Gas boilers to be banned in new homes

Developers to ensure new-builds only fitted with electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives

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Gas boilers are to be banned in most new homes by 2027 as part of legislation being brought forward by the Government.
Under the so-called Future Homes Standard, which aims to slash carbon emissions across households, developers must ensure that new-builds are only fitted out with electric heat pumps or non-gas alternatives.
Rules regarding the gas boiler ban are expected to be announced as early as May next year, although they are unlikely to be enforced until the relevant legislation takes effect in 2026.
That would be followed by a 12-month delay to ensure housebuilders are prepared for the switchover, as first reported by the Financial Times.
The proposed ban comes after the previous Tory government launched a consultation on the Future Homes Standard policy last year.
Industry sources said they had expected the legislation to be announced by November 2024, although the timetable has now slipped six months following the election. 
The new legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions across all new homes by up to 80pc.
However, the decision to outlaw gas boilers has raised concerns over whether the heat pump supply chain can grow quickly enough to match Sir Keir Starmer’s bid to build 300,000 new homes a year.
Steve Turner, executive director of the Home Builders Federation lobby group, said: “We need to make sure the heat pump supply chain will be in place.
“At the minute, we’re only installing about 35,000 a year – to go from there to up to 300,000 a year, plus additional ones fitted to existing homes, the supply chain will need a significant scale-up.”
He also warned about the impact on the National Grid, which will be forced to ramp up its capacity to ensure there is enough electricity to replace gas supplies.
Mr Turner added: “If you’re not using gas for heating, that will load more on to the grid. We need to make sure there’s enough resilience within that.”
The looming ban forms part of the Housing Department’s bid to make all new homes boiler-free by the end of 2030.
As part of its green energy push, the Government is also encouraging the use of solar panels – but is not expected to make installation mandatory.
A spokesman said: “We remain committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will become net zero as the grid decarbonises.
“We are considering the responses to the Future Homes Standard consultation and will respond in due course.”
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