Simpson
Constructing a new house in the U.K will get a little more challenging since additional construction codes have been added in relation to using gas boilers. To save electricity, homeowners have been using boilers with natural gasses as a heating source for decades. In this regard, the use of natural gasses seems viable for most countries since other countries neighboring the U.K and even in other parts of the world have adopted this heat source. Unfortunately, the United Kingdom government is gradually bringing this to an end within its borders. Why is this so?
What are some of the natural gasses used for boilers?
Heating boilers require a combustible fuel source sufficient enough to heat and retain the warmth inside the tanks quickly. One of the most used fuel sources is coal. However, it is not economical, and most importantly, it’s not environmentally friendly.
A newer solution was brainstormed, natural gasses such as propane and liquid petroleum gas. These solutions are the ones currently in use on small-scale to industrial boilers. There are other gasses boilers use, but LPG and propane are still leading due to affordability and accessibility. Setting up and maintaining boilers that use propane and LPG is relatively simple with minimal and can be done as a DIY project.
Natural gasses have carbon emissions
Why are gas boilers banned in the U.K if propane is so effective? The main reason for banning these heating systems is the collective amount of carbon emissions produced in the U.K. In one year, gas boilers produced an estimated amount of carbon dioxide exceeding 58.5 million tons. That exceeds the amount of carbon emission produced by 27 million cars.
After discovering these statistics, the Climate Change Committee deemed it fit to transition towards other efficient heating systems. The Climate Change Committee conducted surveys and uncovered that only 1 million out of 29 million homes use sustainable heating systems. All other 28 million homes are still using natural gasses with high carbon emissions.
Gas boiler replacements
Heating systems have seen a lot of innovation and progressed from the times when gas boilers were the best option. Since then, other options with lower carbon emissions have been developed and scaled for buildings of various sizes. With gas boilers banned for installation, building contractors are looking at various other sustainable options. Some of the top gas boiler replacements include solar energy and electrical radiators.
These two can be used as a hybrid system. For the best option, consider Best Electric Radiators, Haverland, Ecostrad, or Dimplex for the best energy-efficient water heating solutions. Building contractors are looking into other options, including air source and infrared heating pumps. Electric radiators are very convenient and have minimal installation complexities.
Programs established to phase out gas boilers
This prospective ban on gas boilers aims to prevent new home builds from using this water heat source. Future Homes Standard was established to update building regulations to use sustainable heating solutions in new construction projects. Starting from 2025, no new homes will be allowed to connect to the existing natural gas main lines. This gives future homeowners a grace period to readjust their plans and replace gas boilers with other sustainable alternatives that are available.
A panel was assigned to develop the Heat & Buildings Strategy detailing the most sustainable heating options. The Heat & Buildings Strategy must be aligned with the Future Homes Standard, but these programs have the same interest in reducing carbon emissions. Buildings currently under construction can still connect to the gas lines, but this might prove to be a futile exercise since boilers burning fossil fuels are being phased out.
What does this mean for existing homes?
What does this gas boiler ban mean for existing homes? For now, it is unclear whether or not the ban will be enforced on existing homes. However, as a building code that is being established after these houses were constructed, there might be some leniency – especially considering that not all homeowners can afford to transition to alternative heating systems with immediate effect.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, set to launch mid to late April 2022, incentivizes transitioning to sustainable heating solutions. Installing a heat pump will cost around the same as a gas boiler. Existing homeowners could consider taking up this offer and switching to different pump technologies. In the long run, electric radiators that use the power grid or solar power seem to be the most efficient and economical for new projects and existing buildings.
