The Hydrogen Proposition
Some in the gas industry propose converting existing infrastructure to hydrogen for carbon-neutral heating — familiar technology, minimal disruption to consumers.
Problems with Hydrogen for Heating
- Efficiency: Producing green hydrogen from renewables uses 3 units of electricity to produce 1 unit of hydrogen energy. A heat pump delivers 3–4 units of heat per 1 unit of electricity. Hydrogen is 3–4× less efficient.
- Cost: Green hydrogen is currently 3–5× more expensive than natural gas per unit of energy.
- Infrastructure: Converting the gas grid is enormously complex and expensive.
Expert Consensus
The Climate Change Committee, Energy Systems Catapult, and academic researchers consistently conclude heat pumps are the primary pathway for decarbonising UK home heating. Hydrogen may play a role in industrial applications, not domestic heating at scale.
Sources: Heat and Buildings Strategy.
