Government Clarifies Timescale For Gas Boiler Ban
Government Clarifies Timescale For Gas Boiler Ban
Gas boilers are set to be banned in new buildings by 2025, as part of the Government’s plans for a carbon-neutral construction industry, although early publications and reports suggested a timescale that was two years shorter.
The plans, part of the Future Homes Standard, were recently published as part of a ten-point green industrial revolution plan to accelerate the country’s path to net-zero carbon emissions.
The overall aim of the plans is for boiler fitters and homeowners to gradually move away from fossil fuel boilers over a 15-year timescale, with new builds featuring sustainable heat sources such as electric boilers or heat pumps.
When the plan was initially published it led to confusion, as the specific point about gas boilers no longer being allowed in new builds was set to be brought forwards to 2023 rather than 2025, however, this had not been consulted with the industry.
At present, the current text reads that it will be implemented in what it calls the “shortest possible timeline”.
According to a representative from the Home Builders Federation, the industry had voiced concerns about any attempt to bring forward the timeline for new housebuilding standards, citing the strain on supply chains and developers.
The government in their plans also set a target of 600,000 heat pump installations each year by 2028, which along with an extension of the Green Homes Grant aims to increase the take up of means to lower energy bills and replace fossil fuels for heating.