Gas boilers will be banned in most new homes by 2027 as part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions. The UK government is introducing the Future Homes Standard, which will require developers to only install electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives in new-build homes. This initiative aims to decrease carbon emissions from new homes by 75% compared to current standards.
Although the ban is not expected to be enforced until 2026, with a one-year delay to allow housebuilders to prepare for the transition, the government is determined to have all new properties built without gas boilers by the end of the decade. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule.
James Dyson, a senior researcher at the E3G climate policy think-tank, criticized the delay in implementing the new standards, stating that it has led to around 700,000 homes being built with heating systems that will need to be replaced at a cost of over £12,000 per home. He urged for the plans to be put into action as soon as possible to avoid further financial burden on families and social housing associations.
While there are concerns about the supply of heat pumps being able to meet the demand, with only about 35,000 installed per year currently, the Home Builders Federation lobby group executive director, Steve Turner, emphasized the need for a significant scale-up in the supply chain to accommodate up to 300,000 installations per year.
Additionally, the impact on the National Grid was highlighted as another potential issue, as the increased demand for electricity to replace gas supplies would require the grid to have enough capacity and resilience to handle the load.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government assured that they are committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will eventually reach net zero emissions as the grid becomes more environmentally friendly. They are currently reviewing responses to the Future Homes Standard consultation and plan to provide a detailed response in the near future.
Overall, while the ban on gas boilers in new homes is a positive step towards reducing carbon emissions, there are challenges that need to be addressed to ensure a smooth transition and avoid negative impacts on households and infrastructure.
