HEAT PUMP SALES TO HOMEOWNERS SET TO RISE WITH NEW GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE SCHEME
With a new Government incentive scheme, heat pump sales to homeowners are likely to rise. The Heating Helpline gives advice on heat pump installations and how to make sure that they are properly installed – only then will they deliver worthwhile savings on home energy bills.
17 April 2013 – With energy prices forecast to keep on rising, the ‘green’ heating market is continuing to grow and more and more consumers are opting to install renewable technology in their homes – helped by a number of Government incentives. Heat pumps are one of the leading candidates among renewable energy sources, capturing free energy from the environment (from the air, ground or water) to provide low-carbon heating for homes.
A report commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust estimated that if all ‘off-gas’ properties in the UK were fitted with heat pumps it would save 10m tonnes of CO2 each year and cut annual bills by as much as £1.5b. And this technology is certain to get another boost with the introduction this summer of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – a Government scheme to encourage the uptake of renewable heat technologies among householders. Under this scheme households will receive payments over seven years for each kWh of heat produced for the expected lifetime of the renewable technology.
The Heating Helpline says there has been a lack of clarity in the market over the energy saving potential and economic viability of heat pumps, with some instances where poorly installed systems have left homeowners disappointed with the non-existent reduction in their energy bills.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association, who operate the free consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, comments, “When properly designed and installed, however, heat pump systems can significantly cut energy costs for businesses and homeowners, in some cases by as much as 50 per cent.
“With the arrival this summer of the RHI for domestic installations many more ‘off-gas’ property owners will be looking at getting heat pumps installed but we urge caution; this is specialist technology requiring a high level of technical competence for the installation and only tradesmen that have been properly trained should be employed to undertake this work.
“The best way to avoid rogue or incompetent installers is to ensure that the installer is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an industry-led and internationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). All MCS members are closely vetted by the scheme operator to ensure high quality installations and good business practice. Importantly, only MCS installations will qualify for local and Government grants and that will include the new RHI scheme.”
The Heating Helpline provides consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating. On the website homeowners can put in their postcode and it will produce a list of reputable heating engineers in their chosen area. Visit the Heating Helpline website at http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk or call 0800 810 8303.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert. Tel: 44(0)1256 472020;
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010; E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.
B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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