The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (“RHI”) scheme is closing to new applicants on 31st March 2022. Whilst we are still awaiting the confirmation of the final details from the Government about the closure of the scheme, we already have a good understanding of the plan from the Government’s consultation document earlier in the year, as well as a number of Ofgem workshops we have attended over the past few months.
This is not a drill, nor is it some marketing email designed to encourage you to hurry up and place your order. In fact, we are pleased to confirm that the Government has just announced the successor scheme to the RHI, called the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which you can read more about below.
Here's what we know so far about the proposed scheme closure:
Heat pump systems must be fully commissioned and registered by the MCS Installer (us) on the MCS database (and a certificate issued) by 31st March 2022. The final date that we will be able to physically complete the commissioning and still turn around the handover pack in time, is Monday 28th February 2022.
Application for accreditation under the RHI scheme must be received by the scheme administrator by 31st March 2022
This consequently means you will need a valid EPC:
If your project is a retrofit, you’ll need a recent EPC showing no recommendation for cavity wall or loft insulation
If your project is a new custom build, your property will need to be signed off by building control and the EPC produced
Depending on where you are with your project, you’ll find information below about what you need to do next. There is inevitably going to be a rush as we get towards the end of the scheme, in particular after the new year. We will obviously do everything in our power to accommodate the requirements of all of our customers. However the level of demand in both the heat pump industry and the wider construction industry at this time is unprecedented, and there is also the perfect storm of factors related to Brexit and Covid, all resulting in equipment and labour shortages throughout. As such, we recommend planning ahead to get your project completed as quickly as possible.
I've got my heat pump, but it's not yet installed
If you’re already underway with your installation, or you’ve got the equipment and just waiting on getting in installed, then you’re almost where you need to be. You’ll need to get the installation completed, and then for our commissioning engineer to come to site and commission the heat pump. This will enable us to then raise the MCS certificate and issue the handover pack. Please note our lead time for commissioning bookings at the moment is 4 – 6 weeks, so if you think you’re going to need your commissioning soon, please get a date booked in. You can do this by contacting your account manager to request your commissioning.
I’ve paid my design deposit, but not had equipment delivered yet
If you’ve paid your deposit and we have completed all the design work and produced the technical sign off pack, then it’s important to note the lead times we are currently experiencing. If it is your plan to get the project completed before the 31st March 2022 deadline, then it is important to act quickly. Please note the lead times below:
DNO approval (required prior to delivery of the heat pump), typically 2 weeks but can be up to 12 weeks in certain areas
Heat pump equipment, typically 2 - 3 weeks but some Mitsubishi products are currently on a lead time of up to 3 months. We can offer alternative manufacturers with equivalent performance
Commissioning, 4 – 6 weeks
If you’re not sure what stage you’re at, please contact your account manager who will explain what needs to happen next to progress your order.
I have not yet paid my deposit
As stated above, the purpose of this email is not to hurry you into making a design to proceed with a heat pump. If you aren’t yet decided whether heat pumps are right for you, or you haven’t yet placed your order, then don’t worry, there will be a new scheme in place for you. Please note that the numbers and figures are different between the new grant and the current RHI grant, and this might impact your decision.
If you are determined to complete your project before the RHI deadline, then you’ll need to act fast. Please contact your account manager right away to get the process started. Due to the lead times we are experiencing, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your project on time, however of course we will do everything we can to get the project completed.