OFTEC IRELAND NEWS
WITH A NEW ENERGY STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND DUE TO BE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR, WE GET AN UPDATE FROM OFTEC IRELAND MANAGER, DAVID BLEVINGS... 2021 tobe pivotal year for energy strategy A s we begin a new year, 2021 has the potential to be one of the most significant in that bringing EPC Band E homes, heated by liquid fuel, up to an
OTEC Ireland Manager, David Blevings.
acceptable Band C, would cost on average £12,300. For properties in EPC Bands F or G, the cost would be £18,900. The average installation cost of an air source heat pump would add approximately an additional £11,000. The liquid fuel sector is ready to introduce a renewable liquid fuel to replace heating oil. Most boilers can be made biofuel compatible and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) offers an immediate 90% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This option could deliver rapid progress towards decarbonisation if supported though appropriate policies, potentially saving rural households and the government millions of pounds. We are encouraged that this opportunity has been discussed at the Heat Strategy Group (a mixture of local academics, energy sector representatives and civil servants) who are responsible for influencing an energy options paper that will be presented to Minister Dodds. Consumers need to be offered the opportunity to choose the solution that best suits them and their property. With such high costs involved to upgrade insulation and install a new heating system it is unlikely the government will be able to fully support them through grants, which leaves home-owners with a considerable cost to meet. Renewable liquid fuels offer a low carbon solution for existing oil heated homes and for most, this will
generations for Northern Ireland. By mid 2021 we expect, Economy Minister, Diane Dodds to bring forward an options paper for the Northern Ireland Energy Strategy 2050. Last month in GB, Boris Johnson revealed his 10-point plan towards meeting net zero carbon emissions by 2050, including the target of installing 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028 as part of the decarbonisation of home heating. Whether this is achievable or not remains to be seen. OFTEC is currently lobbying hard for any decision to be technology neutral. In other words, consumers must be given a choice rather than have a solution that does not meet their needs imposed upon them. OFTEC is wholly supportive of the need to decarbonise but we know that cost is likely to be a key factor in winning consumer support for the changes that are needed. We believe that due to the relatively low thermal efficiency of our housing stock and the rural nature of our dwellings that heat pumps are not the panacea to our carbon reduction dilemma. (70% of bungalows, 44% of terraces, 50% of SDV and 53% of detached houses in Northern Ireland are SAP band D-F and in OFTEC’s opinion, not readily suitable for air source heat pumps without significant cost and disruption). Homes that use heat pumps need to be well insulated to ensure comfort and to avoid high running costs. The government has estimated
“Moving existing consumers to HVO offers an immediate reduction of c.90% in CO2 equivalent emissions at minimal cost and disruption.”
“Consumers must be given a choice rather than have a solution that does not meet their needs imposed upon them.”
18 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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