Government Announcement on Oil Boilers

As part of its mission to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the UK government has made the decision to phase out oil boilers.

Initially, the plan was that from 2026 onwards, any oil boiler that broke down would need to be replaced by a low-carbon heating alternative like a heat pump.

However, in September 2023, the government announced plans to push this date back to 2035 to align it with the phase out of gas boilers.

Will Oil Boilers Be Banned Outright?

Oil boilers won’t be banned outright from 2035 but rather they will be phased out gradually.

Essentially, you won’t be forced to get rid of a fully working oil boiler but rather, from 2035 onwards, if your boiler has a break down, you’ll have to replace it with a low carbon alternative like a heat pump rather than another oil boiler.

The government has also agreed that 20% of homes that are considered particularly hard to convert will be considered exempt from the phasing out process altogether.

What is HW Humphreys Doing to Help Achieve Net Zero by 2050?

We at HW Humphreys fundamentally support the need to achieve net zero by 2050, in fact our strategy is to reduce our and our customers carbon intensity by half by 2030.

As a part of Certas Energy, we have been working hard with our trade association – UKIFDA – to make the case for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement for kerosene (the current heating oil used in the UK). This would reduce CO2 in heating oil-using homes by 90%.

Moreover, we are investing in other renewable energy sectors such as solar and heat pumps so that we can enable our customers to take part in their own energy transition when it is best for them.

Meanwhile, this change in government policy gives you more time to look at the options that are right for you and your home.