Oil installers and technicians must respond to ensure customers’ needs are not overlooked.
Oil installers and technicians must respond to ensure customers’ needs are not overlooked.
Liquid fuel heating technicians and engineers are being urged to respond to a new UK government consultation that could determine how oil-heated homes are required to decarbonise.
The Alternative Clean Heating Consultation focuses on reducing emissions from off-gas-grid homes, with government policy currently centred on replacing oil boilers with heat pumps or heat networks. However, analysis of the consultation data highlights serious concerns around cost, disruption and suitability for many rural properties.
Within the consultation, the government acknowledges that a single solution may not work for every home and, for the first time, recognises the potential role of renewable liquid fuels, including Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
The liquid fuel heating industry has proposed the introduction of renewable liquid fuels via a kerosene blend, delivering immediate carbon savings while allowing households to keep their existing oil boiler and tank.
This protects customers from the high upfront costs associated with alternative systems, avoiding the need for major system redesigns or extensive fabric upgrades.
Government figures cited in the consultation suggest heat pump installations could cost £16,900–£17,100, with annual running costs of £1,700–£1,750. By contrast, oil heating costs around £1,500 per year to run under the same assumptions, and renewable liquid fuels are expected to be comparable, without the installation costs or household disruption .
An industry-led demonstration project, involving around 150 homes over three years, has already shown that renewable liquid fuel blends can be introduced safely and effectively into existing oil heating systems.
The project, led by OFTEC and UKIFDA, demonstrated that only minor boiler adjustments were required, reinforcing the practical role technicians could play in supporting a low-carbon transition without abandoning proven technologies.
OFTEC and UKIFDA are submitting detailed evidence to the consultation, but they stress that responses from individual technicians are equally important.
Technicians understand the realities of rural housing stock and their input helps ensure future policy reflects real-world customer experiences.
OFTEC CEO Paul Rose and UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin said: “The government is now preparing to make decisions over how oil heated homes will be heated in the future. “We strongly believe that consumers, technicians and fuel distributors who will be directly impacted by these decisions should be able to have their say.
“That’s why we’re pleased the government has finally launched this consultation, which we have been urging them to do for over two years. This will impact everything from the technology oil heated households use, the cost to switch and the price of fuel bills.
“Anyone can share their views and it’s quick, easy and free. You only have a few weeks to respond so don’t miss out on this important opportunity to ensure rural needs are not ignored in Westminster.”
The Alternative Clean Heating Consultation closes on 10 February 2026. It is open to individuals and businesses and can be completed in just a few minutes.
For guidance and response links, visit: www.futurereadyfuel.info/consultation
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