Key points to note from this guide:
By 2025 newly built homes will be banned from installing gas boilers
By 2035 the government hopes to have phased out ALL gas boilers
Renewable heating systems such as heat pumps will be the way forward
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In 2019 the Climate Change Committee recommended that the UK needed to hit a Net Zero emissions target to reduce the effect of climate change.
Soon after, the UK Government announced they’d be laying down a strategy to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy to reach a zero-carbon target by 2050.
Just one part of this strategy is the implementation of the gas boiler ban.
Why are they banning gas boilers?
Reducing the number of emissions released into the atmosphere can improve public health, boost the global economy through green energy, and help maintain plant and animal diversity.
The Climate Change Committee has reported that 95% of homes are centrally heated. Included in that, there are estimated to be around 26 MILLION gas boilers, each releasing 3.54 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year!
The UK isn’t alone, gas boilers are used across the world.
The graphic below shows how much gas is used to heat buildings worldwide.
When is the gas boiler ban?
The Government released the Heat and Building Strategy in October 2021. This in-depth document outlines the significant changes we will see in the coming years to make the UK more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
2025 - Gas boilers will be banned from ‘new build’ homes.
The aim is to phase out the installation of, as they have put it, “the dirtiest and most expensive fossil fuel systems”.
2030 - Reduce the cost of heat pump installation.
The heavy investment is planned to make sure heat pumps are no more expensive to buy and run than gas boilers.
2035 - Phase out ALL gas boilers.
The strategy aims to remove all gas boilers by 2035. This doesn’t mean someone is coming to rip your boiler away in the middle of winter. It just means if your gas boiler gives in after 2035, you’ll need to look at installing a low carbon alternative.
How will I be affected by the boiler ban?
Any changes don’t come into play until 2025, so there is no need to worry about the gas boiler ban just yet.
If you’re planning ahead and looking to buy or build a new home, you will have to look for gas boiler alternatives. Renewable alternatives such as heat pumps are seen to have a large upfront cost for many people.
However; in March 2022, the Government introduced the Boiler Upgrade scheme, allowing homeowners up to £5000 off particular renewable energy sources.
Although you don’t need to make any drastic changes to your home right now, you can expect to swap out your gas boiler for a greener alternative somewhere between now and 2050.
What will replace gas boilers in 2025?
This big change may seem like a lot to take in, but there are many renewable heating sources out there. As technology continues to advance there is no doubt there will be more solutions to add to this list.
Infrared Heating Panels
This fairly new technology is highly efficient. The panels emit heat which travels through the air until it hits an object, and the vibration of the collision re-radiates the heat back into the room - basically recycling the heat.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps are essentially pipes that are placed in your garden or backyard, the pipe extracts the heat from the ground and pushes it throughout your home.
There are two types of ground source heat pumps, looped and boreholes. Looped heat pumps require a large area, such as a large garden, as the piping is looped.
Boreholes require minimal room as they will be going vertically down into the ground to extract the heat.
Ground source heat pumps are one of the most efficient renewable heating sources on the market today.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps are attached to the side of your home, draw in air and extract it into your home. On average, you could save around £500 every year on your heating bills compared to gas boilers.
Both air source and ground source are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, where you could receive up to £5000 to cover the upfront costs.
Hydrogen Boilers
Hydrogen boilers are still in the development phase; however, it’s hoped that in a few years they can be used as replacements to gas boilers. From 2025 - 2030, a 20% hydrogen blend will be introduced into the gas grid.
As well as being completely clean, the main benefit of hydrogen boilers is that they work in a very similar way to gas boilers, making it easier for people to accept them.
Gas Boiler Ban Recap
It’s out with gas boilers and in with renewable energy - but not quite yet. The phasing out of gas boilers for new homes in 2025 will be the first big step towards a net-zero world.
If you’re interested in learning more about heat pumps or other renewable energy sources, contact the Green Energy 4 All team.