Well-maintained boilers regularly inspected by certified engineers with gas-safe certificates will last a very long time before they need to be replaced, either due to expensive repairs or the inefficiencies costing more money in the long run than a replacement would.
However, over the last few years, some people have held back on replacing their boilers partly because of the development of new technologies such as hydrogen boilers but also because of concerns that there might be changes to building regulations that mean they would need to replace it again.
If you are a homeowner or building manager who has been concerned about buying a replacement boiler because you feel that within the 12-15 years of its standard operating life, it would be legislated out of existence, you are not alone, but you also do not need to worry about this.
If you need a replacement boiler and would make much greater savings with a more efficient replacement boiler rather than waiting for hydrogen boilers to roll out or for heat pump retrofits to lower in price, the best option is to get in touch with experts and look into getting an efficient replacement.
Here are some of the reasons why.
Nothing Will Change For Your Boiler
The original proposal for the gas boiler “ban” was a complete phase-out of new gas boilers by the year 2035, which at the time the proposal was made was around 15 years later, with the first steps of this intended to take place in 2025.
This latter date, naturally, is the one that has spooked a lot of people whose boilers are nearing the end of viability, but this date would have only affected new-build properties, who would already be building their homes with energy efficiency in mind.
These initial timescales were dependent on hydrogen boilers being widely available by then, which is currently not the case.
Buying a new, efficient gas boiler in the next year will mean more efficient heating, lower bills and greater efficiency for the lifespan of the boiler and give you peace of mind for the future.
The Boiler Ban Is Unlikely To Remain
The heating industry is not immune to the rather chaotic legislative landscape, and exactly what will happen in the future when it comes to boiler regulations is likely to depend on what happens on 4th July 2024.
Whilst alternative heating systems are set to be rolled out in higher numbers, the gas ban itself may be revoked entirely, instead focusing on incentivising upgrades through grants and changes to council tax and stamp duty.
It would not have affected people replacing their boilers now, but there might have been a situation in a few years where boilers were being sold with the knowledge that they would not be usable for their entire operational lifespan.
No Ideal Replacement
The 2035 boiler ban was predicated on the notion that there would be at least one ideal green solution, but whilst there are two prospective alternatives, neither is universally suited.
Heat pumps are very effective and can be a fantastic heating system when installed in new-build homes, but the sheer scale of retrofit work might not make them viable for older properties.
The expectation was that hydrogen boilers would fit the gap, but difficulties with the technology in both generating hydrogen gas and implementing it into boilers have led to delays on that front.
An efficient gas boiler remains the best option for many people.
