And It’s a Real Path to Rapid Decarbonisation
Oilfast is excited to share that the full findings from the UK’s HVO Demonstration Project have now been published — and they make a compelling case for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a scalable, affordable, low-carbon solution for oil-heated properties.
The ‘Combustion report for the HVO demonstration project’, published by trade associations OFTEC and UKIFDA, reveals 135 properties across the UK took part in the project which saw their kerosene boilers modified to run on 100% HVO.
These conversions were straightforward, low-cost and, most importantly, delivered an 88 % reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional kerosene — with no loss of performance.
Why This Matters
Homes that are off the gas grid are being told heat pumps are the only way to decarbonise. But for older, poorly insulated buildings — especially in rural areas — heat pumps often demand disruptive, expensive retrofit work and can cost well over £20,000 per household before you even start.
In contrast, switching to HVO requires only a simple boiler conversion — typically installed in under a day during a routine service — costing around £500. No rewiring, new radiators or planning headaches.
The Proof in the Project
Across homes, halls, pubs, village churches and community buildings from Cornwall to Scotland:
- All 135 boilers were successfully converted to 100 % HVO with no major issues reported
- Users saw no drop in comfort or heat output, and many technicians noted cleaner boilers and nozzles after the switch
- Over the course of the trial, roughly 450,000 litres of HVO was consumed, cutting CO₂ emissions by about 1,220 tonnes
- Independent analysis confirms that the UK has sufficient sustainably to support HVO use across its 1.7 million oil-heated homes
Real-World Success Stories
From rural village conversions to community pubs turning near-net-zero, the takeaways have been overwhelmingly positive. Residents reported virtually identical performance to kerosene and appreciated the ease of transition.
These practical successes demonstrate that HVO isn’t just technically viable — it’s already working in everyday buildings today.
What Needs to Happen Next
With this evidence in hand, industry bodies are consequently calling on the UK Government to support a wider HVO rollout, including sensible tax treatment and proper recognition within building energy performance metrics.
Albeit this isn’t just about another fuel. It’s about delivering meaningful carbon cuts now, without forcing every rural household to undergo expensive, disruptive upgrades.
That’s practical decarbonisation — the way Oilfast likes to see it.
Read the full report here https://futurereadyfuel.info/hvo-demonstration-project-published/
