The government is preparing to ban fossil fuel heating such as gas and hydrogen-ready boilers based on its consultation on low-carbon building standards.
Under the government’s Future Homes Standard, all future hot water and heating demand should be met through “low-carbon sources”, such as heat pumps.
It comes as the UK prepares to ensure all new builds will be “net zero ready” by 2025.
The government wrote that fossil fuel heating of any type – including hybrid heat pumps – “will not meet this standard”.
“We found no practical way to allow the installation of fossil fuel boilers while also delivering significant carbon savings and ‘zero-carbon ready’ homes,” it continued.
“As such, we do not expect fossil fuel heating, such as gas, hybrid heat pumps and hydrogen-ready boilers, will meet these standards. The standards proposed are also unlikely to allow the installation of biofuel systems, including wood and manufactured solid fuels.”
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Greenpeace climate campaigner Georgia Whitaker said as the government “finally realised the deep flaws in using hydrogen for heating,” it now needs to embrace heat pumps as “the only way forward”.
“The push for hydrogen boilers was just a blatant attempt by the fossil fuel industry to keep us hooked on gas – which hydrogen is often made from,” Whitaker added.
Elsewhere, the government announced backing for 11 major projects to produce green hydrogen – through a process known as electrolysis – and confirmed suppliers will receive a guaranteed price from the government for the clean energy they supply.
Whitaker said the investment is “extremely welcome”.
“Green hydrogen – produced from renewable energy – is genuinely low carbon and will play a vital role in cutting emissions from industries, like steel and glass production.”
