Doesn't cold weather still kill more old folk than heat in the UK? High heating bills doesn't really move the needle any if they are also significantly subsidized.
Out here in the midwest US, high propane and natural gas prices have caused a massive spike in the installation of wood heating. Our bill went up by nearly 50% this winter due almost entirely to supply issues.
Unfortunately, heat pump installation is still too expensive (many years payback) and electrical heating isn't particularly green (resistance heating a house at -40 degree wind chills off of coal and natural gas at night is the worst outcome possible short of burning petrol generators).
We are much better off saving residential heating for later and focusing on other carbon priorities until the grid itself is greener, I think.
Out here in the midwest US, high propane and natural gas prices have caused a massive spike in the installation of wood heating. Our bill went up by nearly 50% this winter due almost entirely to supply issues.
Unfortunately, heat pump installation is still too expensive (many years payback) and electrical heating isn't particularly green (resistance heating a house at -40 degree wind chills off of coal and natural gas at night is the worst outcome possible short of burning petrol generators).
We are much better off saving residential heating for later and focusing on other carbon priorities until the grid itself is greener, I think.