Majority of rural households increasingly worried about cost of green heating transition

A new national survey has revealed growing concern among rural households over the cost of switching to low-carbon heating systems, with 60% of respondents saying they are more worried about affordability now than they were three years ago.

The survey, conducted by trade bodies OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) and UKIFDA (UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association), canvassed nearly 1,500 households currently using oil heating. The results come ahead of the UK Government’s anticipated Warm Homes Plan, which is expected to outline Labour’s roadmap for decarbonising domestic heating as part of its wider net zero strategy.

In rural areas such as Devon, where an estimated 41,000 homes use oil heating, the proposed shift toward greener alternatives could have significant implications. Many residents in these regions live in older, less energy-efficient properties not connected to the gas grid, making the transition particularly costly and complex.

The survey found that over 85% of respondents believe the government’s policies on rural heating will be a key issue influencing their vote in the next general election. Nearly half (46%) have already written to their local MP to seek clarity and raise concerns about the expected changes.

A striking 98% of participants expressed support for renewable liquid fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a viable alternative to conventional heating oil. These fuels have already been trialled in around 150 off-grid homes with successful results, offering a more familiar and potentially less disruptive path to decarbonisation.

In a joint statement, Paul Rose, CEO of OFTEC, and Ken Cronin, CEO of UKIFDA, warned against a one-size-fits-all approach. They cautioned that mandating specific technologies like electrification - such as heat pumps - could burden rural homeowners both financially and logistically, especially given the current installer shortage.

“Decarbonising the UK’s 1.7 million oil-heated homes is a complex challenge,” said Rose and Cronin. “A technology-neutral strategy would give households real choice and unlock more practical, affordable low-carbon options.”

The trade associations have written to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the new minister overseeing the Warm Homes Plan, urging her to recognise the unique needs of rural communities and ensure equitable access to affordable heating solutions.

The findings come at a time when households are already feeling the pinch from broader cost-of-living pressures, particularly after changes to national tax and support schemes in April 2025. Industry leaders argue that any strategy to reduce emissions must also prioritise affordability, especially in rural communities that often face higher energy bills and limited infrastructure options.

The Warm Homes Plan is expected to be unveiled later this year and will be closely watched by rural homeowners, industry experts, and policymakers alike. As the UK strives toward its legally binding 2050 net zero emissions target, how it addresses the rural heating gap could prove pivotal in ensuring both environmental progress and public support.

For more information about renewable heating alternatives, visit www.futurereadyfuel.info