Are we moving too soon in the dash away from gas?

The Manx government has announced it is banning all fossil fuel boilers in new-built homes from 2025.

But the ’electrification’ of heating policy has been questioned by the boss of Manx Gas, who claims it would actually increase the island’s carbon footprint - as the power station is gas-fired.

He claims that until more energy is generated from renewables, switching from oil home heating to gas would do more to cut carbon emissions.

Managing director Ian Plenderleith said: ’From the perspective of Manx Gas and our shareholders, we fully support the direction of travel that the government is taking with its decarbonisation agenda.

’However, we are of the view there are more cost effective ways for government to achieve its objectives.

’You might think we would say this but we believe gas should be used as a transitioning fuel rather than going straight to electricity.’

He said switching from oil to gas would lead to a 20% reduction in carbon emissions.

And he called for ’no regrets’ investment in home insulation as a more cost effective use of the public purse.

’Home insulation is the best thing you can do,’ he said.

Mr Plenderleith said: ’If you put everybody on electricity, the electricity they use is generated from the gas-powered CCGT power station.

’You are not reducing the carbon footprint.’ He warned against ’moving too soon’ when the technology is still developing. ’Who knows what the landscape will be in five to 10 years’ time?’ he asked.

Electric radiators and storage heaters are the most expensive way to heat a home, at 19.45p and 13.19p per kilowatt hour respectively.

This compares with 8.58p per kWh for gas central heating.

The Manx Gas boss said fuel poverty was an issue that would need to be addressed.

’I’m certain government will do all it can to protect people from fuel poverty,’ he added.

The Manx government is pinning its hopes on air source heat pumps as a way to meet its carbon zero target.

Air source heat pumps are powered by electricity but are far more efficient than conventional heating.

And while the ’per unit’ cost of electricity is higher than the ’per unit’ cost of gas and oil, far fewer units of electricity are required to operate them.

However, not all properties are suitable to be fitted with them.

Manx Utilities currently has been undertaking a small-scale trial to fit 50 air source heat pumps on a finance plan, to test the cost and benefits of this move for a range of customers.

The purpose of the trial is to reduce the risk that customers’ costs increase through the installation of inappropriate systems.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, chairman of Manx Utilities, said: ’Air source heat pumps are, at the moment, more expensive than gas boilers but have better thermal efficiency and cheaper running costs.

’Ideally they should be installed in new-builds or existing dwellings which have maximised insulation and draft proofing to reduce energy requirements overall.

’Improving energy efficiency is key to reducing fuel poverty and is one of the main programmes recommended by the climate change action plan.’