Scrapping the gas boiler ban, the government declares no compulsion to remove functioning boilers from households.
In a significant change of strategy, the UK government has scrapped plans for a gas boiler ban in existing homes, originally scheduled for 2035 [1]. However, the government still aims to end the installation of new gas boilers by 2035 as part of its broader climate and building decarbonization strategy [2].
The UK's commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 is evident in its policies, which are progressively decarbonizing the building sector [1][2]. The focus is now on voluntary adoption of low-carbon heating alternatives, supported by financial incentives and relaxed planning rules.
One of the key policies is the ban on fossil fuel heating installations in new homes starting from 2025 [2]. The government also plans to end the installation of new gas boilers by 2035 across existing homes [2]. Additionally, minimum energy efficiency standards, particularly for rented properties, have been introduced [2].
The government is promoting various alternatives to gas boilers, with heat pumps being one of the primary choices. These systems use electricity to provide low-carbon heating and are suitable for many homes [1][2]. District heating networks, which distribute heat from a central source to multiple buildings, are another option, potentially using low-carbon sources [2]. Low-carbon hydrogen heating trials are also being explored in selected areas [2].
The Warm Homes Plan, set to be introduced later in 2025, aims to ensure that heat pumps cost the same to buy and run as gas boilers by 2030 [3]. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, launched in April 2022, offers grants of up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing heat pump technology [4]. This scheme, along with the Energy Saving Trust's assertion that heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than traditional boilers [5], aims to bring the cost of installing a heat pump to a similar level as a new gas boiler.
The government has also announced plans to remove planning constraints to make it easier to install heat pumps [2]. Biomass boilers are also eligible for a £5,000 grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme [4]. Solar thermal panels, log burning stoves, and hydrogen heating are other alternatives to gas boilers.
While no immediate ban on gas boilers exists, the market and policies are evolving towards cleaner heating technologies over the next decade. The government's decision to move away from the planned gas boiler ban marks a change in its strategy for reducing household emissions, focusing instead on incentivizing the adoption of low-carbon heating alternatives.
References: [1] BBC News (2021, September 15). Gas boiler ban: UK government scraps plans for 2035. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58556713 [2] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2021, July 15). Heat and Buildings Strategy: Building a cleaner, greener future. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy---building-a-cleaner-greener-future/heat-and-buildings-strategy---building-a-cleaner-greener-future [3] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2021, September 15). Warm Homes Discount. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-homes-discount-scheme [4] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2022, April 26). Boiler Upgrade Scheme opens for applications. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boiler-upgrade-scheme-opens-for-applications [5] Energy Saving Trust (n.d.). Heat pumps. Retrieved from https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency/heat-pumps
- The UK government has scrapped plans for a gas boiler ban in existing homes, initially planned for 2035.
- However, the government aims to end the installation of new gas boilers by 2035 as part of its broader climate and building decarbonization strategy.
- The focus is now on voluntary adoption of low-carbon heating alternatives, supported by financial incentives and relaxed planning rules.
- One of the key policies is the ban on fossil fuel heating installations in new homes starting from 2025.
- The government also plans to end the installation of new gas boilers by 2035 across existing homes.
- Minimum energy efficiency standards, particularly for rented properties, have been introduced.
- The Warm Homes Plan aims to ensure that heat pumps cost the same to buy and run as gas boilers by 2030.
- The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing heat pump technology.
- The government has announced plans to remove planning constraints to make it easier to install heat pumps.
- Biomass boilers are eligible for a £5,000 grant under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
- Solar thermal panels, log burning stoves, and hydrogen heating are other alternatives to gas boilers, as the government's strategy evolves towards cleaner heating technologies, influenced by climate-change, renewable-energy, environmental-science, policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
