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The 10-year deadline is here. Are you ready?
RHI stands for Renewable Heat Incentive. The Non-Domestic RHI 10-year meter requirement may be closed to new applicants, but thousands of organisations remain part of the 20-year payment scheme. And for many, 2026 marks a critical milestone.
If your RHI-accredited heat meters were installed in 2016, the RHI 10-year meter requirement is now approaching. Failure to act could put your quarterly payments at risk. This is a formal compliance obligation under Ofgem regulations. Many participants are now reaching the 10-year point simultaneously, making early planning essential.
What Is the RHI 10-Year Meter Requirement?
Under Non-Domestic RHI scheme regulations administered by Ofgem, all payment meters and steam measuring equipment must be:
- Recalibrated or replaced every 10 years (or sooner if manufacturer guidance requires)
- Calibrated in accordance with the specific heat transfer medium (including glycol mixtures where applicable)
- Calibrated by the manufacturer or a UKAS-accredited laboratory
- Supported by certification held for the duration of the scheme
- Reported to Ofgem via amendment to the RHI Register within 28 days of any change
Failure to comply can result in suspended or terminated payments. For many sites, the clock is already ticking.
Is recalibration right for you?
On paper, recalibrating your meters may seem straightforward. However, in practice, it becomes a bigger task. Recalibration typically requires:
- Removing the meter from live pipework
- Installing a temporary spool piece
- Sending the unit back to the manufacturer (often overseas)
- Waiting 6 to 8 weeks for factory testing
- Reinstalling the meter on site
During this time, heat output is not recorded for RHI purposes, which may directly impact your quarterly support payments.
Additionally, there are manufacturer charges that apply (typically from £750 up to £1,500 per meter), two site visits, associated labour, and administrative reporting requirements.
Lastly, there is always the possibility that the meter may fail calibration, meaning you will need a replacement anyway.
Replacing your meter
In many cases, RHI meter replacement is more commercially viable than recalibration. A new meter avoids:
- Extended downtime
- Loss of recorded energy for 6–8 weeks
- Multiple site interventions
- Factory recalibration costs
- The risk of failed testing
You also gain:
- A full new compliance cycle
- Updated technology
- Clean certification documentation
- Reduced administrative risk
When compared against the cost associated with recalibration and the potential loss of RHI payments, proactive replacement is the best way to set practical safeguarding systems in place.
What should you do next?
If you are approaching your 10-year deadline, you must:
- Record meter readings before removal
- Take date-stamped photographic evidence
- Install the replacement
- Submit an amendment to the RHI Register within 28 days
- Retain all invoices, certificates, and supporting documentation
Delays in notifying Ofgem may trigger additional evidence requirements and payment disruption.
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Why act now?
Waiting until the deadline leaves you exposed to avoidable risks such as manufacturer lead times, engineer availability, audit windows, and/or payment disruption.
The closer to your deadline you leave it, the greater the operational pressure, and the higher the financial exposure.
A planned replacement strategy eliminates uncertainty.
Protect your RHI payments
If your installation is approaching its 10-year anniversary, now is the time to review your meters.
MWA supports organisations with compliant metering replacement and guidance through the reporting process, ensuring you remain aligned with RHI obligations.
The scheme may run for 20 years, but every quarter only counts if your meters remain compliant. Full guidance is set out within Ofgem’s “Guidance on the Administration of the Non-Domestic RHI”, including ongoing participant obligations, metering standards, payment calculations, and compliance powers. Volume 2 includes the ongoing requirements for RHI participants, information on how periodic support payments are calculated and paid, and our compliance and enforcement powers.
Supporting you the MWA way
Our team will guide you through selection, specification, and installation, ensuring your systems are compliant and ready.
With over 40 years of experience in industrial metering and instrumentation, you can trust MWA to deliver proven solutions and ongoing support.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 10-year meter requirement under the Non-Domestic RHI scheme?
Under the Non-Domestic RHI 10-year meter requirement, all payment meters and steam measuring equipment must be recalibrated or replaced every 10 years from the date of installation (or sooner if required by the manufacturer). Failure to comply may result in suspended or terminated RHI payments.
Can I recalibrate my RHI heat meter on site?
No. An in-situ basic meter test does not meet RHI requirements. Meters must be sent to the original manufacturer or a UKAS-accredited laboratory for recalibration in accordance with scheme standards.
What happens if I don’t recalibrate or replace my meter within 10 years?
Non-compliance is considered a breach of scheme obligations. Ofgem may withhold or terminate quarterly RHI payments until compliance is restored.
Is it better to recalibrate or replace an RHI payment meter?
While recalibration is permitted, it often involves removal, factory testing (typically 6–8 weeks), reinstallation, and associated costs. In many cases, RHI meter replacement reduces downtime, protects payment continuity, and provides a new 10-year compliance cycle.
Do I need to inform Ofgem if I replace my RHI meter?
Yes. Any replacement or recalibration must be reported by submitting an amendment on the Non-Domestic RHI Register within 28 days. Supporting evidence such as date-stamped photographs, installer declarations, and certification must be retained.
What evidence do I need to keep for RHI meter compliance?
Participants must retain calibration certificates, invoices, receipts, and supporting documentation for the duration of their participation in the scheme. These may be requested during an audit.
Does the 10-year rule apply to all RHI-accredited installations?
Yes. All accredited payment meters and relevant steam measuring equipment must comply with the 10-year recalibration or replacement requirement, regardless of installation size.
How do I know when my RHI meter needs replacing?
You should review your original installation or last calibration date. If your payment meter is approaching 10 years since installation or last compliant recalibration, action is required. Leaving it beyond the deadline may put payments at risk.
