A major milestone has been reached in a nationwide consultation on the future of home heating.
More than 12,000 oil-heated households have responded to the UK government’s Alternative Clean Heating consultation, which is asking for feedback on the types of heating systems people should be able to use.
The consultation has attracted a strong response, including the 21,000 oil-heated homes in East Sussex, who have just a few days left to submit their feedback.
Paul Rose, chief executive of OFTEC, and Ken Cronin, chief executive of UKIFDA, said: "The government asked oil heated households for their views on the future of home heating and the response couldn’t have been louder and clearer.
"To have reached 12,000 submissions with a few days still to go reflects the strength of feeling across rural parts of country.
"Households want to reduce their carbon emissions, but they rightly need a choice of solutions which are practical and affordable.
"With only days remaining until the consultation closes, we urge every oil heated household that hasn't yet spoken up to do so now. This is your final chance to ensure your voice is heard by policymakers.
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"Likewise, given the strength of feeling we are seeing, we expect to see a similarly comprehensive and positive response from the government in due course."
Further information can be found at futurereadyfuel.info/consultation.
Current policy suggests most oil-heated properties should transition to heat pumps, with the consultation estimating the average cost at £16,900.
Homes requiring further energy efficiency improvements could face even higher bills, leaving a significant gap after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Many respondents are calling for alternative approaches, including renewable liquid fuels like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
Industry trade associations OFTEC, which runs an off-gas grid registration scheme for heating technicians, and UKIFDA, which represents liquid fuel distributors, have outlined how these fuels could initially be introduced as a blend with kerosene. This HVO blend would work seamlessly in the existing heating system, with no upfront cost or disruption, whilst dramatically reducing carbon emissions.
Surveys show more than 90 per cent of oil-heated householders support the introduction of renewable fuels.
