Previously reported at Fuel Oil News, Jodie Allan, managing director, James D Bilsland put her own Stirlingshire-based home forward to be part of the nationwide trial, backed by UKIFDA and OFTEC, converting the heating system in her family home to run off HVO.
Jodie said: “We switched to HVO in March, and everything has gone smoothly with no difference to the heating.
“Depending on the particular system being converted the cost will come in at somewhere between £500 and £1000. The HVO is stored in our existing 1,200-litre tank and it is estimated we will use 20 litres a day in the colder months.
“It’s great to be part of the 12-month pilot scheme and hopefully the results can convince others switching from fossil fuels to HVO is the way forward.”
There are 129,000 oil heated homes in Scotland, and over 1.5million in the UK, both representing approximately 5% of total occupied homes.
Jodie added: “The current cost of renewable liquid fuels is approximately three times traditional heating oil and while the cost of conversion is much smaller than other solutions, it could be a barrier for some.
“Hopefully, the trial will help stimulate interest in HVO, increase the supply of the fuel and reduce the cost. The environmental benefits are plain to see.”
UKIFDA want both the Scottish and Westminster governments to back to scheme. CEO Ken Cronin said: “We are excited about the prospect of decarbonising the off-grid housing stock. HVO is a product and a solution that already exists that can help us drive towards net zero. It is an easy transition to make.
“It also has significant benefits for the industry. In Scotland over 800 people are directly employed by oil heating industry with the sector generating a turnover of £853 million.
“HVO can help protect both the environment and ensure the liquid fuel sector has a certain future. We want both governments to work with us now, to actively promote the introduction of a renewable liquid fuel to many hard-to-treat homes currently heated by oil.”