitoring equipment installed, which will be provided free of charge.

The funding levels available are:

• Ground source heat pumps - £1250 grant (for homes without mains gas heating)
• Air source heat pumps - £850 grant (for homes without mains gas heating)
• Solar thermal - £300 grant (available to all households, regardless of the type of heating system used)

All installations must be completed and vouchers redeemed by the expiry date on the voucher, or 31 March 2012 - whichever is sooner. No vouchers will be valid beyond 31 March 2012.

Full details regarding the scheme, including application information,  can be found on the EST website.

An additional financial incentive is also offered by Dimplex through the Dimplex Heat Pump Premium Payment.