GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT COULD SIGNAL BEGINNING OF THE END FOR OIL HEATING SYSTEMS

It was announced today (12^th Oct 2017) by Claire Perry MP, Minister for Climate & Industry, during a government briefing, “Building on the UK’s Clean Growth Credentials”, that the government intends to phase out the use of heating oil to heat buildings and domestic hot water during the 2020s, in both domestic and non-domestic heating systems.

The details of how this is to be achieved have yet to be determined, but this declaration is seen as a path to eventual regulation. Focus initially will be toward new build but will then be directed to existing building stock heated by heating oil.

“This momentous announcement is vital to assist in cleaning up the emissions from UK heating systems. It is extremely welcome as it gives much needed insight into the direction of travel and enables businesses to plan for the future, whether a supplier or a consumer,” said Mike Nankivell F.Inst.R, President of the Heat Pump Association (HPA).

He continued, “In addition it demonstrates clear intent by the government to seriously tackle the issue of relatively high carbon emissions from heating systems using oil as the predominant fuel and should act as a precursor to other fossil fuels which produce relatively high emissions.”

Although the exact detail has yet to be worked out, the HPA views this as a clear signal of intent toward ‘cleaner heating’ systems and heat pumps of all genres can contribute significantly to this as low emission technologies.

12-10-2017