There’s been a lot of talk about a gas boiler ban in recent months, as the government ramps up its net zero plans for 2050. And the implications of the drive to phase out natural gas boiler installations could be felt by hundreds of thousands of homeowners across the UK.

You may have also noticed a recent swathe of articles on heat pumps – the Government’s seemingly preferred low-carbon heating system to replace natural gas boilers. The energy-saving credentials of heat pumps are revered within the industry. However heat pumps will not be suitable for every home, for a variety of reasons.

This is a significant period for the UK’s green ambitions, and homeowners will be expected to play their part when it comes to their heating systems. Here’s what you need to know about if and when you need to replace your gas boiler. Plus, what replacements are available that will best suit your home and save energy.

Is there a gas boiler ban in 2025?

Two dates have been associated with a gas boiler ban: 2025 and 2035. There’s an important difference between the two.

The potential 2025 gas boiler ban for new-build homes

2025 marks the beginning of the Future Homes Standard. This Government plan will ensure new homes in England are future-proofed with low-carbon heating systems and high levels of energy efficiency.

As part of the Standard, it has been expected that no new homes will be able to connect the gas network. This would mean that no new-build homes could be built with a natural gas boiler. Instead they will need to be fitted with an energy-efficient heating system, such as a heat pump.

But the government’s language changed when it published its landmark Heat and Buildings Strategy in October. The Strategy revealed that the government planned to consult on whether it is “appropriate” to prevent new-build homes from being connected to the gas grid in England from 2025.

This means a prospective gas boiler for new homes is yet to be officially confirmed.

The 2035 gas boiler phase out for existing homes

This date had been commonly referenced as the cut-off for installing natural gas boilers in existing homes. The Heat and Buildings Strategy was expected to officially confirm a gas boiler ban from 2035.

But the Strategy threw up somewhat of a surprise. Rather than a blanket ban on gas boilers, it instead outlined a slightly softer approach to transitioning to low-carbon heating sources.

As a result, there will not be an explicit, outright ban on gas boilers. No one will be forced to remove them from their homes. Instead, the government confirmed that its ambition is for all new boiler installations to use low-carbon technology by 2035, and for natural gas boiler installations to be phased out.

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Why is there a crackdown on natural gas boilers?

Natural gas boilers are seen as one of the biggest barriers to achieving net-zero emissions in 2050. They produce 58.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, the National Housing Federation says. In comparison, the 27 million cars in the UK emit 56 million tonnes annually. This makes homes a bigger threat to the climate than cars.

Slashing these greenhouse gas emissions and any remaining emissions offset would dramatically slow the impact of climate change. But only one million homes in the UK currently use low-carbon heating systems, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC). The other 29 million homes use gas boilers.

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

What financial help is available to buy a replacement for my boiler?

There are several schemes available now, or launching soon, to help you afford the upfront costs of gas boiler alternatives, including:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Launching in April next year, homeowners can apply for grants of £5,000 or £6,000 to have heat pumps installed.
• The Renewable Heat Incentive: Closing in April next year, the RHI pays back the difference in capital cost to install a renewable heating system (against a conventional heating technology) with quarterly payments over a seven-year period.
• Home Energy Scotland: Scottish homeowners can get an interest-free loan from the Scottish government to pay the upfront costs of air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps.
• Wales: Nest: Low-income households in Wales and people with certain health conditions can apply to get help with heat pump installation costs.

Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future PLC

What are the alternatives to a gas boiler?

1. Heat pumps

Heat pumps come in a number of types. We’ll focus on three – air source heat pumps (ASHPs), ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) and hybrid heat pumps – which all work slightly differently.

ASHPs work by capturing a small amount of electricity from the air to absorb the natural heat from a cold place and replace it in a warmer one. GSHPs differ in that they harness natural heat from the ground for your home’s heating system. And hybrid heat pumps are an in-between. Essentially, they comprise a heat pump and another heat source (such as a boiler), combined into one system.

The government are big advocates of these systems because of their impressive energy credentials. Heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than traditional boilers, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

If you were to install a standard air source heat pump in an average-sized, four-bedroom detached house then it would be between £395 and £425 cheaper to run than a ‘G-rated’ gas boiler, the Energy Saving Trust says.

The differences between the systems mean that they aren’t all suitable for every home, however. To install an air source heat pump, you’ll need to have exterior space for the pump itself as well as interior space for the hot water cylinder.

Ground source heat pumps are only suitable for homes with outdoor space to accommodate tubes buried below ground. They also require interior space for a hot water cylinder.

