Industry welcomes air-source incentive

UK: The government’s announcement of the long overdue inclusion of air-source heat pumps in the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive has been welcomed by industry.

The non-domestic RHI pays organisations for every unit (kWh) of useful heat produced using eligible renewable technologies. This counts towards the UK’s 2020 renewable energy target and helps reduce the UK’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels.

In addition to the inclusion of air-source heat pumps, this second phase of the scheme also increases financial support for eligible ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems.

The air-source tariff of ASHP has been set at 2.5p/kWh and the GSHP tariff raised 4.3p/kWh to 8.4p/kWh for the first 1314 full load equivalent hours (or 2.6p/kWh thereafter).

Describing the inclusion of air source heat pumps as long overdue, Tony Bowen, president of the Heat Pump Association said: “This is a clear demonstration of the commitment and resolve of trade associations including the HPA to work with DECC for the continued development and extension of the RHI schemes.”