Can HVO replace heating oil?

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has gained traction from leaders in the liquid fuel industry in recent times, and with good reason. It could become the low-carbon heating oil alternative for off-grid homes.

Successful trials have demonstrated its benefit in 150 homes across the UK, significantly reducing carbon emissions by up to 88%. That's 88% fewer carbon emissions by simply replacing the fuel used. Of course there is a little more to it than dropping a new fuel in your oil tank. However the evidence is clear for it's potential within the heating oil industry.

Latest from OFTEC and Government interest

OFTEC is urging the government to prioritise a consultation on a Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation and address tax disparities that favour kerosene over renewable alternatives like Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). Industry research shows HVO can cut emissions significantly in off-grid homes with minimal system changes. OFTEC is also training technicians in hybrid and heat pump systems to support decarbonization goals, advocating for HVO boilers as a cost-effective option and a potential stepping stone toward broader electrification of heating solutions.

Whether you've kept up-to-date or have zero knowledge of HVO, we hope this article answers the questions you might have.

What is Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil?

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, or HVO, is a form of renewable fuel produced from waste vegetable oils or animal fats. It has similar properties to conventional kerosene, so it can be compatible with existing oil heating systems. The significant advantage of HVO however, is its reduced environmental impact, both when produced and consumed.

It is produced through a process called hydrotreatment (often known as hydrogenation or hydrocracking). In this process, waste vegetable oils or animal fats are combined with hydrogen under high pressure and temperature, oxygen is removed and hydrocarbons are created. The resulting hydrocarbons are converted into the fuel. The process of hydrogenation also removes impurities so that when burnt, HVO produces 90% less carbon emissions when compared with Kerosene28 (heating oil).

Can HVO be used as a renewable heating oil alternative?

HVO has similar properties to conventional heating oil but it is renewable and 100% biodegradable. This makes it one of the best low-carbon alternative fuels for heating oil homes:

• Compatibility - You don't need a new heating system, only simple modifications made to your oil boiler by a qualified engineer.
• Low cost conversion - Boiler upgrades are much cheaper than installing a new heating system such as heat pumps.
• Cleaner burn - It burns much cleaner than heating oil, which improves air quality, reduces emissions and can improve boiler efficiency.
• Easy transition - HVO can be delivered and stored in the same way as traditional heating oil, meaning you'll still have the familiar tanker delivery.
• No odour - No more intense heating oil smell in your garden like with heating oil.

Will I need to upgrade my boiler to use HVO?

In short, yes, you will need to make changes to your oil boiler. However these modifications are quite straightforward. There are a few key considerations before deciding to upgrade your oil boiler to use HVO.

Here are the primary factors to keep in mind:

• Boiler condition - You should check the condition and age of your existing oil boiler. Consider whether it needs replacing before you spend money on any conversion.
• Compatibility - Verify that your boiler manufacturer or a qualified boiler engineer confirms the compatibility of your specific boiler model with HVO.
• Fuel delivery system - Check if your current fuel delivery system, including tanks, pumps, and filters are suitable. HVO can typically be stored and delivered in the same manner as heating oil, but it's important to ensure the existing system is compatible.
• Boiler modifications - Your boiler will require adjustments or modifications to optimise combustion with HVO. This can involve changes to fuel atomization, fuel pressure, or air-to-fuel ratio settings.
• Boiler maintenance - Regular maintenance and servicing are crucial to ensure proper functioning of your boiler when using HVO (or heating oil!). It's important to follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines and book an annual boiler service to address any potential issues that may arise.

Remember, we always recommended consulting with a boiler engineer to determine the specific modifications needed to convert your boiler to HVO.

How much will it cost to convert my boiler?

Prices for HVO boiler conversion can vary depending on the engineer, it can be as low as £2-300, but it can range from £500-£1000 depending on your boiler age, condition and model. We'd always recommend getting quotes from a number of engineers before deciding. This is far less than the £1000s to replace an entire heating system, making it a much more viable solution.

HVO compatible boilers

We're working hard to bring your home into the renewable without large-scale heating systems changes. We've teamed up with Sapphire, on their new HVO-ready oil boilers. They are the first Fully Modulating, OpenTherm Certified Boiler ready to run on either Kerosene or HVO. In the coming months, we'll bring installers on-board so you can be HVO ready with BoilerJuice. Find out more by visiting our shop.

How can I buy HVO today?

HVO is still in a trial period for use in homes, unfortunately this makes it more difficult to source versus regular heating oil. Until it is widely adopted, we've teamed up with FuelBox to offer HVO FuelBoxes in our shop. We're working closely with suppliers to enable you to buy HVO from us exactly how you currently buy heating oil as soon as we can.

How much does HVO cost?

Currently HVO isn't recognised by UK Government as a low-carbon heating alternative for off-gas grid households. This means it is subject to much higher fuel duty compared with heating oil.

The HVO Bill

Following George Eustice's article on the Telegraph on the 2026 oil boiler ban, UKIFDA, the UK & Ireland Fuel Distribution Association have released a statement urging Government to support the proposed Energy Bill update. 

Through the support of the influential Cornish conservative MP, George Eustice, the liquid fuel industry introduced the 10-minute rule bill in parliament on the 11th of January 2023, a second meeting was held on 3rd March. The bill sought to reduce the duty charged on renewable liquid heating fuel and to extend the same incentives given to transport when it is used as heating fuel, vital in making HVO an affordable alternative to heating oil. The bill was withdrawn on 18th September 2023.

Will HVO replace heating oil in the UK?

The potential for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to replace heating oil in the UK depends on several factors, mainly it's affordability for households and general market adoption along with availability.

There is a growing interest in transitioning to more sustainable and low-carbon heating solutions in the UK, driven by environmental concerns and the government's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. As part of these efforts, the UK government has set targets to phase out high-carbon fossil fuels, in favour of cleaner alternatives.

HVO, as a renewable fuel with a lower carbon footprint, has the potential to play a role in meeting these objectives. It can be used as a drop-in replacement for heating oil, making it easier for consumers to transition with only minor modifications to their existing heating systems. It's worth noting that there are other renewable heating options gaining traction in the UK, such as heat pumps and biomass boilers, which also aim to replace traditional heating systems.

While HVO offers several significant advantages as a renewable and cleaner fuel option, it's difficult to predict whether it will replace heating oil entirely.