Yesterday the Government released the details of the Renewable Heat Premium Payment, a scheme designed to help people to afford renewable technologies for their homes, such as solar thermal panels, heat pumps and biomass boilers. The Premium Payment scheme will be run by the Energy Saving Trust - their information line is 0800 512 012 and website provides more information. The form to register is available now and the opening date for applications is 1st August 2011. 

The Renewable Heat Premium Payment is a cash-limited offer and once the Government reaches its budget limit of £12 million (with a separate £3 million set aside for registered social landlords) it will stop issuing vouchers.

This is the first phase of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which is expected to see 25,000 biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps, and solar thermal panels installed in UK homes. The full domestic Renewable Heat Incentive is expected to launch next year alongside the Green Deal energy efficiency loan scheme.

Heat, in all its forms, currently accounts for 49% of the UK’s final energy demand and 47% of our carbon emissions. If the UK is to reduce its emissions, we must re address the way we heat our homes. Much more needs to be done but the Renewable Heat Premium Payment is a good start.