Quantifying public perceptions of hydrogen adoption in the United Kingdom incorporating challenges, acceptance factors and proposed strategies

Abstract

This study investigates the public acceptance of hydrogen technologies in the United Kingdom's domestic energy sector, with a focus on green and low-carbon hydrogen as a pathway to decarbonisation. The purpose is to evaluate the social, economic and perceptual factors shaping willingness to adopt hydrogen-based appliances such as boilers, hobs and complete home systems. A mixed-methods framework was employed, combining quantitative analysis including descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and regression modelling with qualitative approaches such as sentiment and thematic analysis of survey responses (n = 1213). Sentiment analysis revealed three dominant orientations: optimistic (28%), cautious (17.7%) and hopeful (16.8%). Thematic coding highlighted five central drivers and barriers: affordability, environmental impact, technological reliability, trust and broader public opinion. Regression analysis confirmed that knowledge of hydrogen strongly predicts acceptance (β = 0.28, p < 0.001 for boilers; β = 0.26, p < 0.001 for hobs), while demographic factors such as age (β = −0.099, p < 0.05) and income (β = 0.045, p < 0.05) exert smaller yet significant influences. Standard error clustering and robustness checks were applied to validate these results. The findings demonstrate that acceptance is more closely tied to attitudinal and informational factors than to demographics alone. Based on these insights, the study proposes evidence-based strategies for policymakers, including targeted public education, financial incentives and transparency-driven pilot projects. By integrating both methodological rigour and policy relevance, the paper contributes to the literature on sustainable energy transitions and outlines practical pathways for accelerating hydrogen adoption in domestic contexts.