The Green Homes Grant is making heat pumps even more attractive, according to LG.
Leading provider of energy efficient, renewable energy solutions LG has greeted news from Government regarding the Green Homes Grant positively. The announcement has provided clarification that the Grant can be used alongside the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (DRHI) as an upfront payment to provide an immediate offset for the capital cost of the heat pump, rather than having to wait for quarterly payments to cover this cost.
Government has advised that a Green Homes Grant can be used in conjunction with Domestic RHI (DRHI). In this scenario, the homeowner will first need to apply for a Green Homes Grant and then subsequently can also apply for DRHI. The amount of their Grant is then taken off the value of their projected DRHI payments.
It should be noted that this cannot work the other way around. It will not be possible for claimants to apply for DRHI, or currently be in receipt of DRHI for a specific installation that constitutes a measure under the Green Homes Grant, and then subsequently apply and receive a Grant.
As DRHI applies to a specific installation, identifiable via an MCS certificate, a homeowner could choose to have a further renewable heat measure using the Green Homes Grant. For example, they could already have a heat pump attracting DRHI but then, under the Green Homes Grant, opt for the addition of solar thermal. The solar thermal installation would then attract a separate MCS certificate.
LG’s Heating Manager Andy Hooper says this announcement will help bring clarity to what has been a slightly confusing picture: “Since it was first announced, understanding the introduction of the new Green Homes Grant has been evolving bit by bit. Whilst the latest interpretation isn’t how we might have hoped it would be interpreted, it is a far better outcome than we feared, so we are pleased to see that the Grant can be used in conjunction with the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, although the grant will be claimed back from the amount of DRHI that a householder can claim. At least claiming the Grant will not now negate the ability to claim DRHI at all. This gives us a better chance to step up the sales of domestic air to water heat pumps across the UK in conjunction with other renewable heating or cooling elements.”
Both the product and the installer need to be MCS certified and, in addition, to receive the Green Homes Grant, the installer must also be TrustMark registered.
LG sees this decision as a boost to its sales of air to water heat pumps, with the company’s well-established LG ‘Therma V’ range of heat pumps already selling well in the UK. There have been a number of new additions to the range, including the new R32 versions of the Therma V Monobloc – of particular interest to specifiers and traditional heating installers who can install this option without the need of having any F-Gas qualifications.
The LG Therma V series of heat pumps comprises a full suite of options – monobloc, splits, and high temperature options. The popular monobloc Therma V air-to-water heat pump operates on the low GWP R32 refrigerant and is available in 5kW to 16kW 1Ø and 12kW to 16kW 3Ø, in a wide operating range of between 10-135Hz and water temperatures up to 65°C without an electric heater. It comes with an energy label rating of A+++ with the latest units incorporating a new type scroll compressor, designed and manufactured by LG Electronics with ‘wet vapour’ injection. The unit has excellent performance at low ambient temperatures – 100% at -7°C.
Heat pumps offer a proven renewables technology – ready to replace the carbon emitting fossil fuel heating and hot water systems in new build homes and in replacement heating installations. The growing interest in AWHPs sees the need is to train a significant number of installers to be able to install heat pumps. LG has stepped up its training efforts at its two training centres – at its head office in Weybridge and at GREenergy training centre in Chesterfield. The courses cover the basics of heat pump technology, design, installation and commissioning, and a practical demonstration of the Therma V R32 Monobloc unit.
The manufacturer also offers a free seven-year warranty for Therma V, providing that the training course has been attended and the commissioning document is returned, as well as minimum system requirements are met.
For more information on the LG Therma V range go to www.lg.com/uk/heating-awhp
For further information on the training available from LG visit www.lg.com/uk
