A mix of energy solutions should be considered for the decarbonisation of rural homes

The Government strategy for the decarbonisation of off grid homes is centred around an ‘electrification first’ approach. This would see rural homeowners having little choice but to install a heat pump if their heating systems fail after 2026.

When fitted appropriately, heat pumps can be incredibly effective. However, many rural properties are old, poorly insulated and therefore less energy efficient. Properties of this kind will require a significant retrofit for a heat pump to work, which could cost homeowners up to £32,000¹.

This concerning prospect has resulted in the launch of an industrybacked campaign, Off Grid Green, which showcases that a mixed technology approach to off-grid heating is the most suitable option for government and end users, on the path to decarbonisation.

Renewable liquid gases

Renewable liquid gases, such as bioLPG and rDME, are two promising energy sources for rural homes. Produced using renewable or sustainable feedstocks, they are fuels for today, and for the future.

BioLPG and rDME are also proven to yield a significant reduction in carbon emissions, up to 90% and 85% respectively². BioLPG can also be used as a ‘drop in’ fuel for existing LPG systems, reducing costs and disruption for homeowners and businesses.

Currently, the equivalent of over 40,000 homes³ use renewable liquid fuels in the UK and domestic production is already underway. There is potential to substantially increase this figure in the future as more production facilities open, such as the recently announced rDME plant in Teesside.

Supporting rural constituents

Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, agrees that rural constituents would benefit from greater choice on the path to decarbonisation.

“The Government’s current Heat and Building Strategy has made steps to achieve net zero, but it needs to go further and investigate a range of sustainable heating solutions for rural homeowners, as well as improving the energy efficiency of properties, to provide greater choice,” he says.

“Insulating as many rural homes as possible up to EPC Band C, which the Government has a statutory requirement to deliver by 2030, could help homeowners save up to £600 off their energy bills,” adds Mr Aldous.

“Funding for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the government’s longstanding energy efficiency scheme which is set to benefit 450,000 fuel poor households by 2026, is a good position to build from. However, it is also imperative that the decarbonisation strategy goes further.

“We should make upgrading our

‘leaky’ housing stock a national infrastructure priority. It’s vital that we use the legislative opportunity presented by the Government’s Energy Security

Bill to finally legislate for Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of EPC Band C for this sector by 2028, kickstarting the insulation drive rural Britain sorely needs,” he adds.