The UK government’s plan to ban new gas boilers from 2035 is being scrapped, despite efforts to encourage homeowners to switch to heat pumps. While heat pumps are a more environmentally friendly option, they are currently used by only 1% of households and are more expensive than gas boilers. The government had planned to offer a £7,500 subsidy to homeowners to switch to heat pumps. However, the National Audit Office found that there were significant challenges in achieving this goal, with only 18,900 heat pumps installed between May and December 2023, far short of the expected 50,000. The government will instead focus on providing more information and support to help households make the switch. The goal is to transition to low-carbon heating methods, but it appears that a different approach will be needed to achieve this aim.
Recently announced plans to ban new gas boilers from being installed after 2035 are facing a drastic overhaul, as the Government considers scrapping the initiative and opting instead to focus on the adoption of heat pumps.
