Builders face ban on gas boilers in most new homes in England

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New homes in England will be banned from having gas heating systems under long-awaited government building regulations which are expected to be announced next year but will not kick in until 2027.

Builders will be required to introduce electric heat pumps or other non-gas heating systems in most new builds in compliance with the “future homes standard”, designed to improve properties’ energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The regulations were first announced by former Conservative chancellor Philip Hammond in 2019 and included a six-year lead time for implementation to give the industry enough time to prepare for the overhaul in building practice. 

A consultation on the policy by the previous Tory government ended in March. The new Labour administration, elected in July, hopes to present the final guidance on gas heating phaseout next year with legislation as early as May, according to people familiar with the matter.

A 12-month period is expected before the relevant bill would come into effect followed by a transition arrangement of up to a year, meaning the regulations would not take effect until around May 2027. 

James Dyson, senior researcher at climate policy think-tank E3G, said it was a “scandal” that it had taken so long to introduce the new standards, which are also designed to reduce household energy bills.

“We estimate the delay has led to about 700,000 homes being built with heating systems that need replacing — passing a cost of over £12,000 per home on to families and social housing associations,” he said.

Dyson said the plans should be implemented “as soon as possible”, noting that a phased rollout would “let down families across the country”, leading bills to “remain high”.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government wanted all new properties to be built without gas boilers by the end of the decade.

“We remain committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will become net zero as the grid decarbonises,” it said. “All options set out in the future homes standard consultation would result in significant emissions reductions compared to previous standards.” 

However, one government aide said the ban on installing new gas boilers could include a handful of limited exemptions.

The future homes standard, and updated building regulations, aim to cut carbon emissions from new homes by 75-80 per cent compared with current standards. Under the guidance, builders can use a mix of different technologies and insulation materials to meet requirements. 

The government will also encourage the use of solar panels on homes where possible, but will stop short of mandating their installation on roofs. 

“Solar panels are not currently mandated and it is a fundamental principle of building regulations that we do not constrain innovation by prescribing any specific technology,” the government said. 

Ed Miliband, energy secretary, has previously supported the compulsory installation of solar panels, but ran into resistance from other ministers concerned over the costs for consumers, according to Labour officials. 

Dyson at E3G said that solar panels were “for most homes, integral to making sure bills are low and sustainable”.

Steve Turner, executive director of the Home Builders Federation, an industry body, said the “vast majority” of new homes would be built with solar panels, adding they would not be appropriate for all types of property.

“To be able to meet the challenging requirements, industry needs clear guidance with set timeframes and workable transition arrangements,” he said. 

He added that a “range of options” were also needed “depending on the location and construction arrangements on each development”.