Reports this week are speculating that Labour may be considering revoking the 2035 gas boiler ban. The previous Conservative-led government had planned to ban all new gas boilers from 2035, so people would instead have to replace it with a heat pump or other eco-friendly system. However, this policy may be dropped by the current Labour Government.
Current Policy: When Will My Boiler Be Banned?
Under the current policy, gas boilers will not be banned until 2035. No one with an existing gas boiler will be forced to get rid of it; you just can’t purchase a new one after 2035. The new plans will completely scrap this and the requirement to replace broken gas boilers with heat pumps and alternatives.
If you currently heat your home using a gas boiler, you can carry on using it. Plus, if your boiler breaks down or you need to replace it, you could still replace it with a gas boiler – even after 2035.
Regulations For Newly-Built Properties
For newly-built properties, the regulations are different. From 2025, building regulations state that heating systems which burn fossil fuels will be banned from new builds. All homes built after 2025 will have an alternative heating system, such as a heat pump.
The new regulations mean that the gas boiler ban will only impact newly-built properties, so won’t affect you if your home was built before 2025.
But…Why Are Gas Boilers Being Banned?
Most of us in the UK are still heating our homes using a gas boiler. In fact, 23 million homes are heated this way. But that doesn’t mean its necessarily the best way! In comparison, Denmark only has 400,000 homes using a gas boiler.
With an old, G-rated boiler, up to 40% of the money you spend is wasted. Heat pumps are far more efficient, so less money is wasted and you receive a lower energy bill.
Plus, home heating accounts for 38% of all UK gas use, contributing to our CO2 emissions. The UK Government has a commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, so phasing out gas boilers is a crucial step to reach that goal. It’s predicted that 10 million new gas boilers will be installed before 2035, hindering the chances of reaching that goal.
Gas Boilers vs. Heat Pumps
Gas boilers are not an efficient way of heating your home, especially when compared with heat pumps. A heat pump is up to 400x more efficient than an old gas boiler, meaning your home is cheaper and easier to heat.
Below is table for an easy side-by-side comparison of the two heating systems.
| Factor | Old Gas Boiler | Air Source Heat Pump |
| Efficiency | 60%-90% | 300% – 400% |
| Initial Purchase Cost | £2500 – £3500 | £8000 – £12000 |
| Running Cost (yearly) | £800 – £1500 | £400 – £1000 |
| CO2 Emissions | 180-200g CO2/kWh | 0-50g CO2/kWh |
| Lifespan | 10 – 15 years | 15 – 25 years |
Although the initial cost of a gas boiler system is cheaper, a heat pump excels in most other areas.
Switch To A Heat Pump – For Free!
If you are heating your home with an old gas boiler, you could get an air source heat pump completely free of charge. Plus, you’ll also receive free solar panels and insulation for your property. These measures are provided and installed for free thanks to a government-backed heating grant.
These grants and schemes have been set up to help cut down UK CO2 emissions by heating homes more efficiently. This means your home will waste less energy, saving you hundreds each year off your energy bills.
You can apply for this package of home energy upgrades with Energy Advice Helpline in just 30 seconds. Click below to see if you’re eligible.
