Energy Secretary expected to signal end of green gas alternatives in favour of heat pumps
Ed Miliband has sparked fears of a “boiler ban by the backdoor” as he prepares to effectively rule out hydrogen as a future heating option for British homes.
Industry insiders warned the Energy Secretary is expected today to signal the end of a role for hydrogen heating, leaving households with no alternative but expensive heat pumps when their gas boilers need replacing. Sources briefed on the controversial proposal said turning away from green gases could force millions to abandon their existing heating systems.
The move comes despite Labour’s manifesto pledge that “nobody will be forced to rip out their boiler as a result of our plans.”
Green Gas Alternative
As the Energy Secretary drives towards net zero targets, retaining gas boilers would require replacing natural gas with eco-friendly alternatives like hydrogen or biomethane.
These greener gases could flow seamlessly through existing pipelines and work with current boilers, enabling millions to continue heating their homes as they do now. However, sources suggest Mr Miliband will snub these options in favour of pushing households towards heat pumps.
A source within the industry said: “Ed Miliband is effectively telling the British public they will not be able to keep their boilers in his net zero world.
“To sneak out a decision that big during recess, when the Government knows there is no parliamentary scrutiny, is completely unacceptable.”
Manifesto Pledge Under Fire
A fuming insider from the gas sector accused the Government of betrayal, stating: “This is a Government elected on a pledge not to rip out your boiler – instead they are quietly lifting them out of people’s homes and hoping they won’t notice.”
The government has confirmed it will consult on the role of hydrogen in home heating later in 2025. An update to the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy published in December stated the government would “assess the latest evidence before consulting in 2025 on the role of hydrogen in home heating.”
Previous governments had committed to taking a decision in 2026 on hydrogen’s role, following trials including the H100 project in Fife, which is due to go live by summer 2025.
Heat Pump Push
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, warned that Mr Miliband’s push for pumps could backfire spectacularly.
“Consumers can’t afford or won’t pay the sums required for a heat pump, even with the massive taxpayer subsidies on offer,” Mr Foster said.
“They are too expensive to install for most people and cost more to run than a gas boiler.”
Cost Concerns
Air source heat pumps typically cost between £8,000 and £15,000 to install, compared to £2,000 to £4,000 for a new gas boiler. Even with the government’s £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, households face significantly higher upfront costs.
Running costs remain contentious. While heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than gas boilers, electricity prices are approximately four times higher than gas per kilowatt hour.
Recent analysis suggests annual running costs for a typical home are £855 to £1,700 for a heat pump, compared to around £934 for a gas boiler. However, these figures vary significantly depending on home insulation, system efficiency, and energy tariffs.
Industry Warnings
The debate over hydrogen heating has divided the energy sector. While some major boiler manufacturers had called for all boilers to be “hydrogen-compatible as of 2025”, critics argue hydrogen is inefficient for home heating.
A 2023 government consultation on new-build homes stated there was “no practical way” that installing boilers of any type would “deliver significant carbon savings”, effectively ruling out hydrogen for new properties from 2025.
The ban on gas boilers in new homes has already been confirmed, with heat pumps becoming the default heating source for new builds from 2025 onwards.
Existing Homes Challenge
For Britain’s 29 million existing homes, 85 per cent of which use gas boilers, the transition presents enormous challenges. Many older properties lack the insulation levels needed for heat pumps to work efficiently.
The government’s own figures show just 32,000 heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2020, compared to 1.55 million gas boilers. Ministers have set an ambitious target of 600,000 heat pump installations annually by 2028.
Previous plans for hydrogen heating trials in Whitby, Redcar and Levenmouth have faced mixed reactions, with some residents concerned about being used as “guinea pigs” for unproven technology.
Political Fallout
The timing of any announcement during parliamentary recess has raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting the government is avoiding scrutiny on a decision affecting millions of households.
In his recent State of Climate and Nature address to Parliament, Mr Miliband said Britain must lead on climate action, describing opposition to net zero targets as “unpatriotic and irresponsible.
However, the Conservative opposition has warned that forcing households to adopt expensive heat pumps risks a public backlash. Shadow ministers have previously accused Labour of pursuing an “anti-boiler crusade” that will hit working families hardest.
Alternative Views
Supporters of heat pumps argue they represent the only viable path to decarbonising home heating at scale. Environmental groups have welcomed moves away from hydrogen, which they say would be better used in heavy industry where electrification is impossible.
The MCS Foundation’s David Cowdrey previously stated: “Allowing fossil fuel or hydrogen heating in new homes would have locked in high bills and high carbon emissions for a generation.”
What Happens Next
Any formal decision to rule out hydrogen heating would need to follow consultation, expected later this year. Industry groups are preparing to lobby hard during this process.
For the 1.5 million households who replace their boilers each year, uncertainty over future heating options continues. While gas boilers can still be installed until at least 2035 under current plans, the direction of travel appears increasingly clear.
As one industry source put it: “The beginning of the end for gas boilers has already been signalled. The question now is how fast that transition happens, and who pays for it.”
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Image Credit:
Ed Miliband visits Castle Hill Hospital – Photo by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL), via Wikimedia Commons.
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