Renewable energy.
Ground source heat pumps are ideal for homes which are far from the mains grid as there is minimal maintenance, and no fuel deliveries required. They also make an excellent choice for properties which are looking to lower their home carbon emissions, They are a highly economical and efficient renewable energy solution, even more so than air source heat pumps, but can be more challenging to install.
Are there grants available?
There are various schemes that can help fund or part fund this type of renewable energy. The Government offers the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and a number of grants to incentivise the adoption of ground source heat pumps in the UK.
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
This is a government fund that pays heat pump owners a tax-free quarterly income. Spanning over seven years, the generous RHI income is based on the amount of renewable energy a ground source heat pump produces.
This incentive is designed to encourage people in the UK to use renewable heating systems. It aims to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, achieve net-zero targets and consequentially improve air quality.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
The ECO is a grant for retrofitting ground source heat pumps into social housing properties. It places legal obligations on larger energy suppliers to fund efficiency measures for domestic energy users. The amount of ECO funding provided depends on how much carbon will be saved.
Thanks to the significant carbon reductions that ground source heat pumps can achieve – particularly against carbon-intensive fossil fuels – an ECO heat pump grant provides an attractive upfront subsidy to further offset project costs. It can be utilised in addition to the RHI.
The Green Homes Grant
This is another way to get your ground source heat pump installation cost funded by the government. As part of this grant scheme, homeowners and landlords in England (not applicable to Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland) can receive home improvement vouchers of up to £5,000.