Divergent consumer preferences and visions for cooking and heating technologies in the United Kingdom: Make our homes clean, safe, warm and smart!

Heterogeneous preferences for living in a hydrogen home: an advanced multigroup analysis

“…Qualitative results from one UK study highlighted potential divergence in consumer perceptions towards hydrogen heating and cooking technologies. 52 Nevertheless, respondents demonstrated similar levels of adoption potential when answering poll questions on a five-point Likert scale, 52 which also proved the case in the Australian context. 58 In view of the need to comprehend technology perceptions at the early stage of the hydrogen transition, this study also accounts for perceptions towards hydrogen cooking appliances, 52 which has remained largely overlooked in prior research due to a primary focus on hydrogen boilers.…”

“…In the context of the hydrogen economy, a focus on intergroup comparisons remains primarily limited to early exploration in the UK 43,52,80 and Australian contexts. 58,59 Insights from large datasets are constrained to examining the effects of gender and political party preferences in the Australian context 59 (see ESI11†).…”

“…222 Such dynamics give rise to potential divergence regarding safety perceptions, as documented in mixed-method analyses on hydrogen acceptance. 47,52…”

“…The prospect of transitioning to hydrogen homes may elicit concerns over safety risks, 23,52 which could provoke feelings of fear and dread, as observed with other hydrogen energy technologies such as fuel cell vehicles and fuelling stations. 119,223,224 Qualitative responses in the UK context highlight a mix of fears and discomfort, 47,216 attributed primarily to the flammable nature of hydrogen gas.…”

“…47 This pattern may reflect the high propensity for old and inefficient boilers within fuel poor homes, aggravating concerns over environmental impacts, as well as safety and costs. 52 For example, in the case of Whitby village and the surrounding region of Ellesmere Port, it is documented that over 80% of homes have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between D–G, 292 which may motivate interest in securing efficiency gains and environmental benefits.…”