New Government Grants for Heat Pumps from Spring 2022…
You may know that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is coming to an end at the end of March 2022. Don’t worry if you haven’t got your heat pump in time for the RHI though as the government are releasing a new grant scheme called the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which will be open for any heat pumps commissioned after 1 April 2022. Applications can be put in from 23 May 2022 (but you an have your heat pump installed and commissioned before then as long as it is commissioned after 1 April 2022).
Under BUS most households will be eligible for a £5,000 grant towards a new air source heat pump or £6,000 grant towards a ground source heat pump.
Most households and businesses should qualify for these grants as long as they are replacing a fossil fuel heating system. There is no means testing which means that it doesn’t matter how much money you earn or have in the bank as to whether you qualify for a grant. This is all part of the government’s plans to incentivise households to go greener and meet the country’s targets for installing air source heat pumps.
The BUS is for both domestic and commercial properties so businesses can also go green with the same government grants available.
To receive a grant under BUS you must have an MCS registered installer of heat pumps, such as Greencliff Energy Ltd, and as the grants are installer led we will do most of the work for you in getting your voucher and redeeming it for you under the Scheme.
The requirements for getting the BUS grant are as follows:
· BUS is available in England and Wales only;
· there are no metering requirements which means second homes are eligible for this;
· The heat pump must have a SCoP of at least 2.8 (we will assess this when carrying out your survey);
· all plants must be new at the time of application
· The heating system must meet the full space heating and hot water demands (we will talk you through this and design the heat pump to meet these demands);
· Private landlords are eligible but not social landlords
· The scheme does not apply to new build properties unless they are custom or self-build properties – contact us if you are unsure whether your new build meets this criteria;
· The Scheme covers air source and ground source heat pumps. Biomass boilers are only included in certain limited circumstances.
· All installations must be commissioned after 1 April 2022 to be eligible;
· There must be a valid EPC for the property (within the last 10 years) unless it is a custom build;
· The EPC must not recommend cavity wall or loft insulation (unless exemptions apply – evidence that these cannot be installed). If your EPC recommends either of these you will need to have the minimum insulation carried out and then obtain a new EPC.
Please contact Bryony at Greencliff Energy Ltd (hello@greencliffenergy.co.uk or 01237 425618 for more information on whether you might qualify for a grant and to book your free survey if you are interested in installing an air source or ground source heat pump at your home or business.