Various schemes run by the government and energy companies (ECO) have been developed to encourage take-up of high efficiency or low carbon heating solutions.
Plumb-Line has the required certifications (MCS, PAS2030:2019 and TrustMark) demonstrating we have the capability to operate under these schemes to a high standard. As a customer you can be confident in our ability as a surveyor and installer, as well as in the way we complete the administration for the schemes.
Green Homes Grant
The Green Homes Grant was open to applicants for six months until 31 March 2021. It enabled homeowners in England to get vouchers worth up to £5,000 (or £10,000 if on certain means-tested benefits) to pay for energy efficient or low-carbon heating measures.
We are continuing to install air source heat pumps, hybrid heating systems and solar thermal systems for customers who have received their vouchers.
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme opened in 2014 and is a financial incentive from the UK government to encourage people to switch to renewable heating systems. It helps them to recoup the cost of the initial investment by paying out a sum of money every quarter for seven years. The amount paid depends on the amount of renewable heat that the heating system produces.
From April 1st 2022, the Renewable Heat Incentive will be replaced with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The new scheme allows home owners and landlords to receive £5,000 towards the cost of installing heat pumps (and in some circumstances biomass boilers) to replace fossil fuel heating systems.
First Time Central Heating (FTCH) Scheme
The First Time Central Heating Scheme has been created to fund the installation of central heating systems into homes that do not have, and have not previously had a central heating system. The scheme is designed to increase energy-efficiency, reduce heating bills and improve living conditions and well-being for people on low incomes.
Plumb-Line is an accredited installer for the First Time Central Heating Scheme as we have been independently assessed to ensure that we meet the high quality of service standards required.
To qualify for the First Time Central Heating Scheme you must be either a home owner or a tenant in a privately rented home, which either has no heating or one of the following heating systems: storage heaters, fan heaters, convectors or plug-in heaters, or stand-alone gas fires and wall heaters.
More information about the First Time Central Heating Scheme: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/first-time-central-heating-ftch-checklist-0
ECO – Energy Company Obligation
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme aimed at reducing carbon emissions and tackling fuel poverty.
Energy efficiency measures, including wall or loft insulation, are funded by the larger energy suppliers who have targets to meet depending on their share of the energy market.
The ECO scheme is designed for people on low incomes living in their own property, in rented property or social housing. To find out more go to: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/eco
“This week your team installed an Air Source Heat Pump in my house under the terms of the Government’s Green Homes Grant Scheme. I am writing to say how very impressed my wife and I were with Mark, Lewis and Kevin. Not only were they extremely professional in the work that they carried out, but they were also very considerate about our needs.”
Jimmy, Northamptonshire, March 2021
