Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil known as HVO, cuts your oil boiler carbon emissions by up to 90% and did you know all new Grant boilers are future-proofed to use HVO by making a slight modification to the boiler.
HVO is fast proving to be the perfect transition towards a greener heating solution for those with oil fired heating systems.
In the UK approximately 1.5 million homes have an oil fired heating system. The majority of these homes are in rural areas, these homes are diverse in character, age, design and construction which poses a unique challenge when it comes to decarbonising the way we heat and cook in our homes.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil aka HVO is a renewable and sustainable fuel made from certified waste fats and oils.
HVO reduces an oil fired boilers carbon emissions by nearly 90%, making it a great option for those wanting to keep their existing heating system. Homeowners can save themselves thousands in costly insulation improvements and heat pump installation costs.
All new Grant condensing boilers are future-proofed to use HVO by making a slight modification to the boiler. Older Grant condensing boilers can also be adapted to HVO, these modifications can be carried out by a service engineer. Existing Worcester oil boilers will soon be able to use HVO with a simple conversion kit, available from autumn 2023.
Remember to achieve maximum energy efficiency upgrading your old boiler to a new ultra energy efficient A-rated model will save on fuel and running costs. Oil boilers installed by accredited installers come with hassle free lengthy warranties.
Industry bodies are confident once a level of scale is achieved there should not be a difference in price between HVO and regular heating oil.
The HVO bill which is currently being reviewed by parliament aims to make HVO a viable alternative pricewise by removing certain taxes.
HVO is and has undergone successful trials. We are now waiting to obtain Government approval to use HVO as a heating fuel. Manufacturers can then ensure existing oil heating users can convert to the new fuel gradually over time.
The ISCC confirms HVO is a sustainable fuel that is made from waste products or crops and doesn’t contribute to deforestation.
Worcester Bosch are launching HVO Conversion Kits for their oil boiler range, due Autumn 2023. This comes as part of their commitment to ensure all homeowners have access to practical and viable low carbon alternatives to fossil fuels.
Homeowners who purchase a HVO Conversion Kit will be able to significantly reduce the carbon output of their existing heating system without the need of moving to an alternative technology, which can be costly and disruptive.
Grant oil boilers are currently compatible with HVO depending on the type of biofuel and blend. Installers who fit a Grant boiler can provide their customers with a biofuel compatible boiler which can be converted to HVO operation simply and with minimal disruption.
Initially the government planned to simply switch oil boilers for heat pumps but this is not a viable solution for the majority of rural homeowners.
97% of oil heated homes are energy inefficient meaning they require costly and disruptive insulation improvements prior to a heat pump being installed.
The government has calculated that the average cost to upgrade an oil heated home in EPC band E to an acceptable Band C is £12,300 and, from EPC Band F/G, £18,900. However, the actual cost will vary and, depending on the condition of your home, you may need to install some or all of the following measures:
| Energy efficiency measures | Average installation cost
|
| Improved loft insulation | £180 to £3,500
|
| Replacement windows and external doors | £1,200 to £10,000
|
| External wall insulation | £4,300 to £20,000
|
| Cavity wall insulation | £300 to £1,200
|
| Internal wall insulation | £2,500 to £11,600
|
| Floor insulation | £550 to £900
|
* These figures come from the ‘BEIS, What does it cost to retrofit homes’ report.
Unlike boilers, heat pumps are most efficient when supplying heated water at much lower temperatures than your current oil boiler. This means retaining heat and minimising heat loss is crucial to the effectiveness of the system. The majority of off-grid homes are not insulated enough making them much more suitable to higher water heated system like a boiler.
HVO is a cheaper, simpler low carbon option that is better suited to many rural homeowners.
All new Grant condensing boilers are future-proofed to use HVO by making a slight modification to the boiler. Older Grant condensing boilers can also be adapted to HVO, these modifications can be carried out by a service engineer. Existing Worcester oil boilers will soon be able to use HVO with a simple conversion kit, available from autumn 2023.
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