For multiple years, there has been news brewing that countries such as the UK will phase out gas boilers. This has resulted in many new homes coming without a dedicated gas main for their boilers and switching to electric or renewable alternatives. So, what should you expect if a phase-out is completed, what alternatives are there, and what benefits would these bring (if any) compared to gas boilers?

First, let’s cover the why.

Why the Phase-Out?

As a homeowner, you may be inclined to resist the idea of a phase-out on principle, but there are some valid reasons for it. For one, gas is only going to get more expensive eventually as supply lines get more complex.

Another reason is that it can be quite dangerous for the family compared to electric alternatives. Gas mains are a fire hazard, and older boilers tend to leak carbon monoxide when they break down. While this invisible emission only kills 40 people per year, you can also factor in fire hazards as another issue.

Similarly, although gas boilers have improved significantly in recent years, they are still in the lower end of the efficiency range for heating and hot water appliances. Even the best combi boiler will be 3 to 4 times less efficient than the latest heating systems.

The main issue is one of convincing homeowners who are set in their ways to adopt new technologies before gas becomes exorbitant. People have a tendency to stick to what’s familiar to them but adoption hesitance might cost them more money (although, we’ll cover whether this is a valid argument later).

Alternatives to Gas Boilers

Let’s look at some of the most viable options and which homes they would be most suitable for:

Electric Boilers

One of the most common alternatives to gas boilers is the electric boiler. Electric boilers can be handy for homes that have no gas mains connection. They are compact and often self-contained, which makes them easy to install. However, they also have some downsides.

Electric boilers are often touted as being 99% to 100% efficient, but there’s more to this story than meets the eye. While it is true that they consume their default fuel far more effectively, this can still come out as more expensive for your heating costs. In countries where electricity is more expensive than gas, electric boilers might drain up more money than a gas boiler will per kilowatt hour of heating.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are a great option in terms of efficiency and energy usage. For those who may not be familiar with it, these appliances extract heat from the outside air by passing it through a refrigerant and bringing it indoors. Aside from heating, they can reverse this process to produce cooling, which makes it a versatile system that can work all year round.

There are various types of heat pumps, but the most basic kind is the air source heat pump. This can also be connected to a hot water tank, making it an air-to-water source heat pump. This can be compatible with underfloor heating and other hot water applications. This set of technologies can be 3 to 5 times more efficient than even the best boilers on the market.

Despite the costs (often 3 times higher than boilers for a basic one, there are workarounds. Heat pumps are eligible for various government grants that can entitle many homeowners to cheaper ones. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme can net homeowners a £7,500 grant that can pay for the entire installation of an air source model.

While all this might sound good, there are things to keep in mind. Heat pumps are most effective in well-insulated homes, otherwise they won’t provide optimal savings. Considering the cost without a grant, this can be a lot to ask for many homes. Similarly, heat pumps rely on electricity, so just because you are saving 3 to 5 times more per kWh of electricity does not mean it will be 3 to 5 times as cheap as using gas if you live in an area where energy is far more expensive. You may still save some money but the amount can vary.

Biomass Boilers

Biomass boilers are not often mentioned due to the exorbitant costs they bring with them but if one can afford them or get a sufficient grant, they have quite a few benefits. These boilers run on biomass such as wood pellets, but the exact fuel used can vary. They are the most eco-friendly heating option.

Biomass can be a stable fuel in terms of prices compared to gas and electricity. While biomass had an uptick in prices after the Ukraine conflict, prices generally don’t alter too much. They can be a great option for farms, where many residents often produce their own biomass products or can obtain them even cheaper.

While the cost is prohibitive for many, these boilers can be a great way to go off-grid. 

We hope this guide has been a handy read to help you determine what options you have for your home.