HETAS has welcomed the announcement by Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that condensing biomass boilers will be included in the forthcoming domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Commenting on the news, HETAS chief executive Bruce Allen said: "With over 90% of funding under the non domestic version of RHI allocated to biomass, we're anticipating significant levels of interest from the domestic sector."
The decision by DECC to include condensing biomass boilers in the domestic RHI was taken after tests by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that the chemicals found in in the condensate from condensing biomass boilers should not pose a significant threat to the aquatic environment once they have been through waste water treatment.
As a result the Government has taken the decision to extend the domestic RHI eligibility to condensing biomass boilers, provided they meet the other criteria of the scheme. This will apply to eligible condensing biomass boilers installed between 15th July 2009 and the launch of the scheme in spring 2014 in addition to those installed after the scheme is launched. HETAS has been instrumental in providing support to both DECC, Defra and appliance manufacturers during the research period.
As the only solid fuel and biomass specialists, HETAS is able to provide Microgeneration Scheme approvals for both products and installers - requirements for all RHI applications. Currently there are no plans to provide RHI payments for oil or gas installations, so many installers are already looking to add renewable technologies to their existing skills. HETAS has already been gearing up for the introduction of the domestic RHI and has launched a new technical helpline, and publishes an annual guide with lists of approved appliances and provides regular technical updates for installers.
In preparation for the domestic RHI, HETAS has updated it's H005 biomass course with two new versions. Both courses are mapped and recognised as meeting the National Occupational Standard and the high performance requirements of MCS critical for biomass installer skills. The H005 course is a shorter course and for those who have successfully completed HETAS H003 and H004 courses whereas the five day H005DE version is designed for qualified gas or oil heating engineers who are looking for a direct entry route to the biomass industry in order to enable installations to qualify for the domestic RHI.