Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Boiler Replacement Guidance

Tuesday 19 September 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government created an online advice service to help consumers replace fossil fuel heating systems, including oil boilers, with heat pumps.
  • The Prime Minister aims to reduce emissions while recognizing the challenges families face during the transition.
  • Consultation on the use of HVO in heating has been conducted to ensure practical decarbonization of heat in homes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Climate Energy
Context

The question arises from concerns about the replacement of oil boilers.

Question

Whether she plans to issue guidance to people with oil-fired heating on replacement of boilers. There is a panic now in Germany as its premature ban on gas-fired boilers approaches. The Minister will want to avoid a similar panic as we approach our own premature ban on oil-fired boilers, won't he?

Answer from Graham Stuart

The Government have created an online advice service to help consumers replace fossil fuel heating systems, including oil boilers, with heat pumps. We are listening. As the Prime Minister set out, we will reduce emissions in line with our obligations but do so in a way that recognises challenges families face. Off-grid households will be supported through transition and we will respond to consultation in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific guidance on oil-fired boiler replacements was not provided

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Climate Energy
Context

The question follows from concerns about a premature ban on oil-fired boilers in the UK, drawing parallels with Germany's situation.

Question

There is a panic now in Germany as its premature ban on gas-fired boilers approaches. The Minister will want to avoid a similar panic as we approach our own premature ban on oil-fired boilers, won't he?

Answer from Graham Stuart

As ever, I thank my right hon. Friend. We are listening. As the Prime Minister set out, we will reduce our emissions in line with our obligations but do so in a way that recognises the challenges that families face. Off-grid households will be supported through the transition, and we will respond to the consultation in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action or timeline for addressing panic about oil-fired boiler bans was provided

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Q3 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Energy Environment
Context

Concerns about the sustainability of HVO as an alternative to heating oil in Devon.

Question

During the summer recess, when I was touring villages, I found in my corner of Devon that some constituents are worried about whether they should replace their oil-fired boiler in the next couple of years with a heat pump or put their faith in hydro-treated vegetable oil. Some have been encouraged by the pilots of so-called HVO as an alternative source to heating oil. What assurances can the Minister offer that it will be a truly sustainable source of fuel and not made from palm oil, which encourages deforestation? Or should we put 100% of our efforts into heat pumps?

Answer from Graham Stuart

As the hon. Member doubtless knows, we have conducted a consultation on the use of HVO in heating, and we are determined to ensure that we decarbonise heat in homes, including off-grid homes, in a way that is practical and aligned with minimising any negative impacts on those families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No direct assurances about the sustainability of HVO were given

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