Gas Boiler Ban: Will They Be Phased Out in 2025 or 2035?
- Plans to ban gas boilers by 2035 have been overturned by the labour government.
- Policies are yet to be published indicating if gas boilers will be phased out in the future.
- Gas boilers are now still a viable option for homes across the UK.
When are gas boilers being phased out?
In recent years the previous Government laid plans to phase out gas boilers, eliminating them from new builds and banning the sale of new gas boilers by 2035. However, recent reports (as of Jan. 7th 2025), suggest that the new Labour Government is scrapping these plans.
As part of their new 'Future Home Standards' policy (expected to be published later this year), it is expected to be announced that newly built homes will be under stricter energy-efficiency measures. Rather than banning a gas boiler, the efficiency levels required could negate the ability to install a fossil-fuelled heating system (as it won't reach the required performance levels).
For existing homeowners, however, this news may be a welcome U-turn, as it means the choice to replace your existing boiler with a new one is still a viable option. Under previous plans, once your gas boiler died (after 2035) you would need to replace it with a low-carbon heating system, such as a heat pump.
Why is the 2035 gas boiler ban scrapped?
Until new policies are announced, and official documents published, it is unclear why previous plans have been overturned. At this point, we can only speculate. One of the more prominent theories among experts is that the previous plan would put too much pressure on homeowners financially, to invest and install renewable technologies – as prices are still not comparable to gas boilers.
Other theories suggest that this government is simply taking an alternative approach to lowering carbon emissions. Rather than focus on a ban, they are extending funding opportunities to encourage more uptake of heat pumps.
We may discover later in the year that a phased approach to replacing boilers is still on the table – we just don't know when or how this will yet happen. As more news is released we will keep our pages updated.
Why did the UK government want to phase out gas boilers?
The main driver behind phasing out gas boilers was to tackle climate change. The previous government had committed to ambitious targets of reaching Net Zero by 2050. In order to do this, drastic measures had to be put in place.
As home heating accounts for at least 14% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, tackling the problem of heating seemed like an ideal solution. However, the plans to phase out boilers received a lot of backlash. Whilst in theory, this would help achieve Net Zero, renewable alternatives, such as heat pumps, are still too expensive for most households.
To bolster this ambitious plan, the government launched the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – a dedicated fund to help homeowners with the cost of renewable installations (particularly heat pumps). However, this also faced criticism as it offered only a small percentage towards the overall installation costs.
The good news is, however, that funding for the BUS increased by 50% in 2023. In addition, the current government recently committed a further £295 million towards the scheme and plans to extend its duration.
What are the best gas boiler alternatives?
If you wish to switch from a gas boiler, you have several choices. A simple solution would be an electric boiler, but the most efficient option would be a renewable system.
Here are some of the best alternatives and the main reasons you might choose them:
1. Heat pumps
Air source or ground source heat pumps are the popular alternatives to gas boilers. The work by extracting heat from natural resources – such as ambient outside air, or thermal heat sources underground. They transfer heat, rather than creating it through burning fuel, meaning they emit less emissions with a high efficiency.
Reasons to choose a heat pump:
- They produce 3 – 4 times the amount of heat for each unit of energy they consume.
- They can provide heating and cooling.
- They emit almost 95% less carbon emissions than gas boilers.
- Eligible for government funding through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
2. Electric boilers
A simple switch from a gas boiler is to opt for an electric one. They work almost the same, but they use electricity to heat your water rather than a combustible fuel source. There are some great reasons to consider this option:
- Produce zero emissions (at the source).
- Up to 100% efficiency.
- Compact and easy to fit in place of an existing combi boiler.
Both of the above options do have some drawbacks, particularly as they both run on electricity. To combat this, you can easily pair both systems with solar panels, to produce a free, renewable energy source for your heating system.
3. Biomass boiler
For an alternative choice, you may want to consider a biomass boiler. These use organic materials, such as wood pellets or logs, as a fuel source. These are great for those in remote areas, but they also offer:
- A renewable fuel option.
- Carbon neutral operation, when materials are sustainably sourced.
- Eligible for government funding through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
When choosing an alternative, consider factors like your home’s size, insulation levels, and local climate. While upfront costs for many alternatives are higher than that of new boiler costs, long-term energy savings and environmental benefits can make them worthwhile investments. Government incentives like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can also help offset initial costs for eligible systems.
Is it still smart to buy a new gas boiler?
Yes, gas boilers are still a great option for most homes. This latest news is also encouraging, as it means that if your boiler is nearing the end of its life, you can still replace it with a new one for at least the next 10 years (that is, unless government plans change).
Modern gas boilers can last up to 15 years before you need to consider a replacement. Even if you did buy a new one now, that means you wouldn't need to worry about an alternative until at least 2024! If you have a particularly old boiler, however, that's often breaking down or needs repairs – it's probably more sensible to consider replacing it sooner rather than later.
Finding the right boiler type for your needs is best done with the help of a professional installer. They can advise on the right size and fuel options for your home and help you get set up and ready for another 15 years of excellent home heating.
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FAQ
Are gas boilers going to be banned?
Latest news (as of Jan. 7th) suggests that any plans to ban gas boilers in the UK will be overturned by the current labour government. Until final policies are announced, however, full details remain unclear.
Will I still be able to buy a gas boiler after 2025?
Yes, any plans to phase out gas boilers have now been scrapped. This means you are still able to buy a gas boiler in the UK for the foreseeable future. (If government plans change, we will update this advice).
What will replace gas boilers in 2030?
Despite there being no current plans to phase out gas boilers, climate change is still a huge concern for the government. It is therefore likely that future plans will push for more homes to replace boilers with heat pumps – to reduce emissions and achieve Net Zero targets for the UK.