2010 has seen the beginning of what has been coined a 'green revolution.' Cameron Holroyd looks at the impact political legislation has on the heating and hot water industry.
With heat accounting for 47 per cent of all UK CO₂ emissions, the renewable heating industry is poised to play a fundamental role in achieving the Government's target to cut carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. In fact, this year's 'Renewable Energy Action Plan' confirmed that the UK must find 12 per cent of its heating requirements from renewable sources if it is to meet its targets for 2020 alone.


The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made it clear that, in order to do this, all areas of society must be encouraged to adopt renewable alternatives, and new legislation implemented this year has shown that driving an affordable, low carbon society is unquestionably an area of major political concern.

Despite huge cuts to public spending, the Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20 saw £860 million worth of funding allocated to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). While the coalition's pledge to be the 'greenest government ever' is yet to be fulfilled, reports have suggested that the RHI alone will encourage more than a tenfold increase of renewable heat over the next 10 years.

Under the RHI, households and communities who produce their own energy from the likes of solar thermal, biomass or heat pumps will be eligible for payments. An inevitable increase in consumer demand means that tradesmen with the knowledge to install renewable products can also prepare to make the most of the RHI.

Those offering verified expertise will naturally be the preferred choice when it comes to installing renewables. In fact, in order to be eligible for RHI payments, both installers and equipment must first be approved under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).


Technology must also comply with the latest legislation. As demand increases and the market expands, products are constantly evolving to meet both growing demand and stringent government guidelines. For example, changes made to Part L of the Building Regulations in October will deliver a 25 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions for each new property when compared to previous Part L requirements.

For those looking to make the most of RHI payments, the first step is to choose the right renewable heat system: one that matches a site's requirements, will produce sufficient energy to meet its demands, and is a viable investment. Solar thermal currently stands as the most cost-effective and affordable renewable technology on the market.


Technological advances in the field have long overcome the old view that the UK's climate does not lend itself to solar thermal efficiency. Custom-designed for the Northern European climate, technology now exists that provides top quality performance whatever the weather, making solar thermal a genuinely efficient and economical green solution for the UK.
Solar thermal is also becoming an increasingly versatile option for applications with potential design issues.

From end-users to installers and merchants, people across the industry will be well placed to experience substantial benefits, both environmentally and economically, from the RHI.