Could hydrogen replace gas as a home heating fuel?

Hydrogen could, in theory, be supplied to homes across the country in the same way as we currently receive natural gas via the grid, and used to power our boilers. 

According to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a hydrogen/natural gas blend could heat homes around the country from 2023, with all five of Britain’s gas grid companies preparing capability to provide the gas.

A study by Keele University found that it’s possible to continue our existing gas cookers, boilers and heating systems by using a maximum of 20% hydrogen, 80% natural gas. However, to be able to use 100% hydrogen, new pipe infrastructure, boilers and cooking appliances would have to be installed - so the switch to a hydrogen grid would be a significant investment.

This would mean that up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used could be replaced by hydrogen, according to the Energy Networks Association (ENA), reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of 2.5m cars a year, without needing to upgrade household appliances.

However, as the steam reforming method of producing hydrogen uses a lot of natural gas, it’s estimated running our gas grid on hydrogen would require 47% more natural gas than it already does. That’s good news for the gas industry, but means higher heating bills for the rest of us, and more reliance on gas exporters like Russia and Qatar.