Controversy over the use of domestic fuel oil for heating after the remarks of a minister on France Inter

His intervention on Tuesday, February 21 on France Inter in the program "Le telephone sonne" is edifying on the lack of knowledge of the problems of heating in France and the imposition of urban visions, against cohesion and the equality of territories.

Firstly, the Minister ignores the fact that traditional domestic fuel oil will disappear by itself in favor of liquid fuels that emit less CO2.

Thus, the authorization for the placing on the French market in 2022 of domestic fuel oil F30, known as "Biofuel" (biofuel incorporating 30% renewable energy of vegetable origin), and which lowers CO2 emissions by 10%, is the first step towards the next F55 (55% renewable biofuel).

All European countries are working on replacing fuel oil with renewable and synthetic liquid fuels, as the European Directive on renewable energies encourages this.

Moreover, the scapegoat policy is absurd and stigmatizing for French people living in rural and peri-urban areas. Consumers whose energy choice is restricted by their geographical location are thus designated as “criminals” and misinformed about the impacts of the use of heating energy.

Admittedly, the use of domestic fuel for heating emits more CO2 per kWh than other energies, but the proportions must be put into perspective to disqualify these excessive, outrageous, inadmissible remarks from a government official.

DPE CO2 values ​​– climate / energy label (ministerial decree of 15 September 2006, modified)

• Network electricity: 180 gr
• Network gas (methane): 234 gr
• Gas in tank (propane): 274 gr
• Traditional domestic fuel oil: 300 gr
• Firewood: 13 g
• In comparison :
  • Biofuel F30: 275 g (available on the market)
  • Biofuel F55: 234 g (in boiler compatibility tests)

Note: only CO2 is considered, excluding CH4 (methane) or HFCs (refrigerants), pollutants for which domestic fuel oil is not "criminal"

The Minister instead of explaining himself on the failures of the DPEs, the management of aid for renovation, the fall of the work, however priority insulation, creates a peremptory diversion.

For Eric Layly, President of FF3C: “If the Elysée Palace or the parliamentary chambers, which use domestic fuel oil, have the resources to opt for other solutions, what about the French people living in rural areas? In the midst of the energy crisis, the Minister's statements are particularly discriminating for nearly 3 million households that heat with domestic fuel oil. »

The FF3C union also emphasizes how crucial the role of off-grid energy distribution companies is for the security of supply for consumers who, regardless of past and recent crises, have never been threatened with cuts.

Carried away by the resurgence of a cult imposing electricity, whatever the cost, the Minister in charge of the City and Housing is guilty of anathema on a subject which would require tolerance, adaptation to territories, objective information and concrete measures to encourage consumers to replace their equipment with new biocompatible materials which, along the way, can reduce consumption by a third and by more than 50% if the insulation of the building was on point.