Report shows B50 bioheat more accessible alternative for Irish homes

In Ireland, Agriland reports that a new study from AECOM called “A Review of the Irish Residential Heating Sector” shows that by switching to bioheat, Irish households could help to significantly reduce emissions. The government has been promoting the transition of heating to air-source heat pumps for the 700,000 homes still using heating oil, but the report says that switch to a 50% biofuel blend would cost half as much, be much more efficient and reduce 40 metric tons of CO2 over 10 years. Although the air-source heat pumps are estimated to reduce 53 tons of CO2 during that time period, the investment per household is EUR52,000 while the average government grant available last year was only EUR15,000, making the switch unaffordable for many.