How much do heat pumps cost? Heat pumps are presently an expensive technology. Despite their long-term cost benefits, the price of installing an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump ranges between £6,000-£18,000.

2. Hydrogen boilers

The government are staunch advocates of hydrogen boiler technology, which could one day be used to heat our homes. The main by-product of burning hydrogen gas is water, so it represents a way of greening up the gas grid.

As heat pumps won’t be suitable for all homes, hydrogen boilers could be a viable low-carbon heating system in the future. Several government-funded trials are ongoing across the UK to test the safety and efficacy of 100% hydrogen boilers. They’re being conducted by the likes of Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch.

Manufacturers including Viessmann have also developed hydrogen-ready boilers, intended to be a like-for-like swap for an existing gas boiler. These can run on a hydrogen mix of up to 20% and 80% natural gas.

Crucially though, they are not yet available, and won’t be until 2026 at the very earliest. The Government confirmed in its Heat and Buildings Strategy that it will be delaying a decision on how to integrate hydrogen heating into our homes.

3. Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers are another renewable and sustainable heat solution. They burn natural materials such as wood pellets, logs or chips, providing heating and powering hot water boilers.

The boilers themselves tend to be roughly the size of a four-drawer filing cabinet. While wood pellet boilers will fit in most utility rooms, log boilers are generally bigger and may require storing in a dedicated room. You’ll also need room for fuel storage.

How much do biomass boilers cost? They can be pricey initially. A fully automated wood pellet boiler can cost between £11,000 and £25,000, depending on the level of automation and sophistication. Generally biomass boilers are well-suited for big, hard-to-heat properties.

Image credit: Colin Poole

4. Infrared heating panels

Standard infrared heating panels cost between £120 and £180 each. They offer a budget-friendly heating method either as a whole house solution or as complementary heaters that work alongside your central heating.

5. Solar thermal panels

Solar panels can only generate hot water. But they can help to lower your heating costs when used alongside a boiler or heat pump.

How much do solar panels cost? Installing a two- or three-panel solar thermal system that would supply an average 200-to-300-litre cylinder will set you back around £4,000 to £7,000.

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An upcycling lover has given her plain IKEA Hemnes chest a stunning, vintage-inspired makeover. What was once a practical, looks-like-everyone-else’s chest of drawers now has a lovely midcentury feel.

There was certainly nothing wrong with it before – the no-frills design would look great in a Japandi or minimalist scheme. But this IKEA hack goes to show what you can do with a classic flatpack piece, some paint, and striking gold hardware.

IKEA Hemnes upcycle

Before

Image credit: @studio_twentyseven

Furniture artist Kata had always loved her IKEA Hemnes tall chest of drawers. She tells us it’s the perfect shape and has amazingly spacious drawers.

But although it was a great, functional bedroom storage idea, the plain white finish and black hardware weren’t to her taste. She decided to give it a vintage look with dark grey paint and a walnut finish.

‘The unit was a freebie from Freecycle,’ Kata tells us. This meant she had a little more to spend on accessories, like the showstopping high-end handles.

After

Image credit: @studio_twentyseven

These were ordered from Hong Kong and cost £160. However, the other materials were all very budget-friendly. The primer, paint, stain, and varnish came to about £30.

So, how did Kata achieve this rustic, retro feel? First, she cleaned and degreased the whole unit, then sanded it. ‘I scuff-sanded the frame because I was going to paint it,’ she says. ‘I fully sanded the drawers and the top (mine were real wood, not laminate) to bare wood.’

Then, she applied a primer specifically made for plastic and slick surfaces. She used Fusion Mineral Paint’s Ultra Grip, at Amazon.

Image credit: @studio_twentyseven

Once it was totally dry, Kata painted two coats of Fusion Mineral Paint in Ash. She gently sanded between coats for an even finish and perfect adhesion.

‘I added the amazing long handles and voilà, I had a brand new ‘vintage’ chest of drawers,’ says Kata. ‘It was such an easy and quick project and I could finally say goodbye to my boring white unit.’

Feeling inspired to do some DIY and decorating? Kata teaches upcycling – check out The Painters Hive membership on her website for £12 a month.

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When there’s no space to dry wet washing inside or you have multiple loads of laundry each week, a tumble dryer is a fast and convenient solution. But how much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?

Depending on which type you have, tumble dryers can be expensive to use. And if you’re running yours regularly, the costs can mount up.

