The Government has confimed that condensing biomass boilers will qualify for the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
When the final domestic RHI policy was published in July 2013 it was announced that condensing biomass boilers would not initially be eligible for the domestic RHI.
This position, however, was subject to the result of tests being undertaken on behalf of Defra in order to properly assess the potential impact on water quality of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being emitted in the condensate of this type of boiler.
However, government analysis has now revealed that the risk from certain pollutants discharged from such boilers is minimal. Defra has confirmed that while a small amount of PAHs are released in the condensate from condensing biomass boilers the levels should not pose a significant threat to the aquatic environment once they have been through wastewater treatment.
As a result, the Government is now happy to extend domestic RHI eligibility to condensing biomass boilers.
This applies to eligible condensing biomass boilers installed between 15 July 2009 and the launch of the scheme in Spring 2014, as well as those installed after the launch of the scheme.