As we become increasingly aware of our carbon footprint and its drastic effects on the planet, we are turning to green alternatives to heat our homes. The government is doing its bit to encourage people to switch to renewable heating solutions like heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar panels.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme and the upcoming Green Home Grant Scheme are some initiatives that are being used to make the UK more environmentally responsible.
To benefit from these schemes, you have to install a green heating solution, which means it is the perfect time to invest in a heat pump.
If you wish to replace your energy-hogging heating system with an efficient and renewable heating solution, heat pumps are an excellent choice.
When you invest in a heat pump, you ensure that your home is heated safely and responsibly as you embrace greener and more efficient way of life.
Types of Heat Pump
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
ASHPs extract heat from the ambient air and help cater to your heating and hot water requirements both domestically and commercially. It may sound a bit far-fetched, what with our lovely chilly weather, but air source heat pumps can absorb heat from temperatures as low as -15° C.
Air source heat pump installations are more common as they are easier to install and require less space as compared to their ground source counterparts. They provide an excellent return on investment in the form of energy savings, RHI payments and the new Green Homes Grant vouchers (more on that below).
Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
GSHPs use a series of pipes or loops that are concealed underground to absorb heat from below the earth’s surface. The temperatures here are more stable, making the heat extraction more viable. As they use the heat energy trapped below the earth’s surface to cater to your heating and hot water requirements, they too are highly efficient with great ROI.
The only downside of installing ground source heat pumps, however, is that it requires more space for placing the loops underground, which means its suitable for only larger properties. Also, it requires a bit of digging which means that costs could be slightly higher when compared to air source heat pumps.
Although, with the government subsidies and initiatives in place, not to mention the savings you’ll make in your energy bills, the initial cost offsets itself over the years.
The bottom line – when you invest in a heat pump, it basically pays for itself in the long run.
The Green Homes Grant Scheme
Now that we are all caught on the types of heat pumps, let’s take a look at why now is the right time to invest in one!
The Green Homes Grant initiative is scheduled to launch at the end of September wherein the government will incur two-thirds of the cost for all the energy-efficient home improvements you make amounting to the value of £5,000 per household.
Heat pump installation, insulation and double glazing are some of the eligible improvements under the scheme. For obvious reasons, gas boilers aren’t included in this grant. The Green Homes Grant Scheme is a part of a £3bn plan to reduce carbon emissions.
The grants will be provided to eligible homeowners in the form of vouchers which can then be used to make energy-efficient home improvements.
The Treasury claims that these vouchers could help an average family make annual savings of up to £200 on their energy bills.
Primary and Secondary Categories of Home Improvement
To obtain a green voucher under the scheme, homeowners will have to submit an online application highlighting the energy-efficient measures they plan to make in their homes.
These measures will be classified into primary and secondary categories. In order to be eligible for the vouchers, homeowners must install at least one improvement from the primary category.
The primary category includes low carbon heating technologies like:
- Heat Pumps (ASHPs and GSHPs)
- Biomass Boilers
- Solar Panels
… and home insulation measures like:
- Loft Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Floor Insulation
- External Wall Insulation
- Roof Insulation
If you apply for at least one efficient improvement from the primary category, you will be able to claim a voucher specified under the secondary category.
This includes:
- Double or Triple Glazing (applicable only if you are replacing single glazing)
- Installation of Energy-efficient Doors (applicable only if replacing doors installed before 2002)
- Draught-proofing
- Installing Smart Heating Controls like Thermostats
Contact JL Phillips to Invest in a Heat Pump
As air and ground source heat pump installation falls in the primary category, it is the perfect opportunity for you to upgrade/replace your existing heating system.
This will pave way for you to make substantial savings on your energy bills as you benefit from both the RHI scheme and the Green Homes Grant Scheme all while reducing your carbon footprint. Moreover, you can secure funding for the secondary home improvements you make, which is a win-win!
If you are looking for professional air source heat pump installers, get in touch with us today!
Click here for a free quick quote!
