RHI scheme changes will benefit social housing sector

19 Dec 2014

Panasonic reviews the latest Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme

Under the new regulations, landlords will find it easier to apply to the scheme – which provides financial rewards in exchange for installing renewable heating systems such as air source heat pumps (ASHP) in tenants’ homes.

If social landlords already have Energy Performance Certificates for their properties, and these are less than two years old, they will be able to apply to the scheme without the need for a Green Deal Assessment. This change streamlines the application process, and reduces the costs for landlords.

Given the unpredictable nature of global fuel prices, renewable energy technologies are fast becoming a preferred alternative for landlords upgrading the heating systems in their properties.

Panasonic Heating and Cooling Systems

Benefits of heating systems like the Aquarea

Highly-efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective heating systems like the Aquarea benefit landlords, tenants and the environment.

can help reduce a household’s running costs by 60%
reduces carbon footprint by 65%

Marc Diaz, Panasonic UK and Ireland Country Manager: One way to help lift households out of fuel poverty is to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes. Air-source-heat-pumps like our Aquarea range can often be the answer. They have a low maintenance profile which helps to keep annual running costs down, contributing to the significant cost savings on energy bills that can be made in comparison to other heat and hot water systems powered by fossil fuels.

RHI pay owners for renewable heat they generate

The RHI will pay owners of renewable energy heating technologies (including air source heat pumps, ASHPs) for the renewable heat they generate. This means that by replacing the gas, oil, direct electric or solid fuel heating systems within existing housing stock, landlords could benefit from tax-free payments which are guaranteed for seven years, for each property in which a heat pump is installed.

The Government expects the RHI to make a significant contribution towards their 2020 ambition of having 12% of the UK’s heating needs serviced by renewable energies.

Electricity is used to power the Aquarea system; however the advanced inverter technology used is so energy-efficient that the output in KiloWatt (kW) terms is more than five times the input power (per 1kW of electricity used). This is an impressive Coefficient of Performance (COP) and places the Aquarea in a really strong position among its competitors. It is also a strong performer in cold outside temperatures, even at minus 15°C.

Link for more information on the Aquarea range