If you install a smart meter, you’ll be able to monitor the costs of running a tumble dryer easily. However, if not, we’ve worked out how much you can expect to spend each cycle – as well as clever ways to cut your energy bills.

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the national average price (as of November 2021) per pence/kWh of electricity is 20.33p. We have rounded it to 20p for illustration purposes.

There are three types of tumble dryer – vented, condenser and heat pump. Vented machines are often perceived as using more energy, although newer models include drying sensors that make them more efficient. The real difference comes from the more energy efficient heat-pump tumble dryers. Here are the costs of running all three for comparison:

• An example 9kg vented tumble dryer uses 5.34 kWh for a full load cycle and approx 636 kWh over a year. This means that this vented tumble dryer costs £1.07 per cycle to run and £127.20 per year on average.
• An example 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses 5.2 kWh for a full load and approx 617 kWh annually. This means a cost of £1.04 per cycle, equating to £123.40 a year – that’s almost as much as a vented model.
• An example 9kg heat pump tumble dryer uses 2.16 kWh for a full load and 259 kWh per year. This means that you’ll be spending just 43p per cycle and only £51.80 a year to run it.

Image credit: Tim Young

Are some tumble dryers cheaper to run than others?

Vented tumble dryers can be costly to run over an average year. They also may not be suitable for all homes as they’ll need to placed near a wall or window so the moist air can be expelled.

Condenser dryers lift the moisture from the clothes and collect it in a container that sits inside the machine. Some will pump the water out through plumbing or you may need to empty the container. On average, they’re slightly more affordable to run than vented machines.

Heat pump tumble dryers work like a condenser dryer, collecting the moisture in a container, but they work more efficiently by re-heating the air that is passed through the drum (using a heat exchange system, not more electricity) and recirculating it. This means they use less energy and are cheaper to run.

‘Don’t be afraid to ask a retailer to explain the technology within tumble dryers to decide which type is most suited to your household,’ says Kimberley Garner, Hotpoint brand manager. ‘You will find that vented models are usually the least expensive to buy while heat pump models tend to be the most expensive. However your retailer will be able to explain how you will save money on your energy bills in the long run.’

What energy saving features should I look for when buying a tumble dryer?

If you’re looking for ways to save energy at home, these tumble dryer tricks and features could be a good place to start

1. Sensor drying

Many tumble dryers – even vented models – now feature sensor drying, which works out how long your clothes need to dry and stops when they’re ready. Not only does this help to cut bills, it’ll prevent damage to fibres so clothes look good for longer, and keep the tumble dryer working well.

2. Drying levels

‘Take the guesswork out of choosing drying times by selecting a dryness level,’ explains Kimberley Garner. ‘When sensors identify that the clothes have dried to the level required, the dryer automatically finishes.’ This is ideal if you only need bed sheets to be ‘iron dry’.

3. Lower temperatures

Many heat pump machines use lower temperatures to both protect your clothes and use less energy. Some also have drum movements to prevent clumping so warm air can circulate efficiently.

4. Autocleaning

‘This feature uses water collected during the drying phase to clean fluff from the condenser at the end of each cycle,’ says Kimberley Garner. ‘This ensures long-lasting performance and reliability, and also saves money and time.’

Image credit: Ti-Media

How can I cut the cost of running a tumble dryer?

1. Run it overnight

If you’re on a cheaper off-peak tariff, take advantage of your tumble dryer’s delay start feature and run it during the night.

2. Choose a higher spin speed on your washing machine

Wetter clothes take much longer to dry, meaning more work for your tumble dryer. Use a higher spin on your washing machine so there’s less water in your laundry before drying starts.

3. Loosen your load

If a load of laundry has clumped together in the washing machine, it’s a good idea to loosen it before you put it in the tumble dryer. This means that warm air can circulate more easily between the layers of fabric, shortening drying times. Similarly, don’t overload the tumble dryer, and dry similar fabrics together.

4. Keep your drying sensor clean so it works accurately

You’ll find it in the drum, usually below the door opening, made from two strips of metal. Wipe it down regularly with white vinegar and a cloth. Our guide to how to clean a tumble dryer explains more.

5. Run a full load

Our example 9kg vented machine mentioned above uses 2.9 kWh for a half load, compared to 5.34 kWh for a full one.

6. Remove lint from the filter after every load

Lint restricts the airflow, making drying less efficient, so every cycle will cost more to run. If your machine is vented, make sure the wall vent is fluff-free too, and that there’s no kink in the hose.

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