The government confirmed the 2035 gas boiler ban in its 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy, and the date has not changed.
The 2035 gas boiler ban was first set out by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (now the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, DESNZ) in its October 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy (GOV.UK, 2021). That document confirmed the government’s intention to end the installation of new natural gas boilers in homes from 2035. As of 2026, the 2035 date has not been revised or delayed, despite changes in political leadership and wider energy market turbulence.
The ban applies only to the installation of new gas boilers, not to the use of existing ones. Homeowners with a working gas boiler can continue using it, servicing it, and repairing it indefinitely after 2035. The policy also covers oil and LPG boilers, but for most UK homes connected to the mains gas grid, the practical effect is on natural gas heating. The policy has remained stable: no government announcement in 2026 has moved the target date.
Quick numbers what the 2035 ban means for your heating timeline and costs
The table below shows the key choices and costs for a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home, based on 2026 prices and current policy. All figures are approximate and depend on your home’s size, insulation, and local installer rates.
| Replacement year | Allowed heating system | Upfront cost (installed) | Annual running cost (3-bed semi, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2035 | Gas boiler (new) | £2,500 – £4,500 | £800 – £1,100 |
| 2035 – 2039 | Heat pump or hybrid (gas boiler + heat pump) | £8,000 – £12,000 (after £7,500 grant) | £600 – £900 (well-insulated home) |
| 2040+ | Heat pump only (hybrid gas component phased out) | £8,000 – £12,000 (after grant) | £500 – £800 (with full insulation) |
Upfront costs for heat pumps come from the Energy Saving Trust’s Heat Pump Cost Survey (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Running costs are based on DESNZ data on average gas and electricity prices under the 2026 price cap (DESNZ, 2026). The gas boiler cost range is from Which? research on typical 2026 installation prices.
The ban targets new gas boiler installations, not your existing boiler or gas cooker
To be clear: the 2035 ban does not require you to remove a working gas boiler. If your boiler was installed before 2035, you can keep it, have it serviced, and repair it for as long as it lasts. The ban only stops the sale and installation of new gas boilers from that date. There is no requirement to pre-emptively scrap a working boiler before 2035.
Gas hobs and gas cookers are not affected by the boiler ban. The policy is specifically about heating systems, not cooking appliances. You can continue using a gas cooker after 2035 without any regulatory change. The distinction is important: the ban targets the primary heating source, not all gas appliances in the home.
The only direct answer from 2035, new heating systems must be low-carbon, typically a heat pump
In plain English: from 2035, if your boiler fails or you decide to replace it, you must install a low-carbon heating system. For most homes connected to the gas grid, the most common replacement will be an air-source heat pump. The Heat and Buildings Strategy and the Future Homes Standard consultation confirm that low-carbon systems are the required standard (GOV.UK, Future Homes Standard consultation).
Hybrid systems, a heat pump paired with a gas boiler, are allowed under current proposals. However, the gas boiler component in a hybrid system must be phased out by a later date, consistent with the UK’s 2050 net-zero target. This means a hybrid installation today is a transitional step, not a permanent solution. Homeowners choosing a hybrid system should plan for eventual full electrification.
Eligibility and installer certification how to verify a compliant heat pump installation today
To qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (see next section), the installer must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and the heat pump model must be listed on the MCS product database (MCS Certified, 2026). MCS certification ensures the installer has the technical competence to design and install heat pumps to industry standards.
TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme for all heating installations, including heat pumps (TrustMark, 2026). Homeowners should check that their installer holds both MCS and TrustMark registration. Gas Safe Register does not cover heat pumps, it only covers gas, oil, and LPG appliances. For a gas boiler installed before 2035, the installer must be Gas Safe registered (Gas Safe Register, 2026).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (£7,500) makes a heat pump cheaper than a new gas boiler in 2026
From April 2026, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards the cost of an air-source heat pump (GOV.UK, Boiler Upgrade Scheme, 2026). After the grant, a typical heat pump installation costs between £8,000 and £12,000, depending on your home’s size and the required work. By comparison, a new gas boiler installation costs £2,500 to £4,500.
The upfront difference after the grant is £500 to £4,500 more for a heat pump. However, running costs can be lower. DESNZ data shows that for a well-insulated three-bed semi, a heat pump costs roughly £600–£900 per year to run, compared with £800–£1,100 for a gas boiler. The payback period depends on your insulation levels and future energy prices. Homeowners replacing a boiler before 2035 can claim the grant now, there is no requirement to wait until the ban takes effect.
Insulation is the real prerequisite – a heat pump won’t work well in a draughty home
Heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures (typically 35–45°C) than gas boilers (60–80°C). This means they are most efficient and comfortable in a well-insulated home. The Energy Saving Trust reports that a heat pump in a poorly insulated home can cost 20–30% more to run than in a well-insulated one (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
Before considering a heat pump, homeowners should check their loft insulation (aim for 270mm minimum) and cavity wall insulation. The Great British Insulation Scheme provides potential funding for these measures (GOV.UK, 2026). Without adequate insulation, a heat pump will work harder, cost more to run, and may struggle to heat the home to a comfortable level in winter.
If you replace your boiler between now and 2035, you are future-proofing – or not
A new gas boiler installed in 2026 has an average lifespan of about 15 years (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). That means it will likely need replacing again around 2036–2041, landing right after the 2035 ban. At that point, you would be forced to switch to a low-carbon system, potentially at a higher cost if you have not planned for it.
The trade-off is clear. A new gas boiler now is cheaper upfront, roughly £2,500–£4,500, but locks you into a fossil-fuel system that will need replacement after the ban. A heat pump now avoids a forced switch later, but costs more upfront even with the grant. Homeowners who replace their boiler in the next few years should weigh the short-term savings against the long-term requirement to decarbonise. The DESNZ carbon reduction targets make it unlikely that gas boiler installations will be permitted again after 2035 (DESNZ, 2021).
How to insulate your home before installing a heat pump
Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 eligibility and application process
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the 2035 date has not changed as of 2026. The government confirmed this in the 2021 Heat and Buildings Strategy (GOV.UK, 2021).
Yes, you can keep, service, and repair your existing gas boiler indefinitely after 2035. The ban only applies to new installations.
Heat pumps are the primary replacement, with hybrid systems (gas boiler plus heat pump) allowed from 2035 to 2039. After 2040, heat pumps only.
A heat pump costs £8,000–£12,000 installed after the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
Yes, the 2035 ban also covers oil and LPG boilers, not just natural gas. The same timeline applies to all fossil fuel heating systems.
