Off-grid homes want classic cast-iron cooking with modern, low-carbon credentials. Enter Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, often shortened to HVO. HVO paired with a Rayburn oil-fired range cooker gets you a  familiar Rayburn warmth with dramatically lower lifecycle emissions and a smooth user experience.

What is HVO?

HVO is a renewable, paraffinic liquid fuel produced by hydrotreating waste oils and fats. The process removes oxygen and impurities to create a clean-burning, FAME-free fuel with a high cetane number and excellent storage stability. Compared to fossil diesel, leading producers report up to about 90% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, depending on feedstocks and supply chain.

Meet the Rayburn Heatrangera that runs on HVO

Rayburn’s current Heatranger oil models are available with HVO-compatible burners. AGA Rangemaster’s own guidance confirms that HVO can act as a replacement for heating oil in the Rayburn Heatranger.

Why HVO is the future

Big sustainability gains, right now

• Deep carbon cuts: Demonstrations and OEM-backed data point to about 88–90% lifecycle GHG reduction compared to fossil fuels, using waste-derived feedstocks that avoid land-use change.
• Cleaner operation: Paraffinic HVO contains virtually no aromatics or sulfur and is FAME-free, which supports clean combustion and long, trouble-free storage in a domestic tank.

Standards and compliance

• Fuel specs: HVO for fixed combustion and domestic heating aligns to EN 15940 for paraffinic fuels and PAS 5420:2023 for sustainable bioliquid fuels in heating, hot water, and cooking. PAS 5420 focuses on waste-derived feedstocks and robust sustainability auditing.
• Recognised in UK policy work: The Energy Act 2023 includes a provision that can enable a Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Obligation, a key lever for wider rollout if activated by the Secretary of State.

Legislation, duty, and the policy outlook

Right now, renewable liquid heating fuels such as HVO carry a fuel duty that kerosene heating oil does not. Industry bodies are calling for duty equalisation to unlock faster adoption in off-grid homes. The Energy Act framework exists, and trade associations continue to lobby for fairer treatment.

Pricing and availability

As of October 21, 2025, typical UK retail kerosene prices sit around 55p per litre, with variation by region and order size. HVO supplied for heating commonly ranges around £1.20 to £1.45 per litre, again with regional and supplier variation. The premium reflects current duty treatment and supply dynamics. Local distributors are expanding HVO availability as trials scale.

What kind of oil do Rayburns normally take?

Traditional oil-fired Rayburn models use 28-second commercial kerosene to BS 2869 Class C2, often called “home heating oil.” 

Pros and cons at a glance

• Pros: Large carbon reduction, very clean burn, excellent storage stability, familiar Rayburn experience, minimal disruption during conversion.
• Cons: Higher per-litre cost today, evolving policy and duty position, supply still building out in some regions.

FAQs

Is an HVO Rayburn still a “real” Rayburn?

Yes. You keep the same cast-iron cooker and controls. Only the fuel and burner tune change, which preserves the cooking character Rayburn owners love.

Do I need a new tank?

In most homes the existing bunded tank and line are fine. Your installer will confirm condition and compatibility during the survey and service.

Will UK rules support HVO for home heating?

The Energy Act contains an enabling clause that can support a renewable liquid heating fuel scheme. Industry groups are pressing for duty alignment with kerosene to improve affordability.

Bottom line

If you want Rayburn cooking with far lower lifecycle emissions, HVO stands out. The technical pathway is proven, and the standards are published. The main hurdle is policy and price, which the industry aims to fix. Speak to us, or your Local AGA shop to find out more information on this exciting new green future ahead of us.