Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Micro-CHP is a small onsite technology which uses one fuel e.g. gas to produce heat and also electricity, as a side product, thereby saving on electricity bills. It also saves the losses associated with distribution of centralised electricity. At the domestic scale, micro-CHP products are coming onto the market e.g. to replace gas boilers listed.
The benefits of micro-CHP
- As well as reducing emissions by displacing the electricity from inefficient power stations, generating electricity onsite reduces energy costs for the consumer.
- CHP is suitable for a wide range of sizes and applications, from a replacement to the domestic boiler up to the biggest plants
- capable of supplying the energy requirements of a large industrial complex.
- CHP is also viable for a whole range of fuels, including gas, oil, biomass, waste etc
CHP Quality Assurance and micro-CHP certification
CHP schemes under 50kW are eligible for Government support through certification as Good Quality CHP, under the CHP Quality Assurance programme (CHPQA)
Further details can be found on the Combined Heat and Power pages of the DECC website
For domestic micro-CHP, there are MCS standards for micro-CHP installer companies and products. Installer companies must belong to a consumer code of practice and there are routes for any complaints through MCS. There is a mandatory link between MCS and eligibility for Feed-in-Tariffs for domestic micro-CHP.
The final micro-CHP Accelerator field trial report has been published by the Carbon Trust
Recent reports and consultations
Sources of further information about generating your own energy
- For further background information on generating your own energy onsite, see the Energy Saving Trust's website[External link] or call the Energy Saving Trust’s “Act on Co2” advice line: Tel 0800 512 012
Suitable Technologies
Suitable products
MCS installer companies are able to give consumers advice on specific products and impartial advice on the suitability of individual technologies. They are required under MCS standards to give accurate written estimates of likely energy outputs from a technology.