Net zero homes most ‘energy patriotic’
New analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has found that homes using electric heat pumps, insulation and EVs use less than half of the imported energy than a fossil fuel dependent household.
A typical household using a gas boiler and petrol car will be dependent on imports for almost 70% of its energy, or 17 megawatt hours (MWh) a year.
But a home insulated to EPC C standards, using a heat pump and an electric car will use less than half (45%) of the energy imports of a household with a gas boiler and a petrol car, at around 7.5MWh a year.
Homes with a heat pump and electric car and also solar panels would use around a third (36%) of the fuel imports of a typical home – just 6MWh a year.
Industry projections show by 2030 the North Sea will continue its inevitable decline, with or without new oil and gas licenses. Only about 60% of the gas that we use is imported. Just 8-10% of the petrol used in the UK in recent years was refined in the UK using oil produced in the UK.
Commenting on the analysis, Jess Ralston, Energy Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit said: “Those who want to be ‘energy patriotic’ and buy British homegrown energy should be switching from gas boilers and petrol cars to electric heat pumps and EVs that increasingly run on British wind and solar energy.
“As North Sea oil and gas output continues its inevitable decline, the dependence on foreign imports for households using boilers and internal combustion cars will only become more stark.
“The Government has increased the grant for heat pumps, but then cut other policy under intense lobbying pressure from gas boiler manufacturers which likely means fewer heat pumps sold, leaving households and the UK more dependent on foreign gas.”
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