Hydrogen Boilers – are they the future?
A hydrogen boiler is very similar to a gas boiler, but the main difference is that they are more environmentally friendly. Introducing hydrogen boilers is part of a plan to decarbonise our homes and meet environmental targets. Currently UK homes account for about 30% of carbon emissions – so transitioning to hydrogen will hugely help to cut these emissions.
It is for that reason that the UK government is slowly trying to transition every household to hydrogen boilers. While the target for new homes for this is 2026, the full roll out will probably not happen until the 2040s.
Will gas boilers be banned?
As mentioned above there are no plans to ban gas boilers – just to make a slow transition from gas to hydrogen over the next two decades. From 2026, any new builds should have hydrogen instead of gas boilers. A heat pump will also be an acceptable alternative for heating your property.
If you were to buy and install a gas boiler today you would likely get to use it for its full life span of 10-15 years.
How will the transition happen?
The first step in the plan is to introduce a 20% hydrogen blend into the main gas supply. Many boilers have already been labelled as hydrogen blend ready in anticipation of this development, but as of yet there are no hydrogen ready boilers. Following government trials to assess feasibility and safety, a decision is expected to be made on timings by 2026. 2035 is the proposed date from which no more gas boilers will be installed in the UK.
Next year Fife in Scotland will become the first UK location where hydrogen appliances will be trialled in over 300 homes and fed with hydrogen gas directly from the grid.
Will hydrogen boilers cost more?
Not according to the UK’s big boiler manufacturers such as Veissman and Worcester Bosch which have promised that there will be no price difference. The boilers are also scoped to work in the same way as gas boilers so there aren’t increased associated costs with installation and maintenance.
How can we help?
MP Plumbing Services are experts in the installation, maintenance or repair of all types of boilers and have been operating with great success in the Bristol area for over a decade. Should you need advice on which type of boiler is right for your property – and future proofing your choices – then please contact us today.
