The pioneering year-long trial in Drymen, Stirlingshire, has been developed to gather data and promote the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of traditional heating oil.

Backed by the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and Oil and Renewable Heating Technologies (OFTEC), the project aims to help Scotland take a significant step towards achieving net zero by 2045.

Jodie Allan, a past president of UKIFDA and managing director of fuel distributors James D Bilsland, volunteered her home to be part of the trial, which is currently running across the whole of the UK.

She said: “We switched to HVO in March, and everything has gone smoothly with no difference to the heating. Depending on the particular system being converted the cost will come in at somewhere between £500 and £1,000. The HVO is stored in our existing 1,200-litre tank and it is estimated we will use 20 litres a day in the colder months.

“It’s great to be part of the 12-month pilot scheme and hopefully the results can convince others switching from fossil fuels to HVO is the way forward.”

There are 129,000 oil heated homes in Scotland, and over 1.5 million in the UK, both representing approximately 5% of total occupied homes.

Ms Allan added: “The current cost of renewable liquid fuels is approximately three times traditional heating oil and while the cost of conversion is much smaller than other solutions, it could be a barrier for some.

“Hopefully, the trial will help stimulate interest in HVO, increase the supply of the fuel and reduce the cost. The environmental benefits are plain to see.”

UKIFDA, who are behind the pilot, want both the Scottish and Westminster governments to back the scheme.

CEO Ken Cronin said: “We are excited about the prospect of decarbonising the off-grid housing stock. HVO is a product and a solution that already exists that can help us drive towards net zero. It is an easy transition to make.

“It also has significant benefits for the industry. In Scotland over 800 people are directly employed by oil heating industry with the sector generating a turnover of £853 million.

“HVO can help protect both the environment and ensure the liquid fuel sector has a certain future. We want both governments to work with us now, to actively promote the introduction of a renewable liquid fuel to many hard-to-treat homes currently heated by oil.”