BURTON Latimer based Griffiths, one of Northamptonshire’s premier installers of renewable technologies, welcomes government help to encourage end users to consider these energy saving alternatives to more traditional forms of heat production.
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was launched to provide a green energy payback for heating systems using renewable energy (such as heat pumps and solar thermal panels) in much the same way as the feed-in tariff did for electricity producing solar PV. It’s paid quarterly over a seven-year period and in most cases will cover the whole cost of installation.
As always with government schemes, certain criteria have to be met. It applies to existing properties and single self-build new homes. The heat pump or solar thermal panels have to be MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved as does the installer. Griffiths were the first installers in Northamptonshire to be MCS registered for heat pumps back in 2008.
The installation property has to meet minimum energy efficiency requirements of loft and cavity wall insulation, where possible. In addition, to apply for RHI, you will need a domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property.
RHI is also available for commercial properties utilising renewable heat producing technologies.
The Daikin Altherma range of air source heat pumps was launched in 2006 and Griffiths have been working closely with Daikin since then to provide local homeowners with these energy efficient alternatives to gas or oil boilers. Heat pumps are now the number one choice for new self-build homes as they provide over four kilowatts of heat for every one kilowatt of electricity needed to run them. They can be used to feed water-based underfloor heating or conventional radiator central heating systems. Running them at a low temperature for longer periods is very energy efficient.
Griffiths also install the Kensa range of ground source heat pumps which are particularly suited to new build properties with plenty of land in which to bury the heat collectors.
Solar thermal, where panels on the roof provide a free supply of hot water, are most suitable for properties that have a sloping roof that faces south and occupants that consume a considerable amount of hot water. To be most effective in the summer months, all the hot water generated one day needs to be used during the next 24 hours. It therefore best suits family occupied homes with multiple bathrooms.
You can contact Griffiths by telephone on 01536 420666, via their website at www.griffithsaircon.co.uk or by visiting their Energy Efficiency Centre showroom at 111 High Street in Burton Latimer between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.