Scottish Gas Network (SGN) has joined forces with some of the biggest names in the UK energy industry to launch a campaign today which will raise awareness of hydrogen gas for heating our homes.

'Hello Hydrogen' sees gas distribution networks, boiler manufacturers and energy suppliers come together to raise households' awareness on the low-carbon gas's role in reducing CO2 emissions.

Members of the group hope the information hub will help people understand how new hydrogen-ready boilers and cookers could be used to heat their homes in the future.

The switch from natural gas to hydrogen for home heating could cut CO2 emissions by 20 million tonnes a year – equivalent to 12 million cars – but the industry want clear guidance from the Government that it remains committed to hydrogen as efforts are stepped up to develop the necessary technology.

Producing hydrogen for homes in the UK could also create tens of thousands of jobs and help the country avoid future cost of living crises by ending its reliance on natural gas from overseas, the campaign says.

The Hello Hydrogen campaign also aims to highlight the ease in which homes will be able to install the new hydrogen-ready boilers like-for-like with old ones at the end of their life in a cost-efficient way – especially in households where they might not have space for alternative future heating options like heat pumps.

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Consumer awareness

Campaign Director 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 warm 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.

"We now need the Government to get behind our campaign and show real commitment to a hydrogen future so the energy sector can start the huge investment needed to make it a reality.

"This will boost the economy, create jobs in the UK, allow us to have control over our energy again and reduce carbon emissions."

A hydrogen future

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.

"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 is fully behind hydrogen as a choice for millions of households."

SGN Director of Stakeholder Relations and Communications Rob Gray, who is deputy campaign director, added: "Hydrogen could play a major role in the way we heat our homes.

"The Hello Hydrogen campaign will promote hydrogen as a future energy choice for the people living in housing currently supplied with natural gas.

"Hydrogen will give customers choice and control in the way they heat their homes and provides a practical, secure and low disruption pathway to net zero."