Spotlight Interview – Chris Goggin | Rinnai – Part 3

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07 July 2026

In the final-part of this mini-series ThisWeekinFM speaks to Chris Goggin, Director of Operations at Rinnai UK, the world’s largest manufacturer of gas appliances, about the role of future fuels within the UK's decarbonisation strategy and their relationship with electrification in the non-residential sector.

While electrification is central to the UK government's decarbonisation pathway, it is not sufficient on its own due to the immense strain it places on the electricity grid, particularly during peak demand for heating and hot water.

Future fuels are essential because they support electrification rather than competing with it by:

• Providing low-carbon energy where electricity is constrained.
• Reducing peak electricity demand.
• Allowing electrified systems to operate with greater efficiency and reliability during the energy transition.

Future fuels are low-carbon gaseous or liquid fuels, such as biomethane, hydrogen, hydrogen blends, bio LPG, renewable DME, and E-methane, that can be utilised within existing infrastructure with minimal changes. They offer significant advantages for existing buildings:

• Infrastructure Preservation: They allow for decarbonisation without the need for wholesale replacement of distribution networks, plant rooms, or appliances.
• Grid Support: By supplying high-temperature heat and peak hot water, these fuels relieve pressure on the electricity grid, allowing electrical capacity to be focused where it is most beneficial.
• Hybrid Systems: They enable hybrid configurations where heat pumps manage base loads, while future fuels handle peak demands or high-temperature requirements, thereby improving overall system resilience.
• Progressive Transition: They facilitate a non-disruptive transition, allowing building owners to decarbonise immediately while preparing for future infrastructure upgrades.

Key Message for Facilities Managers

Decarbonisation should be viewed as a system challenge rather than a technology contest. To achieve net zero at scale, an energy strategy must be flexible, pragmatic, and grounded in the operational realities of buildings. Future fuels do not hinder electrification; they make it possible by reducing risks and avoiding unnecessary infrastructure upgrades. Ultimately, while EPC reform will reshape the commercial built environment, it presents an opportunity for facilities management teams to use data and technology to convert compliance pressure into long-term performance gains.

Spotlight Interview – Chris Goggin | Rinnai – Part 1 – see here.
Spotlight Interview – Chris Goggin | Rinnai – Part 2 – see here.

Picture: A headshot of Chris Goggin, Director of Operations at Rinnai UK.

Article written by Dave Mapps | Published 07 July 2026

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