The consultation sets out the Government’s preferred approach of switching oil heated homes to heat pumps or heat networks.
However, analysis of the proposals has raised concerns that many rural households could face high upfront costs, increased running bills and significant disruption compared with their current systems.
For the first time, the Government has also acknowledged that other solutions may be technically required, including the potential use of renewable liquid fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The fuel oil industry has proposed introducing these fuels as a blend with kerosene, enabling immediate carbon reductions in existing oil boilers without upfront cost or disruptive change. This approach has already been successfully demonstrated in around 150 homes over the past three years.
Industry trade associations OFTEC and UKIFDA, which jointly ran the demonstration project, are submitting detailed evidence to the consultation. As part of the Future Ready Fuel campaign, both organisations are also urging households to respond and ensure their views are heard, particularly the need for affordable, practical, and consumer-led choices.
OFTEC CEO Paul Rose and UKIFDA CEO Ken Cronin commented: “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.”
UKIFDA Launches ‘Stand Up for the Future of Your Home Heating’ Campaign
To support households in responding to the consultation, UKIFDA, in partnership with OFTEC, has launched a major consumer campaign under the Future Ready Fuel brand, titled Stand Up for the Future of Your Home Heating.
The campaign highlights the affordability and practicality of renewable liquid fuels compared with the costly and disruptive alternatives currently being promoted, ensuring the voices of rural, off-grid households are not overlooked.
Campaign activity is now live
A coordinated programme of activity is already underway, including the launch of the dedicated Future Ready Fuel consultation landing page. All activity directs households to the campaign page, where they can review the consultation and submit a pre-written response to the Government.
Support for UKIFDA members
To help UKIFDA members share the campaign with customers, UKIFDA has created a campaign toolkit containing a range of ready-to-use assets. Distributors are encouraged to begin outreach through their usual communication channels.
This campaign represents a vital opportunity to demonstrate that renewable liquid fuels offer a practical, affordable and immediate pathway to decarbonisation, and to ensure consumers have a genuine choice in how they heat their homes.
The Alternative Clean Heating Consultation closes on 10 February 2026.
22nd December 2025
