Welcome to
HVO Heating Oil
Renewable Heating Oil
HVO heating oil is a renewable liquid fuel made using hydrogen and has a chemical structure that is very similar to kerosene. It can be made from a variety of vegetable oils and certified waste fats. Being a renewable heating oil, it is much more environmentally friendly than existing heating oil options.
Future-Ready Fuel Campaign
In association with UKIFDA, Rix Petroleum has launched the ‘Future Ready Fuel’ campaign to inform heating oil customers about what HVO is. The campaign aims to raise awareness of HVO heating oil and fuel as the government’s plans to decarbonise oil-heated homes often overlook renewable heating oil options like HVO. The current plan is to ban gas and oil heaters in newbuild homes from 2025, and although there is no current plan to ban existing gas and oil boilers, it could become a possibility.
If you’re interested in supporting our campaign to get the government to include HVO heating oil in future government policy, see the Future Ready Fuel website for how you can help.
Benefits of Bio Heating Oil
The benefits of HVO heating oil are numerous, including:
- If properly stored, HVO heating oil can be stored for up to ten years – in comparison, kerosene can only be stored for five years, and mineral diesel can only be stored for one.
- HVO heating oil can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90%.
- It is renewable and sustainable as its primary components are waste materials already produced.
- It is non-odorous, non-carcinogenic and non-toxic.
- The cost to convert from traditional oil-based appliances to bio heating oil is typically very low, and the process is very simple. This is especially notable when compared to the cost of upgrading from a traditional oil-based appliance to other forms of environmentally-friendly central heating.
- It runs just as efficiently as traditional heating oil.
HVO heating oil is currently only available on trials, but please register your interest below. If you have any questions about renewable heating oil and reducing carbon emissions in your home, please contact us today. For more information, please see our page on HVO renewable diesel.
HVO Trials -
what we know so far
HVO heating oil is the premium fossil-free alternative to kerosene which is made up of 100% renewable raw materials.
- Cleaner and greener – reduces net carbon emissions by almost 90% compared to fossil heating oil
- Simple conversion for most oil appliances
- Low cost to convert – cost to convert is expected to be around £500
- Fossil free – certified sustainable waste materials
- You won’t notice the difference – runs as efficiently as heating oil and it’s odourless
Visit the Future Ready Fuel website to find out more and write to your MP
HVO heating Oil FAQ's
HVO is made by hydrotreating fats and oils to create a greener, renewable heating oil.
At present, HVO heating oil is more expensive than traditional heating oil. However, we are working with the government and Future Ready Fuel to introduce the new fuels and reduce costs.
While HVO is currently more expensive than traditional fuel, it is likely that it’s still cheaper to use if you have an existing oil-based system than changing to a different heating system.
As the demand for renewable heating oil and fuel increases, so does the supply of waste materials used to make them.
HVO production is forecast to rise by over 300% just in Europe between 2020 and 2025. The rest of the world expects to match or improve on that production rate. In discussion with the main European and US-based HVO suppliers, we have been able to confirm that they plan to increase production and, therefore, should meet our requirements.
Realistically, it’s likely that the UK will always have some dependence on imported fuels as there simply isn’t enough waste material produced domestically to meet the demand for heating and transport markets.
We could reduce import reliance by introducing measures to improve UK waste capture and fuel production capacity at a government level.
Testing that has been carried out suggests that HVO heating oil will work with virtually any existing oil heating appliance, with some minor modifications.
If you’re looking to minimise your carbon dioxide production, you should consider upgrading to a modern, high-efficiency boiler (A-rated) for significant fuel and running cost savings.
If you don’t want to change your boiler, renewable heating oil is a great way to reduce your emissions.
In short, no. While a gas boiler ban is planned for 2025, this will only apply to newbuild homes, so existing gas or oil boilers will not be affected. That said, it is worthwhile to start reducing emissions as soon as possible, and HVO heating oil is a great way to do that without having to make major renovations to your home.
HVO heating oil has a myriad of benefits, including:
- Reducing carbon emissions by up to 90%
- Matching efficiency of regular heating oil
- Odourless
- Easy conversion with few changes needed
- Low conversion costs