OVO Energy customers are set to benefit from a new scheme that will see zero emission boilers (ZEBs) installed for free in the South East and the East of England.
Being performed as part of the UK Power Network’s “Neat Heat” project, in collaboration with OVO and clean technology company tepeo, the scheme will provide real-world data on how certain technologies across the three companies can be utilised in order to use existing infrastructure in a “smarter way”.
The trial will last for 12 months and from the point in which the customer signs up, the participants could cut their carbon emissions by up to 40% per annum.
“We’re thrilled to be offering this exciting and truly innovative new trial to our customers in partnership with tepeo and UK Power Networks,” said Raman Bhatia, CEO of OVO Energy.
“With household heating accounting for 17% of the UK’s carbon emissions, Neat Heat drives forward our commitment to promoting zero carbon living and a sustainable future, whilst helping our customers to lower their energy bills through the provision of smart green tech solutions.”
The need to decarbonise the heating industry is becoming an increasingly significant development in order for the UK to achieve net zero. However, the incentives by the government have been waning in recent months.
In a bid to rectify this, the government launched the new scheme designed to ease the adoption of low carbon heating technologies through a series of grants.
It offers £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump, £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler and £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump, all of which can be completed without VAT.
ZEBs are a low carbon alternative to a gas or oil boiler, providing the same heating service, but without the associated emissions. OVO has said the boiler works like a battery to store heat efficiently, until needed, charging at the cheapest and greenest times of the day to help households cut down their usage and in turn, their energy bills.
“It’s our role to help make low carbon heating a reality for customers, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition to net zero,” said Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks.
“Taking steps to make pioneering solutions, like these boilers, accessible to customers ultimately saves everyone money and offers new opportunities to make our homes greener. It is key to accelerating the transition, enabling more low carbon technology to connect to the electricity network at lowest cost for everyone involved.”
Adopting ZEBs can help mitigate costs amid the energy crisis whilst also reducing the overall carbon footprint in homes. Should this be coupled with energy efficiency measures such as insulation, the British public could see a drastic reduction in their carbon footprint at home.
This has been recognised by Energy UK which recently urged the UK government to accelerate efforts to increase energy efficiency of homes in the next Budget, with this regarded as crucial to reducing energy bills.
With the high volatile prices being witnessed within the energy market of current, there is an increasing need to increase energy efficiency in homes due to 80% of gas being used to heat UK homes. Because of this, UK households have been subject to increased energy bills amid the cost-of-living crisis.
