The phase-out of fossil fuel boilers is a set of policies to remove the use of fossil gas (or "natural gas") and other fossil fuels from the heating of buildings and use in appliances. Typically gas is used to heat water, for showering, or central heating. In many countries, gas heating is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and climate damage, leading a growing number of countries to introduce bans. Air source heat pumps are the main alternative.
The International Energy Agency has said that new gas boilers (or gas furnaces) should be banned no later than 2025.Net zero by 2050 (May 2021) IEA Many installations and appliances have a life-span of 25 years, leading for calls that the bans must take place immediately, or at latest by 2025, because otherwise targets of net zero by 2050 cannot or are unlikely to be reached.EU Commission paralysis delays phase-out of fossil fuel boilers (7 July 2021) Cool Products However fossil fuels lobbyists are resisting phase-out.
List of gas boiler bans The following table lists different ban types in new or existing buildings.Which countries are scrapping fossil fuel heaters? (17 April 2023) European Heat Pump Association.
State Measure Date DetailsAustriaBan on gas, oil and coal boiler installation and heaters in new buildings.2023Further plan to ban oil and coal boilers in existing buildings.BelgiumBan on new oil boilers and gas connections in Flanders in all new buildings.2025Only in FlandersCaliforniaBan on new gas furnaces and water heaters.2030California Air Resources Board writing rules to implement.C Wells, 'California plans to phase out new gas heaters by 2030' (23 September 2022) NPRDenmark Convert all 400,000 gas boilers to district heating and heat pumps2029Use obligation and duty for renewable energyFrance Oil and gas boilers banned in new buildings2023 GermanyBan on coal and oil boilers in existing buildings2026Aim to have 65% renewable energy in existing buildings from 2024 IrelandGas and oil boilers banned from installation.2025 Italy60% renewables in new homes2022 LuxembourgNo new gas and oil installations in new buildings2023 NetherlandsBan on connections to the grid for new buildings from 2018. 2026Mandatory heat pumps from 2026 NorwayBan on gas and oil in existing or new homes SlovakiaBan on sales and installation of new oil and gas boilers2023UKBan on gas and oil boilers in new buildings 2035
See also Fossil fuel phase-out Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles Plastic bans Montreal Protocol
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