Heating and cooling are essential in every household However, traditional heating methods such as gas and oil are costly and harmful to the environment Air source heat pumps (ASHP) can help address these issues by providing an energy-efficient alternative ASHPs work by absorbing heat from the outside air and transferring it inside the home With the growing popularity of ASHPs, governments worldwide are offering grants to make this technology more affordable for homeowners In this article, we will take a closer look at the grants available for air source heat pumps.
Before we delve into the grants available for ASHPs, it’s important to note the significant savings that come with using this technology On average, households that switch to an ASHP can save around $300 to $1,500 annually on their energy bills It’s a substantial amount that can significantly impact a homeowner’s finances over time.
The first grant type available for ASHPs is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) RHI is a government-funded program in the UK that promotes the use of renewable heating technologies such as ASHPs RHI pays homeowners quarterly for seven years The amount paid is based on the heat requirements of the home and the energy generated by the ASHP As of April 2021, homeowners can receive up to £10,000 over seven years via RHI This grant is only available for those who get their ASHP installed by an accredited installer The homeowner can also apply for the grant before or after installation.
Another grant type available in the UK is the Green Homes Grant Scheme (GHGS), wherein homeowners can receive a voucher to cover two-thirds of the cost of their ASHP installation The government launched this scheme in July 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic This grant aims to help improve the energy efficiency of homes and create jobs in the process GHGS also covers other energy-saving measures such as insulation and window upgrades grants for air source heat pumps. The maximum amount that homeowners can claim through GHGS is £5,000.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is another grant that homeowners can avail of in the UK ECO is a government scheme aimed at facilitating energy efficiency measures in homes The grant funds come from the UK’s top six energy suppliers, and homeowners who meet specific criteria can get free upgrades to improve their home’s energy efficiency ASHPs are eligible under this grant type if the homeowner lives in a park home, a listed building, or a home in a conservation area.
The Renewable Heat NY rebate program is available to homeowners in New York This grant offers homeowners rebates on their ASHP installations The rebate amount varies based on the type of ASHP, the efficiency rating, and the size of the system For instance, a three-ton ASHP with a coefficient of performance of 2.5 can get a rebate of up to $12,000 Homeowners must work with an accredited installer and satisfy other eligibility criteria to receive this rebate.
The Federal Investment Tax Credit is another grant available to homeowners in the USA who install an ASHP This grant offers a tax credit of up to 26% of the total cost of the ASHP installation, labor costs included Homeowners interested in this grant must pay for the entire installation before they can claim the tax credit Since this is a tax credit, homeowners must claim it during their income tax filing.
In Canada, the Canada Greener Homes Grant offers up to $5,000 for homeowners who wish to improve their home’s energy efficiency This grant covers ASHP installations and other energy-saving measures such as insulation upgrades and window replacement Like other grants, homeowners must fulfill eligibility criteria and work with accredited installers for their ASHP installations.
In conclusion, homeowners who wish to switch to an ASHP can benefit from government grants that make this technology more accessible and affordable The grants available vary per country, but most require homeowners to work with an accredited installer and satisfy specific eligibility criteria Before applying for any grants, homeowners must research carefully and ensure that their ASHP installation meets the requirements Making the switch to an ASHP is a long-term investment that can significantly benefit the homeowner’s finances and the environment in the long run.