OFTEC and UKIFDA have urged technicians and fuel distributors working in the liquid fuel heating industry to submit their views on how oil heated homes should be heated in the future.
This is part of the government’s new Alternative Clean Heating Consultation, which closes on 10 February 2026.
The government’s preferred solution is to switch oil heated homes onto heat pumps or heat networks. However, an analysis of the data in the consultation revealed that there are growing concerns that many households will face high upfront costs, rising bills and signification disruption compared to their current heating system.
In the consultation the government has accepted that other solutions may be technically needed. It has also recognised the potential use of renewable liquid fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an alternative.
The liquid fuel heating industry has proposed that these fuels could be introduced as a blend with kerosene. The industry stated that they could work to reduce carbon in any existing oil boiler without any upfront cost or disruptive change.
According to a statement, this is a key advantage compared to the other options under consideration which all include upfront cost and disruption. This approach was successfully tested in around 150 homes over the last three years, it noted.
OFTEC and UKIFDA, which ran the demonstration project, are submitting their evidence to the consultation.
As part of their Future Ready Fuel campaign, the associations are urging oil heated households, technicians and fuel distributors to respond to the consultation. This is to ensure their views are not overlooked, including the need for the government to put forward a range of choices for consumers which they can afford.
Paul Rose, OFTEC’s CEO, and Ken Cronin, UKIFDA’s CEO, 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.”