You may well have seen reports that gas boilers will be banned in the UK from 2025. This news has left many people wondering whether they’ll be required to replace an existing boiler.
Any changes will affect most of us in the UK, as gas boilers are currently used by around 80% of the population.
Here, we explain who is affected by the gas boiler ban and what the changes will mean for you.
Do I need to replace my gas boiler?
There is no legislation in place that would force you to scrap or replace your existing gas boiler after 2025. If your boiler is in good condition, you won’t be required to get rid of it.
It’s worth bearing in mind that if your boiler is relatively old, it’s likely to be much less energy efficient. New boilers offer a large upgrade in energy efficiency so it may be a good to time think about replacing your old boiler.
Who will the gas boiler ban affect?
Under the gas boiler ban legislation, there will be no new gas boilers installed in newly built homes after 2025. This means that all new homes will use alternative heating systems such as heat pumps.
Properties built before 2025 will not be affected by the ban and homeowners will not be forced to replace their current gas boilers.
Why are gas boilers being replaced?
The gas boiler ban was introduced as a measure to help the UK government reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Finding alternatives to fossil fuels is a vital step in achieving the net zero target.
To help them achieve their goal, the government has introduced the Heat and Buildings Strategy to tackle emissions in homes and businesses. Phasing out boilers powered by natural gas is a key part of that process.
What is the alternative to gas boilers?
There are two key heating systems which are planned to be the future of heating your home. These are heat pumps and hydrogen boilers.
Both options aim to offer greater energy efficiency with reduced carbon emissions when compared to standard gas boilers.
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Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are based on the same technology found in your fridge freezer. Using air and a small amount of electricity, heat pumps absorb heat from the air outside and compresses it to reach a high temperature. The heat is then transferred around your home to keep you warm.
As with many new technologies, the initial cost of heat pumps is quite high. The cost of installing air source heat pumps can range between £6,000 and £18,000. As the technology develops, it is hoped these costs will reduce to ensure heat pumps are more affordable.
In the long term, heat pumps are still more efficient than a traditional hot water boiler system. However, not all homes will currently be able to install heat pumps.
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Hydrogen Boilers
Another potential replacement for gas boilers is a hydrogen boiler. The UK government plans to introduce hydrogen boilers gradually as an alternative to gas boilers. The phase of this plan is to introduce a 20% hydrogen blend into the UK mains supply by 2028 at the earliest.
Many boiler providers are now selling hydrogen-blend ready boilers to ensure their customers don’t need to replace their boilers again when the switch happens.
Although there are some differences in how hydrogen burns, hydrogen boilers are similar to our standard gas boilers. The cost of a hydrogen-blend ready boiler is even around the same price as the equivalent gas boiler, so you won’t have to pay over the odds to stay up to date.
It’s important to note that 100% hydrogen boilers are not yet available in the UK. Companies such as Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch have developed full-hydrogen boilers and the technology has been demonstrated in test homes. However, the switch to 100% hydrogen boilers is still likely a long way off.
What should I do if I need to replace my boiler?
Whenever you purchase a new boiler, it’s important to install a system which is as efficient as possible. Not only will an efficient boiler be kinder to the environment, but it will also help to keep your energy bills as low as possible.
If you’re ready to replace your old boiler, click here to get a quote from a local Gas Safe installer.