Government announces green heating grants scheme
Investors in buy-to-let properties could benefit from a new government scheme aimed at getting more people to install eco-friendly heating systems.
The Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme will see £15 million made available to households that wish to become more energy efficient.
Grants of up to £1,250 will be offered to go towards the cost of installing renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps and solar thermal panels.
Owners of buy-to-let properties could take advantage of the scheme to improve the energy efficiency housing stock, making them more appealing to tenants, with £3 million of the funding reserved specifically for landlords.
Open for applications from August 1st until March next year, the scheme is expected to support up to 25,000 installations.
Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, commented: "Our field trials have shown high levels of householder satisfaction with heat technologies. When people have the kit installed in their homes they really see the benefit.
"Of course there is still more to be learnt about how to get the most out of the technologies – but the more they're out there in people's homes, the more they become part of daily life.
"Without a doubt, the main barrier that prevents people from taking the plunge is the up-front capital cost. This is a great start in overcoming this obstacle."
The scheme will be targeted towards properties currently without gas central and relying on less-efficient methods such as heating oil and electric fires.
Households currently without mains gas heating can access a grant of £1,250 for a ground source heat pump, £950 for a biomass boiler and £850 for an air source heat pump.
However, a £300 grant will be available for solar thermal hot water panels to all households regardless of the type of heating system used.
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