Nearly 16,000 oil heated homes, technicians and fuel distributors responded to a consultation supporting renewable liquid fuels. The new Burnham government now needs to show it’s listening.
In February this year, the government closed its Alternative Clean Heating Solutions consultation, which had asked for views on how homes on oil should be heated in the future. An incredible 16,000 people engaged and submitted their views, calling on the government to support the rollout of renewable liquid fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
We now have a new government and a new team. This means there’s a risk this could be forgotten or kicked down the road. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has spoken passionately about ensuring communities outside of our major towns and cities are not overlooked. We completely agree. Let’s make sure his government keeps that promise and publishes their consultation response.
The last government focussed on electrification. For most oil heated households, this would mean switching to a heat pump. However, for many homes this just isn’t a realistic option. The consultation itself said the average cost for these homes to switch to a heat pump is around £16,900. Even with the new £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for oil heated homes, there is still a significant shortfall.
This remaining cost is far too high and ordinary households don’t have thousands of pounds to cover this massive shortfall. Not to mention the disruption installing a new heating system can cause. As a result, these homes will continue to use heating oil. But there is another way…
We believe, and 16,000 oil heated homes agree, that they should instead be able to switch to a renewable liquid fuel, specifically Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This could be used as a blend straight away in the existing boiler and tank with no upfront costs. It also avoids the disruption of ripping out the heating system, which you would have to do with a heat pump. Households can also keep using their local fuel supplier and technician, which keeps things completely straightforward.
The heating industry has already successfully run a trial using this fuel in around 150 homes over five years. It was a huge success. If a 20% blend of HVO was introduced across the UK’s 1.7 million oil heated homes, it would have the same carbon saving impact as putting in 347,000 heat pumps. This would enable us to make immediate carbon savings.
Don’t kick the can down the road and forget these previous commitments to oil heated households and rural communities. We’re urging the new government to:
Publish their response to the Alternative Clean Heating Solutions consultation
Support the rollout of HVO for oil heated households
Keep their commitment to listen to rural communities
If you want the choice of switching to a renewable liquid fuel, send a letter to Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
With our automated form, it takes just a few clicks and whether you’re a household, technician or fuel distributor, every letter makes a real difference.