The Daily Mail has reported last week on the Government’s approach to off grid homes, where the current plan will mean that they can only replace their heating systems after 2026, with non fossil fuel heating systems.

It says:

“The ban, which would affect homes that are not connected to the gas grid, is set to begin at least ten years before other homes across Britain face similar restrictions.

But rural and fuel poverty campaigners fear households will not be able to afford the high costs for installing heat pump systems and retrofitting draughty homes.”

Martin Collett, Chief Executive of affordable housing provider English Rural Housing Association, told MailOnline:

"Rural homes overall are disadvantaged through being 'off grid' without access to mains gas and having a high proportion of hard to decarbonise older stock. 

The current approach to valuing carbon reduction through property energy ratings also still limits the benefit of installing heat pumps.

Specifically, the intended approach of banning replacement oil boilers in the countryside some nine years in advance of an 'on-grid' ban is likely to result in higher costs for rural households, without the infrastructure, support, or investment to make renewable options work as effectively as they could. 

The outcome is likely to hit low-income rural households hardest, increasing their risk of fuel poverty.

To effectively deliver on intended government policy, increased investment is needed to decarbonise rural homes. This should start with better funding for housing associations to decarbonise affordable rural homes. 

Reducing carbon emissions, lowering energy costs for those facing fuel poverty, and providing a financial shot in the arm to innovate and improve the use of renewable technology in the countryside."

Paul Miner, head of policy and planning at the Campaign to Protect Rural England countryside charity, said:

"Converting our homes to low or zero carbon energy is an urgent necessity. But it must also be fair and practical. The priority needs to be workable solutions and if better, cheaper options than heat pumps emerge that are more suited to old rural homes they should be investigated.

First and foremost, homes must be properly insulated. It would immediately reduce energy demand and lower bills. Particularly in rural areas our housing stock, largely because of its age, is the leakiest and least energy efficient in Europe. 

The short term priority for government must be to support households with a mass insulation drive. There is an acute need in rural communities for government support or it is likely to prove unaffordable for many."

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The Rural Services Network believes that rural communities should be priorities in net zero policy which supports the specific challenges they face. Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the RSN says: "Many Government actions cannot be implemented until the rural electricity supply networks are improved and reasonable priced sustainable energy alternatives are available. We cannot have a policy that disadvantages rural communities due to the higher proportion of off grid homes located there."