RURAL homeowners living in Cornwall could face extra costs to install green heating systems if government plans go ahead, an industry trade association has warned.

As part of the UK’s strategy to tackle climate change, consumers will be encouraged to replace fossil fuel heating systems with electric heat pumps at an average cost of over £10,000 to install.

The 40,000 oil-heated households in Cornwall will be amongst those targeted first.

The Government is consulting on proposals to offer £4,000 ‘Clean Heat Grants’ to help supplement the cost of heat pumps, and in limited cases, biomass heating systems.

However, this still leaves a £6,000 shortfall for installation alone, says OFTEC, which represents the liquid fuel heating industry.

OFTEC has written to all rural MPs to highlight the issue.