What are the alternatives to gas central heating boilers?

Originally published 23 July 2021. Some figures and rules have since changed - see our latest guides.

The original plan announced in 2019 was that no fossil-fuel heating systems would be installed in new build homes from 2025, as part of the government’s net zero by 2050 target. The detail and dates around new build and replacement heating have moved since, so treat the timeline below as the position at the time of writing.

The “Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution” published at the end of 2020 set a target to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, and to make homes greener, warmer and more energy efficient.

What does this mean for UK homeowners and home buyers?

The good news is there are efficient alternatives to gas central heating boilers, many of which save you money in the long term. These alternatives are becoming more common as suppliers begin installing them in place of gas boilers.

What are the alternatives to gas central heating boilers?

There are several main alternatives to gas central heating. Each comes with its own pros and cons and takes up different amounts of physical space.

1. Air source heat pumps

These systems are fitted outside your property and use environmental air to generate energy for heating and hot water. Air source heat pumps extract thermal energy from the air and convert it to heating and hot water for your home. They use less energy than other types of home heating, making them an economical and environmentally friendly method.

Pros

• Extremely efficient
• Green heating method
• Save on energy bills every year
• Compatible with solar panels

Cons

• Large and requires outside space
• Relatively high upfront cost

2. Solar thermal energy

Solar thermal technology captures sunlight and turns it into hot water. Domestic solar thermal systems use collector panels on the roof to absorb radiated energy from the sun. This energy heats fluid, which is pumped around and collected in a hot water cylinder.

Pros

• Eco-friendly system
• Green heating method
• Save on energy bills every year
• Can provide the majority of hot water

Cons

• Need a sun-facing roof
• A secondary measure that requires another method
• High upfront cost

3. Electric radiators and panels

Electric boilers are like gas central heating systems, heating water and radiators, but powered with mains electricity. Although efficient, electric central heating is not CO2 neutral unless your electricity supplier is, using wind power rather than fossil fuel for instance.

Pros

• Efficient system
• Can heat the whole home
• Compact on space

Cons

• Ongoing electricity costs
• Not carbon neutral unless the electricity supply is

How do I know which gas boiler alternative is right for my home?

It is not a straight answer and you might need a combination of more than one measure to heat the whole home. The type of house, the size and the location all need to be considered. The best way to find out is to get a heating engineer’s survey.

If you would like to talk to us about your home energy, our team can advise on the right approach for your property.