Ministers plan to scrap a rule that would stop people replacing their existing boilers after 2035
The Government is set to ditch plans to ban new gas boilers from 2035 despite pushing for the vast majority of homes to get heat pumps in future.
A de facto ban on gas boilers being installed in new homes will be confirmed later this year, taking effect before the end of the decade.
But the previously planned rule that would stop people replacing their existing boilers with new ones from 2035 will be scrapped, The i Paper understands.
Ministers have confirmed that they expect most homes in the UK to adopt heat pumps at some point as part of plans to remove fossil fuels from the country’s heating systems.
Heat pumps, which are powered by electricity, are currently used by only 1 per cent of households and cost thousands of pounds more than gas boilers.
But the Government has promised to ramp up efforts to get homeowners to switch when their existing boilers need replacing, including by extending a £7,500 subsidy available to homeowners to buy a heat pump.
The Conservatives had promised a total ban on all new gas boilers from 2035. Rishi Sunak said when he was Prime Minister: “We’ll never force anyone to rip out their existing boiler and replace it with a heat pump. You’ll only ever have to make the switch when you’re replacing your boiler anyway, and even then, not until 2035.”
But speaking before the general election, Labour’s Energy Secretary Ed Miliband suggested he would scrap that rule, saying: “We haven’t stuck with the Government’s 2035 target when you can’t replace your gas boiler. I know that we’ve got to show that heat pumps are affordable and are going to work for people.”
The Government is now set to formally ditch the rule. Later this year, ministers will set out a “warm homes plan” with new details of how the switch to low-carbon heating methods will work.
It includes a “future homes standard”, which places stringent rules on developers building new homes. While gas boilers are not expected to be banned outright in newly built properties, they will not meet the minimum standards for green energy efficiency that will be imposed.
Instead, all new homes will have to be heated with heat pumps or other forms of renewable-powered heating. But the rules will make it clear that no existing boilers need to be removed, as well as scrapping the 2035 mandate for an end to the sale of new boilers.
The Government declined to comment ahead of the publication of the warm homes plan and future homes standard.
Ministers argue that heat pumps can save families money, although some experts worry that they are still unaffordable for most with the average installation cost cited by British Gas of £5,690 even after the subsidy is applied.
The technology is also unsuitable for many older homes unless they undergo costly renovations, such as having insulation and underfloor heating installed.
A new boiler currently costs about £3,000.
Labour has accused the Conservatives of a “dismal failure” to reduce the UK’s reliance on natural gas from overseas, with heating costs soaring in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine thanks to a spike in gas prices on international markets.
The Government has pledged to cut UK carbon emissions by 81 per cent by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, before hitting net zero emissions in 2050.
But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “reach net zero in a way that treads lightly on people’s lives – not telling them how to live or behave”.
Discussing the 2035 target in November, Starmer said it would be “difficult” but “achievable”, adding: “It’s not about telling people how to live their lives – I’m not interested in that.
“I am interested in making sure their energy bills are stable, that we’ve got energy independence, and that we also, along the way, pick up the next generation of jobs.”
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho claimed at the time that the new target would lead to “hardship” for the British people. She warned that making “already stringent carbon emission targets even higher” would require a “shift away from meat and dairy” and “less travel”.
Heat pumps: what you need to know
By Grace Gausden
What are heat pumps?
Heat pumps are a low-carbon alternative to way to heat your home. They work by absorbing heat from the environment and transferring it to a fluid, which is compressed to increase its temperature.
There are two main types of heat pump: an air-source heat pump and a ground-source heat pump.
An air-source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air, while a ground-source heat pump extracts heat from the ground using buried collectors, known as ground arrays. Unlike boilers, heat pumps don’t burn fuel to create heat, they transfer thermal energy from one place to another.
How much do they cost to install?
Air source heat pumps tend to cost between £14,000 and £19,000 to install. Ground source heat pumps cost between £28,000 and £34,000 to install, depending on how you install the pipes.
The exact price will depending on the brand, model and size of the heat pump, as well as the size of your property. Government grants are available to homeowners to help with the cost.
The average gas boiler cost for supply and installation is £3,000.
British Gas cites the average cost as £5,960 after the £7,500 Government grant is applied.
How long do they take to install?
Air-source heat pumps may take a couple of days to install at home, while ground-source heat pumps take longer.
When installing, the drilling could take two days, while other parts of the installation could take four days. The pricier ground-source heat pumps are considered to be more efficient than air-source alternatives.
What grants can you get to help with the cost?
For England and Wales, you can get a grant for up to £7,500 to replace a fossil fuel boiler with a heat pump under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
For Scotland, you can get a grant of up to £7,500 (£9,000 in rural properties) for energy efficient home improvements. You can also get a loan of up to £7,500 to install renewable heat in your home. There are no dedicated schemes in Northern Ireland. To find out if you’re eligible, use the Government website. If you are, contact a certified installer to get quotes and they will apply for the grant through the energy regulator, Ofgem.
Some homes will also have the benefit of having an additional grant that helps with the cost of insulation.
This is important as some homeowners have to pay for improved insulation and replacement radiators to make sure the system works efficiently.
What energy firms help with them?
Many energy firms will help you install them, including Octopus Energy, Eon and British Gas. It is worth contacting your supplier directly to see if they accept the grants and can help with an installation.
Will they get cheaper in future?
Although it is hoped heat pumps will get cheaper in the future, especially for households taking advantage of grants, it is difficult to say by how much and by when exactly.
According to industry predictions from bodies such as UK Energy Research Centre, heat pump prices could reduce by 25 per cent over the next few years, which would be equivalent to thousands of pounds.
What are potential issues with them?
Not every home is suitable for a heat pump. All pumps need outside space so this could be an issue if you do not have any. The external space needed for an air space heat pump is no larger than a washing machine but for a ground source heat pump, you need more with access for a drilling machine to create a borehole or two. They also work best in well-insulated homes as they supply heat at a lower temperature.
If your home is not efficient, you can still install one, but you may need to add extra insulation and improve your radiators to increase the flow which could be costly.