A new survey of off-gas grid consumers reveals concerns over the cost of transitioning to low carbon heating.
The survey of 1,364 households that use oil heating, conducted by trade associations OFTEC and UKIFDA, revealed 60% of respondents are more worried about the costs of switching to low carbon heating systems than they were three years ago.
The survey also revealed that almost half of respondents (46%) surveyed have written to their local MP to ask for clarity over the changes they will be expected to make to their home. Over 98% support giving oil heated homes the choice of switching to a renewable liquid fuel such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
Paul Rose, CEO of OFTEC, and Ken Cronin, CEO of UKIFDA, said: “Decarbonising the UK’s 1.7 million oil heated homes is a complex challenge as they face unique barriers due to their age, construction and rural location. Government policy must therefore focus on desired outcomes rather than mandating a single technology, such as electrification, which in many cases isn’t practical or affordable.”
“A genuine technology neutral strategy would give households real choice and unlock a wider mix of cost effective and practical low carbon options. This includes renewable liquid fuels which have already been successfully demonstrated in around 150 off-grid buildings.”
