There’s been a lot of chatter lately about bans, phase-outs and new rules for home heating. Add in news that Centrica has signed a major natural-gas deal with Norway until 2035, and it’s no wonder many homeowners are confused about what the future really looks like.
If you’ve got an older gas boiler — or you’re worried about replacing one — here’s what you actually need to know.
- Gas boilers aren’t being banned in existing homes.
Let’s start with the biggest worry. Despite headlines over the last few years, there is no law stopping you from keeping or replacing a gas boiler in an existing home.
The government previously floated the idea of restricting new gas boiler installations from 2035, but later dropped the plan. So if your boiler fails in the coming years, you’ll still be allowed to install another gas boiler.
For new-build homes, things are tighter. Low-carbon heating will soon be expected as standard, meaning most future new houses won’t be built with gas boilers. But this doesn’t affect existing properties.
- So what about that Centrica deal with Norway?
This is where some reassurance comes in. Centrica (the parent company of British Gas) has locked in a long-term agreement with Norway to supply gas through 2035. For homeowners, this matters for a few reasons:
- It strengthens the UK’s overall gas security for the next decade.
- It means the natural gas supply is expected to remain available and stable.
- It signals that gas will continue to play a role in the energy mix well into the 2030s.
But — and this is important — the deal doesn’t guarantee that gas boilers will remain the cheapest or most supported option. It only guarantees supply, not future regulations or price trends.
In other words, yes, your gas boiler is unlikely to be left stranded, but it doesn’t freeze heating policy or stop the UK shifting towards low-carbon alternatives.
- What does this mean for you and your older boiler?
If your boiler is ageing — or you’re worried about whether a replacement is “future proof” — here’s the real-world situation:
You’re not about to be forced to rip out your boiler
No one is coming to take it off the wall. You can repair it, replace it, or keep using gas.
Gas supply is secure for the foreseeable future
The Norway deal helps underpin this. So keeping a gas boiler into the 2030s is entirely realistic.
But heating policy is still shifting.
The UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions, and that means:
- Heat pumps will become more common.
- Hybrid systems (gas + electric) will gain traction.
- Hydrogen-ready technology may eventually play a role.
- Energy-efficiency standards will increase.
Running costs may change.
Even if gas remains available, prices, levies, and efficiency rules may gradually shift to favour low-carbon heating.
If your boiler is ancient…
You don’t need to panic, but it’s sensible to start thinking ahead. If you replace it with another gas boiler today, it will still have a meaningful working life. But options like hydrogen-ready boilers or hybrid systems could give you greater flexibility in the future.
The bottom line
Your gas boiler is not under threat, and the UK’s latest gas-supply deal helps reinforce that. There is no looming ban on replacements in existing homes, and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy system for at least the next decade.
However, the broader move towards cleaner heating is still happening. So while you’re safe to repair or replace your boiler for now, it’s wise to stay aware of new options and future-proofing possibilities.
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