A coalition including gas networks, energy suppliers and boiler manufacturers is to launch an awareness campaign around hydrogen for heating, Utility Week has learnt.
The Hello Hydrogen initiative is supported by the four gas distribution networks as well as British Gas and manufacturers including Worcester Bosch and Valliant.
It will see a website launched to explain how hydrogen-ready appliances will work and the role the green gas could play in a low-carbon energy system.
The campaign director for Hello Hydrogen, Angela Needle, said: “As people start to turn on their heating again, we think now is the perfect time to begin the conversation about how we will all heat our homes in the future.
“We want households to know that there will be numerous ways to wake up their radiators or cook their dinner and hydrogen could be the right choice for them.
“For too long, consumers have only heard about expensive options that take up lots of space, to make their homes greener. We want them to know other, more affordable, choices will be available.”
Campaign chair Victoria Billings of Worcester Bosch UK said: “The industry is coming together to build a hydrogen future that means household bills are no longer linked to global events.
“That’s why we’ve launched the Hello Hydrogen campaign to make sure consumers are kept fully informed of the choices they have for the future of heating their homes.
“We want hydrogen-ready boilers to play their part in heating homes across the country, knowing they will fit in the same place as traditional boilers and will cost the same price, but we need to know the government are fully behind hydrogen as a choice for millions of households.”
Monday (17 October) also saw the opening of a new hydrogen demonstration facility in Whitby, where Cadent is hoping to develop the UK’s first “hydrogen village”.
The facility, launched by Cadent, British Gas and Cheshire West and Chester Council, is open for locals to ask questions, as well as see two boilers, fires, a hob and other common household appliances fuelled by hydrogen.
Climate minister Graham Stuart welcomed the project, saying: “We want to know what the public think – so the UK decarbonises better and faster. We’re setting up lots of trials to find out hydrogen’s potential to provide heating – and get the public’s input.”