New proposals to mandate hydrogen ready boilers have been welcomed by the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).
Hydrogen-ready boilers would be sold at the same price as natural gas boilers too, it stressed, as a result of the UK boiler manufacturers ‘price promise’ made in 2021.
EUA CEO Mike Foster said: “Mandating hydrogen-ready boilers is an important step towards decarbonising homes. The government are absolutely right to support this no-regrets option.
“There are currently around 23 million homes using gas boilers in the UK, simply allowing the natural replacement cycle to take place means that by 2040 every home would be ready to see natural gas replaced with hydrogen. At scale, this system-led decarbonisation of homes delivers exactly what the government needs – hitting net zero at the lowest cost and least disruption to the consumer.”
It follows a BEIS consultation announcement this week proposing to improve boiler and heating system efficiency through improvements to minimum standards.
This would mandate that from 2026 all newly-installed gas boilers are hydrogen-ready, it said.
Proposals also look at the potential role of gas boiler-electric heat pump hybrids in heat decarbonisation, all with the aim to reduce domestic gas consumption.
As part of a consultation, views from consumers, installers, manufacturers and wider industry will be collected up until 21 March next year.
Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch, said: “We’re delighted to see the long-awaited publication of the ‘Improving boiler standards and efficiency’ consultation from BEIS. This has been promised for several months so it is very welcomed.
“We’re specifically encouraged that BEIS have taken a system-first approach, not just appliance. They cover controls, correct maintenance and tackling boiler oversizing, instead of simply what appliance should generate heat.
“It is also great to see that a technology agnostic position seems to be taking place. The ambitious target of 600,000 heat pumps installations per year by 2028 is referenced, but also there is acknowledgment that hybrid systems will contribute to this is a step in the right direction.
“Finally, the proposed mandate that from 2026 onwards, all new domestic gas boilers need to be hydrogen-ready, is the first written commitment that we can recall from government which again is very encouraging to see and will boost confidence in the possible future fuel among industry.
“Rest assured we will be responding to the consultation and supporting where we can. We urge installers, manufacturers and consumers to do the same. This consultation is a sign we are moving in the right direction to increase efficiency and reduce emissions in the way we heat our homes, and together we can help further this progress.”