Low carbon heating systems ‘must be appealing’

Low carbon heating systems should improve experience, be simpler to install and provide enhanced control for customers. These improvements are necessary towards decarbonising domestic heating by 2050, according to a […]

Low carbon heating systems should improve experience, be simpler to install and provide enhanced control for customers.

These improvements are necessary towards decarbonising domestic heating by 2050, according to a report from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

It stated heat accounts for more than 40% of the UK’s total energy demand and heating buildings contribute roughly 20% of the country’s emissions.

Fewer than 4% of households have low carbon heating technologies and 90% prefer gas to warm their homes rather than low carbon systems, the report added.

The ‘Consumer Challenges for Low Carbon Heat’ report shows people are concerned about different things – for example cost, comfort or health – and therefore the same solution will not suit everyone.

Matthew Lipson, Head of Consumer Insight at the Energy Systems Catapult – which is delivering the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat (SSH) programme said: “The UK will need to eliminate emissions from domestic heating if it is to meet its carbon targets. Previous measures to reduce emissions have been relatively simple, cheap and delivered benefits but the options currently available to make further step-change reductions would require households to endure more disruption for less obvious benefits.

“We need to develop ways of reducing emissions from domestic heating that are more appealing to consumers so the transition to low carbon heating on a large scale is much easier to deliver in practice.”

The UK is failing in low carbon heat, according to Carbon Connect.

Latest Podcast