2025 Gas Boiler Ban

All You Need to Know & Green Heating Alternatives to Consider

It is well documented that the UK’s housing stock is some of the oldest and worst insulated in Europe[1], so the proposed gas boiler ban is a welcome step forward in upgrading Britain’s households and helping consumers make much needed energy savings, argues heating expert and leading manufacturer, Alpha.

Proposed as part of the 2025 Future Homes Standard, the 2025 gas boiler ban will prevent any new build homes from connecting to the gas network, instead they will have to be heated using low carbon, energy-efficient technologies such as heat pumps. Furthermore, the Heat and Buildings Strategy published by the government last year suggests that from 2035, gas boiler installations in existing homes should also cease.

“There has been much discussion about the timelines for the proposed ban(s), and what this means for consumers; especially regarding whether replacements should be organised immediately,” says Alpha’s technical manager, Darran Smith. “The most important thing is to reassure homeowners that the ban is only a proposal at this stage and is not confirmed. If it does become legislation, this still won’t affect homeowners with existing gas boilers and they can continue to use these providing that they are in good working order. To confirm this, homeowners must ensure they keep on top of their annual boiler servicing.

“Should the bans pass into legislation, the impact on homeowners will be:

• Those moving to a new build property after 2025 will need to check it is heated with a low carbon alternative;
• Self-builders from 2025 will need to ensure they install energy-efficient heating systems;
• After 2035, when an existing gas boiler reaches the end of its life it will need to be replaced with a low carbon option.”

One of the government’s recommended alternatives to gas boilers is a heat pump, and it has outlined an ambitious target for 600,000 installations every year by 2028[2]. To incentivise homeowners, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was launched earlier this year and invites those eligible to apply for a grant of up to £6,000 to make the switch to a more eco-friendly heating option such as an air source heat pump, ground source heat pump or biomass boiler.

Darran adds: “The reasoning behind the proposed ban is sound, and homeowners should be called upon to play their part in helping the UK achieve its 2050 net zero ambitions. 21% of the UK’s carbon emissions comes from homes[3] so it’s really important we bring renewable technologies further into the mainstream consciousness. The proposed gas boiler ban is a step in the right direction for this and other green heating options consumers can consider include hybrid heat pumps, solar thermal panels and hydrogen-ready boilers. With us all trying to make as many energy savings as possible in the current climate, our advice is to strongly consider an eco-heating system.