Can’t see this happening (gas boilers)

[Dustydazzler]

Climate change: Ban new gas boilers from 2025 to reach net-zero

A ban on new gas boilers from 2025 is one step to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, say energy experts.

www.bbc.co.uk

thoughts ...?

 

[SJD]

I already keep a spare pump and motorized valve for my heating system, perhaps I need to think about keeping a spare gas boiler as well?

 

[telectrix]

worst scenario is we'll have thousands of gas boiler fitters retraining as electricians/domestic installers. maybe then they'd think twice about running gas pipes across the front of CUs.

 

[snowhead]

It's not going to happen so soon there's no suitable replacement for older homes.
The ban on gas boilers in new builds probably comes in in 2025.

 

[Intoelectrics]

The aim is to eliminate fossil fuels to acheive carbon net zero, so it may not be so much as the end of "gas" fired boilers, but rather a change in what gas is used.

 

[nicebutdim]

The idea of banning gas boilers in new homes was workable, although would only serve to increase prices.

This new idea would mean that a home built today could have to undergo major works, never mind the huge expense involved, if a boiler failed in 2026. While it's just daft, it's not that hard to believe when you consider flat owners being expected to fork out tens of thousands to replace cladding.

I can see it being accompanied by a grant scheme, with a list of 3rd rate options from which homeowners can choose. Stick a spare boiler in the shed or start saving for an eyewateringly expensive alternative that might be of better construction than the grant approved options.

Ebay dealers will make a fortune from cheap boiler parts.

 

[overskilled]

Local authorities will foist on social housing whatever cent govt tells them to, no matter the running cost to tenants (particularly disabled) nor the disruption caused by tearing houses apart and the bodgery that goes on (i've seen joists that look like a beaver chewed through them and left me serious concerns about impact on structural integrity after pipework and boiler swap.....). Neither will it take into account that many council homes are impossible to insulate properly due to lowball construction methods, decades of corner cutting while profiteering or the cost to the taxpayer.
China will also cook the books, USA and Canada won't ban gas due to the impact on resource extraction jobs and the fact that heat pumps struggle in minus 40C.
Meanwhile anyone and their dog can whack in a coal fire or wood burner and pollute half the town with their smoky "cozy" fire and make anyone with chest issues life an utter misery, but hey its ok wood is "renewable" - total and utter twaddle.
Stick to gas, ban wood burners and open fires (and bonfires while they are at it)
Had electric heating...it sucked majorly both electricity and comfort - get a mild day and the house is roasting, sudden cold night or day and your shivering. Useless and should be binned.
COP26 - more like circle jerk 26....

 

[7029 dave]

IMO it wont happen that soon.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I am very cynical about all of this, I see it as a ploy to turn everything to electric power and not have any public enquires about new power stations and what will they be powered by?

 

[Moley]

not have any public enquires about new power stations and what will they be powered by?

But what will the new power stations be powered by? If the 'greens' have their way there will be no nuclear. The current gas stations are getting old and some are getting towards the end of their life. Solar and wind are no use for baseloading. Basically, as far as electricity production is concerned, we are screwed!

 

[nicebutdim]

Read a bit more about this and it is proposed that the ban will apply to 'gas only' boilers.

Manufacturers have previously been encouraged to make boilers that could be used with either gas or hydrogen, so these 'dual fuel' boilers would still be available as replacements, should the ban be effected.

 

[brianmoooore]

My car runs on gas (propane), and returns about 22MPG - about 20% less than it would on petrol.
The fuel system in my car is modifiable to run on hydrogen by replacing a few parts (injectors, reducer, software and fuel tank, but the biggest problem is that fuel consumption would increase to something like 4MPG.
All three consumption figures are largely as a result of the different calorific values of the different fuels, so is the UK domestic gas network capable of flowing the vastly increased amount required without major upgrades?

 

[nicebutdim]

No idea - I was thinking more about the fact that replacement boilers should still be available.

 

[brianmoooore]

Exactly! They'll run on natural gas or hydrogen. Government meets it's obligations on paper, but in reality, nothing changes.

 

[Simon47]

If the 'greens' have their way there will be no nuclear.

Be careful how far and wide to wipe that brush. There isn't such a group as "the greens" - but lots of different groups with different agendas. Some greens are actually in favour of nuclear power - because they can see that of all the options, that is by far the least bad.
Sadly, there are too many very vociferous <leaves lost list of expletives out> people shouting lies and other rubbish and making politicians afraid to make rational choices.

Now, as to the original subject ...
For new builds, there's not really all that much (apart from giving a sh*t and cost ... and having to add a square yard to the floorplan to house a HW cylinder) reason for not using heat pumps. When designed in, it shouldn't be significantly harder to install, but will add a little to the cost. New builds already have to meet the sort of standards for insulation and air-tightness where heat pumps will work - though actually heating those 'kin cold slabs of concrete they like putting on teh ground floor would improve things no end.
The more astute may sense that I don't think much of modern house builders ?

Of course, most developers will do nothing at all until forced to - and then they will put in the cheapest pile of manure they can find. Lets face it, they generally fit combi boilers FFS.

And until we do have a few more nuclear power stations, then any claim of "carbon free" is going to be just that - a claim, and not founded in any form of truth.