If you’re looking at buying a boiler, you may be wondering whether they will become obsolete. The answer is yes, but it’s not really worth worrying about just yet.
As part of the UK ‘green industrial revolution’ plan shared in 2020, the UK government announced a ban on gas boilers being installed in new-build homes from 2023, instead mandating the use of heat pumps. However, this announcement was quickly retracted and pushed back until 2035.
Boilers will be around for many years to come and there are still new innovations being made in this area every year that make them more energy-efficient and subsequently more environmentally friendly, so there will be a need for boilers (and gas engineers) for a long time to come.
What is a heat pump?
A boiler works by using pressure to heat water which then turns into steam, the steam can then be used for heating or cooling buildings. Heat pumps are a bit more complex than boilers, they work by transferring heat from one place (like the outside) to another (like inside your house), they do this using an air-to-air heat exchanger, which is basically just a fancy way of saying they move air around in order to keep things warm! Whilst heat pumps may well be the future, at present they are very expensive at around £6000 and upwards for an air source heat pump and up to an eyewatering £18,000 for a ground-source heat pump – it’s fair to say that a lot of work will need to be done to bring these prices down before they become commonplace in UK homes.
Has the UK Government banned Gas boilers?
If you’re wondering whether the UK Government is planning to ban gas boilers, the answer is no.
However, from 2035 onwards, newbuild properties will be banned from installing any new gas or oil boilers. The ban aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve air quality in our towns and cities. It does not apply to existing properties though – so if you already own a boiler then you can keep using it, and if you need a new boiler now, you’ll still be fine getting one.
So it’s still okay to get a gas boiler?
The good news is that boilers aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’re here to stay, and they’ll continue to play an important role in heating your home for many more years. And for those who are concerned about the environmental impact of heating their home with gas, there are plenty of energy-efficient models available now which can offer great improvements to their existing systems.
Need a new boiler installed?
Now that you know that installing a boiler is still a great idea for heating your home over the coming years and beyond, the next step is to find a boiler installer. PrimeTime Boilers are an Essex-based company serving areas right across the southeast including East London, Berkshire, Surrey, East Sussex and beyond. Give us a call on 0808 134 9498 (landline) or 01992 238 251 (mobile) to arrange a consultation now, and don’t forget to check out our 5* Trustpilot reviews here.
