UK Plans to Ban Gas Boilers by 2027

The UK government plans to ban gas boilers in most new homes by 2027 under the Future Homes Standard, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. Developers will be required to install electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives, with details of the ban expected by May 2024, though enforcement won't start until 2026. Critics have labeled this green agenda as 'nasty' and 'authoritarian', expressing concerns about potential increases in fuel poverty and the feasibility of scaling up heat pump installations from 35,000 to 300,000 units annually. Industry experts, including Steve Turner from the Home Builders Federation, warn of supply chain challenges and additional strain on the National Grid due to increased electricity demand. The initiative follows a previous consultation by the Conservative government and aims to make all new properties boiler-free by 2030, while exemptions may be considered. The government is also promoting solar panel use, although it won't mandate their installation.