Are Gas Boilers Being Phased Out in the UK?

You may have heard about the potential ban on gas boilers in the near future. But what are the specifics of this proposed ban?

Will it involve a phased approach, and will it impact all gas boilers across the UK?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the details of the proposed gas boiler ban, address how it may be phased out, and discuss its implications for households throughout the UK.

We’ll also answer additional frequently asked questions on this important topic.

Let’s dive in!

Key Points: 

• Gas & oil boilers will likely be banned in new built properties only - from 2025 onwards. 

• This does not include current housing stock - there is no plan to ban them from current homes. 

• However, the Government are attempting to encourage homes to swap to renewables like heat pumps via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). 

• The Heat and Buildings Strategy also states that it's aiming to phase out the installation of natural gas boilers beyond 2035. 

• Please be aware that this does not mean you will have to remove your boiler beyond this date, however, when it comes time to replace it, you will have to choose an alternative option. 

• Exact plans, including dates and timelines, are still a moving picture and the government continues to review the situation.  

Are Gas Boilers Being Phased Out? 

First and foremost, there are no current government plans to ban gas boilers outright.

That said, the government has proposed a ban on installing gas boilers in new-build homes from 2025. This policy is part of the broader effort to reduce carbon emissions from domestic heating.

There have also been discussions about ending the sale of new gas boilers from 2035, though this target appears highly ambitious and may be pushed back.

As for existing gas boilers, an outright ban remains a long way off. It’s likely that older boilers will continue to operate well beyond 2050, unless the UK undergoes a very rapid transition to low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps or hydrogen-ready boilers.

In short, while there are no confirmed plans to phase out gas boilers completely, the government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 suggests that further restrictions are inevitable over time.

However, it remains unclear whether this 2025 target will be met or delayed. For now, only time will tell how quickly the UK moves away from gas-powered heating.

Domestic Heating Systems of Tomorrow

Imagine the UK in 2060. Gas boilers have almost entirely been phased out with just a small percentage of households still using ‘old-fashioned’ gas central heating.

But how would the homes of 2060 heat themselves?

There are several alternatives to gas central heating, and some seem more likely than others to play a significant role in the future.

Heat Pumps

One of the up-and-coming low-carbon heating solutions is that of heat pumps.

A heat pump is designed to extract energy from the outside air or ground in order to heat the inside of a property.

The government appears to be wagering on heat pumps to play a major role in heating the UK households of the future. 

For one, there are plans to ensure that all new build properties from around 2025 onwards are compatible with the installation of a low-carbon heating solution such as a heat pump.

Air source heat pumps cost approximately £8,000 to £15,000 to install whereas it costs somewhere in the region of £18,000 to £25,000 to have a ground source heat pump installed.

In each case, we have taken the cost of labour and supply costs into consideration.

For those in England and Wales, the BUS can slash the total cost of installing a heat pump by £5,000 if you opt for an air-source heat pump or £6,000 in the case of a ground-source heat pump.

Electric Boilers

While natural gas boilers are by far the most common option, electric boilers are increasing in popularity.

These boilers work in a very similar way to their gas counterparts (or rivals may be more fitting) with the key difference of course being how they are fuelled.

An electric boiler generally costs somewhere in the region of £1,000 to £2,500 to install making it marginally cheaper (on average) to install than a gas boiler. 

Electric boilers, however, must be powered by a green energy source to be truly eco-friendly.

After all, if fossil fuels are used to generate the electricity used by an electric boiler it will not ultimately be good for the environment.

This is contrasted by a scenario where an electric boiler is powered by green electricity, whether supplied by a green energy provider or on-site renewable technology.

Hydrogen Boilers

While hydrogen boilers are still gas boilers, they are far better for the environment than natural gas or LPG boilers.

Therefore, you may see a scenario where hydrogen boilers remain prominent in the UK even with the use of heating fuels like natural gas, LPG and oil declining.

There is already a push for the widespread rollout of hydrogen-ready boilers, which would be capable of running on natural gas or hydrogen.

Alternatively, manufacturers may eventually produce boilers that are solely designed for hydrogen.

Recommended reading: 

• Average carbon footprint in the UK. 

• Where does the UK get its gas from?

• Most polluting industries. 

• How to reduce your carbon emissions. 

• How to generate energy at home. 

Biomass Boilers

Last but not least, some, larger properties may find biomass boilers appealing. These boilers burn organic material (e.g., wood pellets or logs) to generate heat.

They are largely eco-friendly, but they are primarily used in commercial settings.

While some larger households may take an interest, they cost somewhere in the region of £4,000 to £10,000 to install on average.

Get a Quote for a New Boiler Today 

If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new boiler, consider getting a quote from us, here’s why:

• Gas Safe installation within 24 hours.

• Thousands of satisfied customers with an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, surpassing the market leader.

• Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

• Price match guarantee: We will match any like-for-like cheaper quote.

• Flexible payment options, including interest-free finance.

• Up to 12-year guarantee on selected boilers.

• Fixed price guarantee: No hidden costs.

• Save your quote and decide later.

• Get an instant fixed price on a new boiler, here.

To learn more about boilers, visit our advice section, check out our YouTube channel, or read customer testimonials here.