The 500,000 oil heated homes in Northern Ireland are being urged to submit their views on how their homes should be heated in the future as part of a new consultation.
The ‘Alternative Clean Heating’ consultation has been published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in Westminster but states that it has been shared with the devolved government in Northern Ireland to incorporate the views of households.
Whilst Northern Ireland recently concluded its own consultation on biofuels, policymakers are monitoring a potential Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation in the UK. If implemented, this would subsidise these fuels to make them more affordable as a replacement for kerosene. Northern Ireland would likely then adopt a similar approach.
However, currently in Westminster the government’s preferred solution is to switch oil heated homes onto heat pumps. But after an analysis of the data in the consultation there are growing concerns that many households will face high upfront costs, rising bills and signification disruption compared to their current heating system with this approach.
In the consultation the government has accepted that other solutions may be technically needed, including the potential use of renewable liquid fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an alternative. This aligns more with Northern Ireland where policymakers have been more supportive of this approach.
The liquid fuel heating industry has proposed these fuels could be introduced as a blend with kerosene and work immediately to reduce carbon in any existing oil boiler without any upfront cost or disruptive change.
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.
Industry trade associations OFTEC, which runs an off-grid heating registration scheme, and UKIFDA, which represents liquid fuel distributors, who ran the demonstration project are submitting their evidence to the consultation.
As part of their Future Ready Fuel campaign, they are also urging oil heated households in Northern Ireland to respond to the consultation to ensure their views are not overlooked in the wider debate, including the need for the government to put forward a range of choices for consumers which they can afford.
David Blevings commented: “With over 500,000 oil heated homes in Northern Ireland, we have a unique stake in this debate. While this consultation is being led from Westminster, the decisions made will create the blueprint for how we transition away from fossil fuels here in Northern Ireland. We must ensure that any new UK policy reflects the reality of Northern Ireland’s housing stock with affordable, pragmatic choices.
“This consultation will ultimately determine the technology oil heated households can use and the future cost of fuel bills. We don’t want a one-size-fits-all approach from London that ignores the needs of our rural communities. I would urge everyone using heating oil, or technicians working in the industry, to take a few minutes to respond.
“Your feedback is the best way to ensure that renewable liquid fuels like HVO are given a fair hearing as a viable, low-cost alternative to heat pumps.”
The Alternative Clean Heating Consultation closes on 10 February 2026.
For more information visit www.futurereadyfuel.info/consultation.