The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have introduced a new Scheme aimed at increasing the efficiency of the performance of biomass boilers including waste wood boilers, and reducing potentially harmful emissions.
The Scheme, entitled the Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme is accredited by HETAS. You may see it referred to as HABMS for short. It is now a requirement of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), that recipients of the RHI payment must ensure that their boiler is serviced at least once a year by a business accredited by HETAS such as Talbott’s Biomass Energy Systems.
These FAQs are to help answer any questions you may have about the HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme, but as the Scheme has only just launched inevitably some aspects are still being worked through and Talbott’s will provide further updates as the HETAS scheme develops.
HETAS Approved Maintenance Scheme
1. I have a biomass boiler system, what do I need to do to comply with the HABMS Scheme?
You need to provide evidence to Ofgem that your boiler has been serviced by an accredited business to continue receiving RHI payments. Please ensure that you have your RHI number to hand as you will need to reference this at your next boiler service to continue receiving payments. Ofgem will be able to provide you with your RHI number if you cannot find it. HETAS will issue you with an automated notification once your service is conducted that you can use as evidence of an annual service. An accredited business will have a registration number which can be easily provided.
2. What does a biomass heat business need to do to comply with the new scheme?
A business that wants to register with the Scheme will be assessed as to whether its servicing and maintenance offering, its engineers, and other staff, meet the standard that has been laid down by the Scheme. The assessment also includes a review of a business’ HSEQ criteria and Quality Management.
3. Has Talbott’s been accredited through the HABMS Scheme? If so, does that mean all its engineers are accredited too?
Talbott’s Biomass Energy Systems Ltd has already gained the accreditation which means that our engineers throughout the United Kingdom have met or exceeded the required biomass standard. As a longstanding UK manufacturer of waste wood boilers and biomass boilers our engineers are experts in looking after your system throughout it’s service lifetime.
4. What is the process for recording that a boiler has been maintained (and met the Scheme requirements) and how do you do this?
At this moment in time, the process works as follows:
- The appointed service engineer will conduct the Planned Preventative Maintenance service and provide you with a copy of their findings.
- The service provider will register the service on the HETAS portal, and an automated notification will be sent to you which can be provided as evidence of the service to claim your RHI.
5. Do I have to get my biomass installation serviced by a HETAS accredited service engineer to continue receiving RHI payments?
Yes, the RHI Regulations have been amended and now require RHI participants to complete an annual service in each payment year. This must be conducted by a business or engineer that is registered with the Scheme such as Talbott’s.
6. Is an annual service enough to ensure the best performance of a biomass installation?
Regular servicing and maintenance is the best way to ensure your biomass boiler performs at its best, which in turn maximises your RHI payments and availability of the system. At Talbott’s we know that many of our biomass installations are running on challenging waste wood biomass fuel and therefore need additional cleaning to continue operating at high efficiency. Our Service team will offer a service and maintenance plan designed around the individual requirements of your biomass boiler system. The HETAS Approved Maintenance scheme is a good start but does not cover the full technical requirements of a Talbott Biomass Boiler system that would be included within our service care and maintenance packages.
If you have received communication from OFGEM regarding the HETAS Approved Biomass Maintenance Scheme and would like to discuss how best to be compliant and protect your RHI subsidy payments please contact the Talbott’s Service team on 01785 813772 or service@talbotts.co.uk today.
