New and replacement gas boilers should be banned by 2033, two years earlier than planned, and the installation of heat pumps should be “turbocharged”, according to a new government report.
Tory MP Chris Skidmore was commissioned to conduct a review of the UK’s net zero plans in light of global challenges and concluded that government must go ‘further and faster’ on cutting carbon emissions.
‘Mission Zero The Net Zero Review’ makes 129 recommendations covering a wide range of energy-related issues, including how to deliver more energy efficient homes.
The report recognises the need to create gas-free homes, with Skidmore calling on ministers to ban the sale of new or replacement gas boilers by 2033, two years earlier than current plans. The government should provide certainty on the phase-out date by 2024 to drive industry and investor confidence.
“Bringing the mandate of no new gas boilers forward from 2035 to 2033 helps households save money by doing this sooner rather than later,” Skidmore said. He argues that while it was only a difference of two years, the date was “pragmatic” and based on conversations with the energy industry, which says any later would be ‘unfeasible’.
Alongside this, the report recommends government adopt a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology. This would “turbocharge” uptake of heat pumps and other low carbon heating sources, it claims.
The report also calls for homes with an EPC of ‘D’ or worse, which can use 27% more gas and 18% more electricity on average than ‘C’ rated ones, to be banned from sale by 2033.
