The heat used in UK homes, public buildings, businesses and factories is responsible for around 50% of all energy consumed. Over 80% of this heat is produced by burning fossil fuels, while over a third of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to produce heat.

DECC has stated that ‘Increasing renewable heat is key to the UK meeting its renewable energy targets, reducing carbon emissions, ensuring energy security and helping to build a low carbon economy.’ The RHI was launched in November 2011 for the non-domestic sector with the extension into the domestic sector planned for 2012.