According to a report by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), a UK climate policy NGO, British households are being encouraged to turn off their heaters at night and during peak times. The report, known as the “carbon budget,” suggests that instead of keeping radiators on at night during the coldest part of the year, people should pre-heat their homes in the afternoon to save money. The CCC explains that by pre-heating homes ahead of peak times, access to cheaper tariffs can be achieved, reflecting the reduced costs associated with running networks and producing power during off-peak times.
The advice primarily targets households with electrically-powered systems like heat pumps, which are popular in other European countries. However, it is worth noting that most British homes use gas boilers. The CCC recommends that by 2033, all new-construction homes and up to half of those built after 1952 should include pre-heating capabilities.
Interestingly, the government is reportedly considering scrapping a proposed ban on the installation of oil-powered boilers, which was scheduled to take effect in 2026. This potential policy reversal comes after concerns were raised about the strain it would place on the electric grid and the increased fuel poverty in rural areas. Scrapping the ban would allow new homes to continue using oil-powered boilers rather than being forced to switch to electric heat pumps.
The CCC’s latest report has faced criticism, with concerns being raised about the capacity of the UK’s electrical infrastructure to handle the demand of millions of electric heat pumps working simultaneously. Andrew Montford of climate policy watchdog Net Zero Watch argues that the grid is already overburdened, and implementing ideas like freezing households on cold evenings would exacerbate the situation. Similar sentiments are echoed by Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay, who suggests that the advice highlights the failure of the dream of plentiful and cheap renewable energy.
The CCC’s report outlines emission reduction targets for the UK between 2033 and 2037. The controversial guidance on heaters falls under the section on “behavior change.” Established by the government in 2008, the CCC serves as an advisory body on how to achieve the country’s emissions targets, and its carbon budgets are legally binding.
Interestingly, CCC director Chris Stark admitted last month that even he has not adopted the heat pump technology recommended by his organization. He cited the high cost and difficulty of installing heat pumps in apartments already equipped with gas boilers.
The CCC’s previous carbon budget report from 2020 already acknowledged the importance of behavior change, stating that more than half of the emissions reductions in their scenarios require some level of behavioral change. The report suggests that the government should leverage lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic to nudge the public towards embracing the concept of Net Zero by presenting desired changes as the “new normal.”
In conclusion, the CCC’s latest report advises British households to turn off their heaters at night and during peak times, opting instead to pre-heat their homes in the afternoon. While the guidance primarily targets electrically-powered systems like heat pumps, concerns have been raised about the strain on the electric grid and the feasibility of millions of households using electric heat pumps simultaneously. The report highlights the importance of behavior change in achieving emission reduction targets and suggests using the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to promote Net Zero as the “new normal.”
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