Is it still worth getting a new gas boiler installed if a potential ban looms? Here we explore current plans, timelines and potential low carbon alternatives.
If you’re contemplating whether it’s worth investing in a gas boiler right now, you’re not alone. The ongoing headlines about the “gas boiler ban” can be quite attention-grabbing.
What’s the Reality? Will Gas Boilers Become Obsolete?
The short answer is no, gas boilers are not set to become obsolete in the near future. The proposed legislation currently aims to ban gas boilers in new-build properties only from 2025 onwards. However, this legislation has yet to be signed into law.
Understanding the Current Announcements and Alternatives
In this article, we will outline the latest announcements regarding gas boilers and explore the alternatives that are currently available.
Note: For full transparency, we install gas boilers, as well as hybrid heat pumps, battery storage, and solar panels. While we have a vested interest in installing boilers, we also recognise the important role that renewable energy sources will play in the UK’s future.
Are Gas Boilers Being Banned in the UK?
Due to the UK Government's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, decarbonising domestic heating is a key part of this strategy. This means that over the coming decades, the way we heat our homes will undergo significant changes.
However, it's important to clarify the following points:
Proposed Ban for New-Build Properties: A gas boiler ban has been proposed for new-build properties starting in 2025. This proposal is still pending approval and has not yet been signed into law.
Existing Housing Stock: Current homes can continue to install gas boilers and will not be affected by the proposed rules for new-build properties.
Future Proposals: There are additional proposals to ban new gas boiler installations in existing homes beyond 2035.
Continued Use of Existing Boilers: If you install a gas combi boiler now, you will be able to continue using it as normal. Even if a new ban comes into effect in 2035, it will only impact new installations, meaning it will only affect you when it comes time to replace your boiler.
By understanding these details, you can see that the attention-grabbing headlines published routinely do not always detail the nuanced nature of the plans or what we currently know about them.
Should You Buy A New Gas Boiler?
If you are considering replacing your current gas boiler but are worried about a potential ban, we hope to clarify that there is no imminent ban, except for new-build properties starting in 2025.
Key Points to Consider:
1. Current Affordability: Gas boilers remain the most cost-effective heating system to install and run in the UK. This is due to several factors:
Availability of Gas-Safe Engineers: There are more certified gas engineers compared to renewable energy installers.
Installation Costs: Installing systems like heat pumps is currently more expensive.
Cost of Electricity: Electricity is, on average, three times more expensive than gas.
2. Environmental Concerns: If reducing your household’s carbon footprint is a priority, switching to a heat pump can be a beneficial choice:
Zero Carbon Emissions: Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels and use only electricity, making them a zero-carbon heating option.
Cleaner Energy: Although not all electricity is generated from renewable sources, about 40% of the UK’s electricity comes from renewables, making heat pumps a more environmentally friendly option compared to gas boilers.
Summary:
Gas Boiler Ban: A ban on gas boilers is not expected soon and will primarily affect new-build properties from 2025 onwards. For existing homes, the ban is proposed for 2035 and will only impact new installations.
Cost Efficiency: Gas boilers are still the cheapest domestic heating system to install and operate.
Green Alternatives: If environmental impact is a significant concern, consider low-carbon heating options. However, be mindful that not all electricity used by these systems is generated from carbon-free sources.
By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision about whether to replace your gas boiler now or consider alternative heating options.
What Are The Alternatives to Gas Boilers?
In the coming decades, it's likely that a range of low-carbon heating options will replace domestic gas boilers, including heat networks, heat pumps and perhaps even hydrogen boilers.
As part of the Government's Heating & building Strategy, funds are being heavily invested in research and development for hydrogen heating and other innovative technologies.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are currently being heavily promoted as they are currently the only available low-carbon option available for the domestic market.
However, the reality is that there are several barriers to their widespread adoption, including their expense, performance issues and availability of trained installers. In time, it is hoped that as demand increases, prices will decrease.
At present you can secure a grant to help with the costs of replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme., this grant offers:
£7,500 for air source heat pumps and biomass boilers.
£7,500 for ground source heat pumps.
The BUS funding available totals £450 million, which is part of a much larger £3.9 billion of new funding being announced today by the government for decarbonising heat and buildings.
Unfortunatley, right now, the average cost of a heat pump installation is ~£10,000. Therefore, a considerable amount of investment from the homeowner is still required.
Why Are Boilers Being Banned?
In response to this global climate emergency, in 2016, at the Accord on Climate Change in Paris, the UK government, together with the world’s largest economies agreed to tackle global warming by becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
As a result, traditional heating methods, which according to the Committee on Climate Change currently account for one-third of UK carbon emissions, are at the centre of the government's low carbon agenda and change is inevitable.
95% of UK homes are centrally heated and most of these households rely on gas or oil-fired boilers.
The main issue with gas and oil boilers is that they emit carbon, a major greenhouse gas that is contributing to global warming.
These gases cannot escape the atmosphere and instead remain trapped, causing the earth’s temperature to rise.
Low carbon heating methods that emit zero or little carbon are an essential ingredient to achieving the targets; this includes technologies such as heat pumps, solar, biomass and the adoption of hydrogen boilers.
In terms of domestic heating, the key legislation and government plans include the following:
The Heat and Buildings Strategy is a comprehensive plan outlined by the UK government to decarbonise the heating of buildings as part of the broader goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This currently includes:
Banning the installation of gas boilers in new-build homes from 2025.
Encouraging the adoption of low-carbon heating technologies such as heat pumps and hydrogen boilers.
The Future Homes Standard, set to be introduced in 2025, establishes new building regulations to ensure that new homes produce 75-80% less carbon emissions compared to current levels.
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.
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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.
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