The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) is a government financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat. Switching to heating systems that use naturally replenished energy can help the UK reduce its carbon emissions.
People who join the scheme and stick to its rules, receive quarterly payments for seven years for the amount of clean, green renewable heat their system produces.
The scheme’s open to anyone who can meet the joining requirements. It’s for households both off and on the gas grid. People off mains gas have the most potential to save on fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.
The Renewable Heat Incentive has two schemes – Domestic and Non-Domestic. They have separate tariffs, joining conditions, rules and application processes. We administer both. Each application can only be to one of the schemes. To decide which, consider the below information, alongside our factsheet ‘The Renewable Heat Incentive – Domestic or Non-Domestic?’ in the publications and updates section at the bottom of this page.
Before applying to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (Domestic RHI) you’ll need to check your heating system is accepted and that you meet the scheme’s property criteria. This page explains what you’ll need to show you can meet as a homeowner.
For a summary overview, you should also see our Domestic RHI general eligibility checklist.
If you installed your heating system early (before the scheme opened on 9 April 2014), there are some differences that apply to you. See these at Installed before Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive opened?
Four types of eligible heating systems
There are four eligible renewable heating system types. See these and find out about their requirements at Eligible heating systems in the Domestic RHI.
Heating system requirements
Microgeneration Certification Scheme certification
The heating system must be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified. All heating systems must have an MCS certificate and be installed by an MCS certified installer. For local accredited installers, see the MCS website.
The heating system must have been installed from 15 July 2009 onwards
This is the date the scheme was announced. If your heating system has a commissioning date before this (check the date on your MCS certificate), you can’t apply. It’s when your installer tested and signed off the system.
No part of the system used to produce heat must have been used before the first commissioning date
No relevant equipment can be second hand. To find out which parts they are, see Relevant parts.
You must apply within 12 months of the commissioning date
After your heating system is installed you have 12 months to apply, starting from the commissioning date on your MCS certificate. If you installed before the scheme opened (9 April 2014), you must apply in the first year, before 9 April 2015.
You must contribute to the cost of the heating system or its installation
If your heating system was paid for entirely by a grant or other funding that you don’t have to repay, you won’t be able to apply for the Domestic RHI. A loan is counted as your own resources, as you’re liable for payments.
If you did not pay for your heating system or its installation due to funding, please see Making a financial contribution.
Other property eligibility criteria
Ownership
You must either own or occupy the property the heating system is in.
Timing of commissioning of the heating system
The heating system must be installed after the property is first occupied, unless the property is an ‘eligible new-build’.
Eligible new-build (self-build)
A new-build property is any property that had a renewable heating system installed as its first heating system, before it was first occupied. Systems installed in new-build properties will mostly not be eligible for the Domestic RHI. They’re only eligible when the property was built using the labour or resources of the first owner. The first and all subsequent owners (and part-owners) must be individuals not organisations. That means if you’re a property developer or a social landlord, you can’t apply for properties you’ve built incorporating a renewable heating system. To find out more, see Eligible new-build.