Heat incentive will help reduce household bills, says CLA

Rural home owners, who can’t economically access a mains gas supply, can benefit from the launch of a new government scheme

Rural home owners, who can’t economically access a mains gas supply, can benefit from the launch of a new government scheme according to the CLA in the North.

The domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme will pay homeowners and landlords for implementing new renewable heat technologies such as biomass and solar, in their homes. It will pay tariffs ranging from 7p to 19p per unit of heat generated for seven years.

The CLA says that while providing a financial incentive for domestic properties to implement renewable heating is to be welcomed, the real boost for those living and working in rural areas will be reduced heating bills in the long-term - particularly for people with no access to the gas grid.

CLA North Director of Policy & Public Affairs Douglas Chalmers said: “We have campaigned for such a scheme for years so we are delighted that rural homeowners can now reduce their heating bills – and also help improve the environment.

“Owner occupiers, landlords and people who build their own domestic properties will receive help to meet the cost of installing wood-fuelled boilers, heat pumps or solar thermal panels, which should reduce heating costs.

To qualify for the RHI, properties will need to have a Green Deal Assessment carried out and have loft and cavity wall insulation installed where applicable.

Mr Chalmers added: “Many homes in the region have no access to the gas grid. Even being just a few metres away from the pipeline can be prohibitively expensive to connect, and so rural dwellers can face disproportionately increasing energy costs. This expanded support should bring environmental and economic benefits. What is not to like?”