UK Domestic Renewable Heat Update – October 2014

Latest data available for the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive covers the period from launch to the end of September 2014. The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) launched on April 9th 2014 and is a UK Government scheme to encourage the use of renewable heating technologies. Under the scheme, householders receive quarterly payments for a period of 7 years based on the amount of renewable heat their system produces. Figures from the scheme show renewable heat installations in the UK continuing to grow.

Domestic RHI GrowthNew Domestic Installations by Technology

Key Points From September 2014

Legacy Applications Continue to Dominate

The Domestic RHI has had 12,301 applications in less than 6 months. Applications continue to be dominated by legacy applications. Legacy applications are for systems installed prior to the launch of the scheme on April 9th 2014 and account for 81.33% (10,004) of applications to date. Only 18.67% (2,297) of applications are for installations that took place since the launch of the scheme. It is new applications that give us an indication of current activity in the renewable heat market.

New Installations Continue to Grow Month on Month

The number of installations applied for under the scheme have been increasing month on month after an understandably slow start. This trend continued in September for the 5th month running.

New Domestic Installations Month on Month Growth

Biomass Accounts for the Largest Share of New Installations

New Domestic Installations by TechnologyBiomass has accounted for 40% of new installations since the launch of the scheme on 9th April. This is a big increase when compared to the share biomass achieved in recent years. Biomass continues to do very well from the Domestic RHI, although September saw slightly lower installation numbers than the preceding month with 240 new biomass applications vs 243 in August.

Air Source Heat Pumps Strong in September

Air Source Heat Pump GrowthAir source heat pumps have been the dominant domestic renewable heating technology over the last few years. They have been the second most popular technology so far for new installations under the Domestic RHI. September was a strong month for new Air Source Heat Pump applications with the number of new installations jumping from 161 in August to 270 in September.

Ground Source Heat Pumps Continue their Slow Ramp Up

Ground Source Heat Pump GrowthGround source heat pumps are only 7% of new installations under the Domestic RHI but they continue to ramp up slowly. September saw another month on month gain.

New Applications by Installed Technology

New applications are for systems installed since the launch of the scheme on 9th April 2014.

Technology Applications Accreditations
Number % Number %
Air Source Heat Pump 779 34% 540 31%
Ground Source Heat Pump 163 7% 93 5%
Biomass 911 40% 778 44%
Solar Thermal 444 19% 344 20%
Total 2,297 100% 1,755 100%

Total Applications by Installed Technology

Total applications include both new applications and legacy applications.

Technology Applications Accreditations
Number % Number %
Air Source Heat Pump 4,699 38% 3,711 37%
Ground Source Heat Pump 2,057 17% 1,549 15%
Biomass 2,497 20% 2,208 22%
Solar Thermal 3,048 25% 2,580 26%
Total 12,301 100% 10,048 100%

Our Domestic Renewable Heat Updates page is updated monthly with the latest figures, reports and graphs on domestic renewable heat activity in the UK and numbers from the Domestic RHI.

If you would like to find out more about the Domestic RHI, you might find our Domestic RHI Guide useful.

A Note on Graphs Images and Figures Used in this Update

This update is based on statistics released by DECC on the uptake of the Domestic RHI. If you wish to use graphs etc. from this update, you are free to do so and do not need specific permission. We would ask that you credit the source of the images by linking to this update.