@report{govUK2026consumers,
title={Research and analysis: Supporting consumers through the transition to low carbon heating},
author={{Verian}},
institution={{UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)}},
url={https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-consumers-through-the-transition-to-low-carbon-heating},
urldate={2026-09-28},
howpublished={\url{https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab26fa6997a4b2950cced11/supporting-consumers-through-the-transition-to-low-carbon-heating-report.pdf}},
year={2026},
month={09},
day={24},
number={RAF063/2122},
copyright={UK Open Government Licence v3.0},
abstract={The transition to low carbon heating is a critical component of decarbonising homes. It is crucial to understand what consumers need throughout the transition to low carbon heating, and how policy, communications, and support can be developed to support positive action.  The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) commissioned Verian to explore: what support is needed throughout the low carbon heating (LCH) transition; when and how to engage the public during the transition.  The research consisted of: a rapid evidence review; deliberative workshops with key stakeholders --- this included homeowners and landlords living both on and off the gas grid.  This report presents the key findings from the research.},
annote={[**UA] [**UF]  Quote: "All welcomed government support schemes to improve insulation, but thought this should be highlighted more explicitly as 'getting homes ready' for low carbon heating in order to break down the transition into more manageable incremental tasks."  Quote: "Decarbonising buildings is a key priority for achieving this goal, with emissions from heating of domestic homes accounting for 17\% of the UK's carbon emissions.  At present 85\% of UK homes are heated using natural gas distributed via the national grid; another 10\% of homes are not connected to the gas grid and are heated by other fossil fuel sources, such as oil, liquified petroleum gas or coal; and the final 5\% of homes are heated from other sources, such as local heat networks and heat pumps."  Quote: "Participants highlighted benefits of these behaviours and the cumulative impact of doing several: all were expected to improve comfort and efficiency in the home straight away, and reducing the cost and disruption required when installing a new system by taking some steps in advance. This is consistent with findings from behavioural science such as the goal-gradient effect, which identifies the power of incremental steps to encourage effort towards a goal or task."  Quote: "Providing clarity on the steps required to get homes 'ready' for the transition (especially related to insulation, where relevant) was overall seen as the most important message for government to communicate in the short term."},
}