Exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions
This consultation is open for responses
Respond to this consultationSummary
DESNZ explores alternative heating technologies beyond heat pumps and heat networks as backup options for buildings where primary solutions are unsuitable. The consultation seeks views on technologies like hybrid heat pumps, biomass, and hydrogen for domestic and non-domestic buildings. Government maintains heat pumps and heat networks remain the primary decarbonisation path.
Why it matters
This is redistributive policy — treating symptoms of expensive energy rather than addressing supply constraints or market structure. As such, it creates another layer of technology picking rather than pricing carbon and letting markets choose heating solutions.
Key facts
- •Published 18 November 2025
- •Focuses on buildings where heat pumps unsuitable
- •Heat pumps and heat networks remain primary technologies
Related programmes
Memo
The government is committed to decarbonising the way we heat our buildings to protect consumers against high energy bills due to volatile global fossil fuel prices, reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign sources of energy and combat climate change. In that process, the government is committed to ensuring there is a good solution for every building and that consumers have access to a range of suitable low-carbon heat technologies. Heat pumps, along with heat networks, will be the primary low-carbon technologies for decarbonising home and non-domestic heating. These are existing, technically mature low-carbon technologies, deployable at scale and as such are expected to play a significant role in decarbonising heat in every pathway to net zero. However, the government is interested in understanding what alternative technologies are available across different types of domestic and non-domestic buildings to ensure consumers have a choice of suitable low-carbon heating technology options. In exploring these solutions, the government wishes to make clear we do not propose that any household or business installs a low carbon option which is not suitable for their property. This consultation will be of interest to stakeholders operating in the heat sector, business representative bodies, households, non-domestic buildings, and those with a wider interest in the UK’s net zero ambition.