In 2021, the UK government announced its intention to ban the sale of new gas boilers by 2035. The ban will affect more than 10 million homes, making it one of the most significant changes in energy policy since World War II. But how will this impact you? Will heat pumps actually replace gas boilers by 2035? And if so, should you invest in one now or wait until they become more affordable? Read on as we explore these questions and more.
Gas boilers will be phased out
The government wants to phase out the use of gas boilers in an effort to transition towards more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient heating options. This is part of the UK’s plans to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, which has been described as “the most ambitious policy agenda on climate change and sustainability the world has ever seen.”
The move away from gas boilers is just one element of a wider strategy that aims to make homes more energy efficient overall. Heat pumps are cheaper to run than their traditional counterparts because they use electricity rather than gas or oil; this means people can save money while also reducing their carbon footprint.
Are gas boilers being banned in 2025?
The 2025 ban only applies to new-build homes, it won’t affect any existing dwellings at all. So if you are interested in installing an efficient heating system, there’s no need to rush into anything just yet, you’ll still be allowed to run on gas for many years to come! As the full ban won’t come into effect until 2035 at the earliest.
The benefits of heat pumps
After the initial cost of installation, heat pumps are an incredibly cost-effective and energy-efficient way to heat your home. They are more environmentally friendly than gas boilers because they don’t require the use of fossil fuel in order to generate heat. Instead, a heat pump works by transferring the natural heat given off by the sun (or any other warm object) into your home. Heat pumps also have the potential to cool too – and with the lack of air conditioning in most UK households, this can be a massive benefit.
Cost is currently prohibitive
The cost of installing a heat pump is prohibitive. The average cost of installing a heat pump is around £10,000 – £25,000, which means that most people won’t be able to afford it.
The government, however, is confident that heat pump costs can reach cost parity with gas boilers by 2030 and will eventually be cheaper than them. It estimates that to achieve its aim of eliminating all fossil fuel heating from buildings by 2050, the UK will need to spend approximately £200 billion on installing heat pumps in its homes.
Boiler upgrade scheme
If you’re a homeowner and want to install a heat pump, there is some financial assistance available. The government has introduced the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which aims to support households in replacing their existing gas boilers with low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps. The scheme offers homeowners up to £5,000 off their new system as part of more than £3.9 billion of funding. However, even with the funding, it can still be more expensive than a gas boiler.
Is it okay to get a new gas boiler?
The ban on the sale of new gas boilers was initially set to take effect in 2035, but it is probable that this may be delayed unless technologies improve significantly and upgrade costs become more affordable.
As technology improves and prices fall, heat pumps could become a viable replacement for conventional heating systems in homes across the country, but for now, they continue to be out of reach financially for most.
For now, gas boilers continue to be the most affordable option and you need not be concerned about your boiler becoming obsolete anytime soon. If you need to replace your current boiler, a new gas boiler is still a great option, and they are continually becoming more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
If you would like to find out about the new boiler deals available to you, give our knowledgeable team a call on 0808 134 9497 (landline) or 01992 238 252 (mobile).
Yesterday 
