Net zero 2050 refers to the country producing net zero carbon emissions by that year.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that ‘no’ carbon will be produced and released into the atmosphere. Instead, technology, and in some cases, nature will be utilised to ensure that the carbon released into the atmosphere is ‘offset’ elsewhere.

Yes you can replace your existing gas-fired boiler and no, you don’t have to do this before 2025. There is talk that only gas-fired boilers that can be connected to a hydrogen gas supply can be purchased in the future, there is yet though no legislation or policy changes in place.

If it becomes the case that only hydrogen-ready boilers can be placed onto the market in the future then rest assured, Worcester Bosch will have a full range of hydrogen ready boilers available.

The Government are banning natural gas in new build homes in an effort to reduce carbon emissions in the UK. Low to no carbon alternatives such as hydrogen gas are still being trialled and may become a viable alternative in the future.

There are a number of different alternatives options to a natural gas boiler. These include electric heat pumps, renewable technology, hybrid heating systems and potentially hydrogen-ready boilers.

There are many factors to consider when considering replacing a gas boiler with an electric one. For example, you should consider the size of your home, as an electric boiler has limitation on outputs. Also, consider cost, as they can be expensive to run with gas being up to 4 times cheaper than electricity according to some sources.

Government research conducted in 2020 stated the average cost of an air source heat pump to be between £8,900 and £14,500, depending on the extent of the home alterations, and around £20,000 - £25,000 for a Ground Source heat pump.

House alterations are also something to consider. Your property’s specifications for example. For a ground source heat pump, you’ll need a substantial outdoor space (around 2x the size of the dwelling) which can be dug up to lay the ground loop containing the heat fluid.

If you don’t have this space or don’t want to dig up your garden, you can drill one or more bore holes to install the collector pipework however this can be quite expensive. If you don’t wish to do either of these, then an air source heat pump may be more suitable, as it doesn’t require a ground collection system.

Your property’s level of insulation will also determine the cost and efficiency of the heat pump you opt for. New build properties are ideal for heat pump installation, as they are fitted to high energy efficiency standards. Older properties can be insulated to these levels, however, it can be quite disruptive.

You may also consider your current heating system – if you have a gas or an oil-fired boiler then you are likely to find the existing radiators and pipework are not large enough for the lower temperature heat that a heat pump operates at.

Heat pumps can deliver a number of benefits. They can lower your fuel bills, lower your home’s carbon emissions, they do not require fuel deliveries, and there is little maintenance required. Plus, a ground or air source heat pump is eligible for various grants and incentives.

Heat pumps are a great way to heat your home in an environmentally friendly way while saving money in the long term.

There are numerous trials taking place across the UK into hydrogen gas and its uses in the home, many of which we at Worcester Bosch are involved in.

These include ‘HyStreet’, a test site in Northumberland where over 200 tests have been completed to research the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen.

There is also a two-home Hy4Heat trial in Gateshead where two homes have been built specifically to showcase the gas in operation. Such as boilers, cookers, and fires all running on hydrogen.

These trials will prove that hydrogen is a safe alternative to natural gas, from then hydrogen-ready boilers will become more of a reality.

Nearly all gas appliances that are in use today, including our boilers, are able to run on a mixture of hydrogen and natural gas. This is called a blend and sees 20% of the fuel source powering the appliance being hydrogen gas, with the remaining 80% being natural, which is where the term 20% Hydrogen ready comes from.

Additional research is being undertaken at Keele University, where around 150 boilers were running on up to a 20% hydrogen blend for around 18 months. There have been no issues with either heating systems or cooking appliances.

There is also a 300-home trial in Fife, which will see a switch from natural gas to hydrogen by 2022.

Finally, there is HyNet in the Northwest of England, which although not specific to boilers, does include heating homes as one of its key focuses. This is alongside hydrogen production, transportation, and manufacturing.

All trials are working towards one goal: gathering and building evidence, as well as confirming what we know already, to help increase confidence in hydrogen as a technology.

Many existing homes, despite energy efficiency improvements, still have relatively poor insulation and high rates of air exchange with the outdoors.

A hydrogen-ready boiler is capable of accommodating an existing high temperature heating system in a hard-to-heat building. Where costs are highly constrained, the boiler (and conversion of the local gas network) provides an accessible way to deeply decarbonise heat.

From a customer point of view, a hydrogen-ready boiler does not require any behaviour change and will provide the same delivery of comfort as an existing appliance.