Biofuel: Using hydrotreated vegetable oil in home heating

Do boilers have a role to play in climate action? We explore the possibilities of HVO in home heating

Firebird Heating Solutions HVO trials are proving how household greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 90% with CO2 emissions decreasing by up to 6 tonnes annually. 

Today, we’re staring down the oil boiler — currently the Dick Dastardly of the home heating story. Even with over 90% efficiencies in a modern condenser boiler, the carbon emissions from around 686,000 home heating liquid oil boilers are daunting in our journey toward a carbon-zero future for Ireland.

Their installation is banned from this year for new homes (depending on the date of planning being granted), in the Government-led charge to an all-electric home heating future fronted by heat pumps of as much as 300% efficiencies.