Over 3,000 people have already made a submission to the government’s new ‘Alternative Clean Heating’ consultation.
According to a statement, the consultation will determine the technologies people may be able to use to heat their home.
In the responses, households, technicians and fuel distributors have called on the government to support renewable liquid fuels, such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This follows concerns over the potential costs of the alternative solutions on offer, the statement noted.
The government’s current preference is for these homes off the gas grid to switch to heat pumps or heat networks. However, according to the consultation, for someone with an existing oil heating system the cost to switch to a heat pump is stated as £16,900.
For harder to treat buildings, the statement said it could be even higher. This means even with a £7,500 grant available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, many households would still have to pay thousands more on top.
As a result, the statement added that the ‘heat pump first’ approach is under increasing scrutiny as harder to treat homes will also need additional disruptive work, from added insulation to new radiators, for a heat pump to work effectively.
The government has invited households and people working in the industry to share their views so they can explore alternative heating solutions as part of this new consultation.
Professionals from the liquid fuel heating industry argued these renewable liquid fuels could be initially introduced as a blend with kerosene. This would work immediately in any existing oil boiler and significantly reduce emissions, it noted, without the need for any additional upfront cost and disruption. This approach has been demonstrated across 150 properties as part of an industry demonstration project.
OFTEC and UKIFDA stated that they are submitting their evidence from these trials to the consultation. As part of the Future Ready Fuel campaign, they have urged technicians and fuel distributors to also respond to the consultation.
Paul Rose, OFTEC CEO, and Ken Cronin, UKIFDA CEO, said: “It’s encouraging to see over 3,000 responses to this new consultation in just a few weeks. This reflects the strength of feeling amongst households and people working in the industry that oil heated homes need affordable and practical solutions when it comes to switching to cleaner heating.
“Current proposals often overlook the unique challenges of heating older properties, which those of us living or working in rural areas are all too aware of. We believe a fair transition must focus on choice and include options like renewable liquid fuels, which allow households to decarbonise without the stress of major building work or unmanageable costs.
“The good news is submitting your views is quick, easy, and free. With only a few weeks remaining before the consultation closes, we urge technicians and fuel distributors to take this opportunity to ensure their voices are heard.”
The Alternative Clean Heating Consultation is set to close on 10 February 2026.