The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) has published survey findings on homeowner uncertainty over the government's plans to phase out older boilers, in an industry news item dated October 20231. The findings come from a survey conducted by MyBuilder.com, which IGEM reports in its own write-up1.
IGEM reports that "nearly half (48%) of homeowners have doubts regarding how the boiler ban will impact their individual properties", and that "a staggering 65% express scepticism about the availability of government schemes to facilitate a smooth transition"1. The same item puts the cost of installing approved heating systems such as heat pumps at "anywhere between £2,400, £14,050"1. It also states that over 23 million homes in the UK have a gas boiler supplying heating and hot water1.
"Factors such as space requirements, property age and upfront costs can be barriers for this technology."
IGEM states that the government has approved hydrogen blending, allowing up to 20 per cent hydrogen to be blended into the gas network, which it says is expected to happen as soon as 2025 and would reduce the carbon emissions of home heating1. The item does not set out a date for any boiler ban itself, and no such date is given in the material1.
| Measure reported by IGEM | Figure |
|---|---|
| Homeowners with doubts about the boiler ban's impact on their property | 48% |
| Homeowners sceptical about government transition schemes | 65% |
| Estimated installation cost, approved heating systems such as heat pumps | £2,400 to £14,050 |
| UK homes with a gas boiler | Over 23 million |
| Hydrogen blending permitted in the gas network | Up to 20% |
Why it matters for households
The figures point to a gap between the direction of policy and what households understand about their own homes. Nearly half of those surveyed could not say how a phase-out would land on their property, and close to two thirds doubted that government schemes would be there to smooth the change1. For a household weighing up what to do about an ageing boiler, that uncertainty sits alongside the practical questions IGEM raises: whether a heat pump suits the property at all, given space, the age of the building and the upfront cost1.
The 23 million figure matters because it describes the scale of the installed base. Most UK homes heat with gas, and any change to how that heating is delivered touches the majority of households rather than a niche1. Hydrogen blending at up to 20 per cent is presented as a way to lower the carbon intensity of the gas already being burned, without replacing the boiler, though IGEM gives no detail on how blending would reach individual homes or what it means for appliance compatibility1.
For energy independence, the picture is mixed. A heat pump shifts a home's heating onto electricity, which can be generated domestically, while a gas boiler leaves the household tied to the gas network. IGEM's item does not compare running costs or supply security between the two, and no such comparison is reported1.
What happens next
IGEM says hydrogen blending is expected to happen as soon as 20251. No further dates, scheme names or eligibility details are given in the material1.