UK Gas Boiler Ban 2025 – Everything You Need to Know

The UK government outlined a target in 2019 to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means that from 2025 onwards, gas boilers will be banned for installation into new homes, with a full ban likely to come into play sometime before 2050.

Unfortunately these ambitious targets are unlikely to be met without the near-complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from the UK’s buildings, according to a recent ‘UK Housing: Fit for the Future’ report, which highlights rising energy use and a slow reduction in household carbon emissions as barriers to the nation’s net zero target.

Why are Boilers Getting Banned in the UK?

The government introduced its 2050 Net Zero initiative in a bid to combat global warming amid global concerns over climate change and the ongoing use of fossil fuels. Currently, the UK’s heating accounts for a third of its greenhouse gas emissions, which is unsurprising considering a staggering 95% of UK homes rely on natural gas boilers for their heating needs.

As part of its efforts, the government is urging households to install low carbon, energy efficient alternatives to traditional gas boilers.

Will Gas Boilers be Banned in 2025?

Gas boilers will be phased out in the UK in several stages. From 2025 onwards gas boilers will be banned from new build homes, though hybrid or hydrogen-ready will be allowed. By 2035 no fossil fuel boilers will be allowed to be installed in UK homes. By 2050, there will be no fossil fuel boilers remaining in the UK. Eventually, the entire nation will need to install carbon-friendly alternatives for their heating.

How Will The Gas Boiler Ban Impact You?

At some point between now and 2050, every household will have to swap its gas boiler for a greener alternative with a lower carbon footprint.

Compared to fossil fuel central heating systems, alternative heating solutions come with a host of benefits. From solar panels to heat pump systems, there’s a heating system out there for anyone looking to avoid waste heat, unnecessary heating bills, or change their heating for something greener.

Electric heaters in particular are cost-effective, energy-efficient and require far less maintenance than their gas counterparts. Here is a breakdown of prices for the heating solutions available to you:

While these home heating solutions offer a range of savings and benefits, there are also several cons that should be considered depending on the solution. Infrared panels and solar heating systems take up a lot of space, for example, that isn’t available to everyone.

Biomass boilers and heat pumps, on the other hand, require high upfront costs and regular maintenance to keep running. Solar-powered heating heavily depends on where your house is and how much sun you receive – if you’re not partial to sunny skies, these will be of little use when it comes to heating your home.

Apart from electric radiators and electric water heaters, none of these solutions are returnable or easy to fix which could spell costly repairs should something go wrong.

What Will Replace Gas Central Heating Boilers?

For a truly efficient alternative to gas boilers, look no further than electric-powered heaters for your home and water. Modern electric radiators are highly efficient, capable of heating large or high-ceiling rooms with ease, and are highly programmable. This customisation allows you to set specific programmes for your heating to ensure you’re never wasting a penny on your energy bill.

These units are easy to install too, and can be set up in a matter of minutes. They can be free-standing or wall-mounted, and can be placed in any room of the home including places where it can be expensive to install traditional radiators, such as garages, sheds or conservatories.

While electric radiators and electric towel rails take care of your household heating, electric water heaters look after your home’s hot water needs. These heaters provide quicker hot water, are highly efficient and don’t lose any heat through ventilation – a problem that is common with gas boilers.

These units are far cheaper to install than traditional boilers. They are the most affordable option available due to the fact that installation reflects only the size of the water heater and not its power source. They also don’t require the new piping, intricate fitting or ventilation systems needed to set up a gas boiler.

A combination of electric radiators, electric water heaters and electric towel rails is a perfect alternative to a gas boiler. It could make your home far more energy-efficient at a cheaper monthly cost.

Together, these electric alternatives can ensure your household is compliant with the government’s net zero goals and could save you time, money and energy for years to come.

Click here for our full breakdown of gas boiler alternatives.

FAQ

●    Are gas boilers going to be phased out?

Yes. From 2025 onwards gas boilers will be banned from new build homes (though hybrid or hydrogen-ready will still be allowed). By 2035 no fossil fuel boilers will be allowed to be installed in UK homes.

●    Will I have to replace my gas boiler after 2025?

Not straight away, but you will have to replace it for a carbon-friendly alternative by 2035 after which point gas boilers will be banned from being installed in UK homes.

●    Will the government make me get rid of my gas boiler?

Yes. By 2035 it will be illegal to install gas boilers, after which when you replace your gas boiler you must do so with an alternative heating system.

Conclusion

 Whether it’s today or in a few years’ time, all UK homes will eventually have to switch to alternative heating systems as the government phases out the use of gas boilers. To make sure you’re in line with these new changes – and to make the most of cost and energy savings with a cheaper, more efficient alternative – switch your old gas boiler today.