Will LPG Boilers Be Banned From 2026?
Everything you need to know about the “gas boiler ban”
Article first published May 2022
Updated February 2024
You may have read various articles in the news discussing a gas boiler ban, so we’re here to separate fact from fiction and answer some of the questions we’re commonly asked.
The UK government has committed to reducing emissions to Net Zero by 2050. One of the proposed solutions to help meet this is a fossil fuel boiler ban.
While the original plan was for it to come into force as early as 2026, the ban on installing oil and LPG boilers for off-grid gas homes has been delayed to 2035.
So what does this mean for LPG customers and those considering switching to an LPG boiler today?
Why is the government proposing a gas boiler ban?
According to the Committee on Climate Change, almost a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are produced by heating. Plus, 95% of UK homes are centrally heated, with gas or oil boilers making up the largest majority in homes.
How will a gas boiler ban help?
Similar to the governments’ moves towards phasing out diesel and petrol cars in favour of electric ones, they are also looking into alternative fuel for heating homes – such as hydrogen and renewable sources of electricity.
A lot of these proposals are still just that – proposals – and a lot of work is being done to understand how the various alternative fuels options suit different house types – including those homes off-grid, currently relying on LPG boilers or oil-fired heating.
So is there going to be a gas boiler ban?
Yes, a gas boiler ban will happen in the future, but it’s clear that this is not something the government can just put into place quickly.
The Prime Minister has recently reviewed the ban date, pushing it back from 2026 to 2035. In fact, the whole process will require a great deal of planning to ensure customers can transition smoothly to alternative fuels.
If you currently own a house and want to replace your existing boiler, you’re free to swap it with an LPG boiler.
Will I have to replace my existing LPG boiler before 2026?
No – LPG boilers are not going to be banned from 2026!
Though it’s possible that anyone building a new home might want to consider renewable heating alternatives to achieve government carbon reduction targets, this does not mean that boilers in existing homes or new builds will have to be replaced by this date.
However, in line with the boiler ban being postponed, the grant for heat pump installations has been increased from £5000 to £7500, making it one of the most generous schemes in Europe.
Can I still replace my old LPG boiler? (and do I need to replace it before 2026?)
Yes! You can replace your existing oil-fired or LPG boiler.
On average, a boiler will last anywhere from 15-20 years, so if yours is currently anywhere over 10 years old, it may be nearing the end of its lifespan. You could find that repairs become more frequent and parts more expensive, or, worse still, your boiler could simply break down when you need it most!
What’s more, when LPG’s renewable liquid gas substitutes (biopropane and rDME) are more widely available, this will simply drop into your existing system – so there’ll be no more upgrades required for the lifetime of your new LPG boiler.
Why should I replace my oil boiler now?
If you’re using oil-fired heating for your off-grid energy, an oil to gas conversion now can have sustainable and cost-saving benefits.
There are alternative fuels on the market, but in many cases the technologies are still in their infancy and are very costly. What’s more, many off-grid homes may find themselves unsuitable for solutions such as heat pumps without other efficiency or improvement works being carried out.
If your home is currently heated by kerosene heating oil, a new LPG system with a domestic LPG tank will likely be the most cost-effective solution for you.
LPG – energy for today and tomorrow
LPG and bioLPG can help support the path to Net Zero. You can read more about how, as well as other fuels such as hydrogen and rDME, in the Flogas 2040 Vision and Sustainability Report 2021.
Switch from an oil boiler to an LPG boiler
At Flogas, we can help anyone currently on oil switch to LPG with our complete package – we’ll replace your existing boiler, remove your oil tank, and get you Flo-ing on LPG in just weeks.