Going Green: Oil Boiler Replacement Options

Having committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the UK government are turning their attention to sustainable energy solutions. As such, traditional oil boilers that typically produce around 5 tonnes of CO₂ annually, will be phased out over the next decade. So, if your heating or hot water system is fuelled by kerosene, it’s time to start doing some research. Find out more about the upcoming ban and the oil boiler replacement options available to you, below.

What the 2035 oil boiler ban means for homeowners

Put simply, from 2035, homeowners will no longer be able to install new or replacement oil boilers. You can, however, continue using your existing boiler until it ceases to operate. Then when you need a new one, you’ll have to replace it with something more eco-friendly. This move primarily impacts properties off the gas grid, particularly in rural areas.

Similarly, new build homes are being fitted with greener alternatives in a bid to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The hope is that this will create more energy efficient properties which are also cheaper to heat in the long term. And to encourage you to transition early, the government are now providing financial incentives to help fund oil boiler alternatives. More on this shortly…

Oil boiler replacement options for off-gas properties

Looking into replacing your oil boiler or just want to know what your options are for future reference? Below are three of the most popular (and viable) alternatives:

Electric boilers

The first option is installing an electric boiler instead. They work in much the same way as conventional boilers, but use electricity to produce heat. This eliminates the need for fossil fuels and in turn, means they produce zero carbon emissions. Electric boilers are also easy to install compared to other oil boiler replacement options, and require minimal maintenance. Plus, electric radiators often come with precise digital thermostats to give you full control over the temperature of each room. However, there are some drawbacks to consider…

Namely, with electricity prices on the rise, the cost of running your boiler can quickly add up. As a result, it may be worth combining it with a renewable heat source such as solar panels.

What’s more, standard electric heating systems aren’t suitable for large properties. The reason for this is that they struggle to keep up with high demand for heating and hot water. Even if you have good insulation, the reality is that they are best reserved for smaller homes.

Biomass boilers

Another option is a biomass boiler. These offer an eco-friendly alternative to oil boilers, utilising organic materials like wood pellets, chips or logs to generate heat. They work by burning fuel (just like an oil boiler), then storing the heat produced. It is then released as energy to your heat water and radiators as needed.

However, biomass boilers are considered carbon neutral because the CO₂ emitted during combustion is offset by the amount absorbed by the wood during its growth. Plus, biomass systems can repurpose waste wood materials to make running them more sustainable.

Softwood pellets are the most common fuel type and generally work out cheaper than kerosene, but slightly more than gas. Just bear in mind that you’ll need enough storage space to stockpile fuel – such as in a dry garage.

You’ll also have a choice of biomass boiler models, including manual fed and automatic loaders. The latter being more convenient, but also more expensive. That said, you can now apply for a grant of up to £5,000 towards installing a biomass boiler to help bring costs down.

Heat pumps

Last but not least, we have heat pumps. This upcoming technology seems to be the preferred oil boiler replacement option at present. With that in mind, heat pump grants of up to £7,500 are available to homeowners as part of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. They are also being installed in new build homes across the country in order to meet strict efficiency standards.

Heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground and convert it into usable energy for home heating. Air source heat pumps (ASHP) absorb heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and heat it further to warm your home and water. They work most efficiently in well-insulated properties and have a significantly lower carbon footprint than oil or gas heating.

Ground source heat pumps (GSHP), meanwhile, use underground pipes to harness geothermal heat which typically sits at 10-12°C year round. With that in mind, it takes less effort for the pump to heat the water in the pipes, offering even greater efficiency. In fact, you could benefit from a significant reduction in running costs! However, ground source pumps require excavation works and space to lay pipes, which may not be feasible for all properties.

Heat pumps have several advantages, including low running costs and high energy efficiency ratings. They also have a long lifespan of 20 plus years, but the upfront cost can be a barrier for some. (Hence why the grant scheme is now in place). Additionally, you may need to further insulate your home to make the most of your heat pump system.

Emerging technologies

As the demand for sustainable heating systems grows, new technologies are being developed and trialled to provide oil boiler alternatives. Two that stand out as promising options are hydrogen and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) boilers.

Hydrogen boilers operate similarly to conventional gas boilers, but instead of natural gas, they use hydrogen as fuel. This is a much cleaner option and could even be blended with natural gas to reduce emissions until the technology catches up. However, infrastructure challenges need to be addressed before these systems can be widely adopted.

Alternatively, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) boilers could offer a more practical solution. This renewable biofuel is derived from vegetable oils and waste fats, providing a low-carbon alternative to kerosene heating oil. As an added benefit, it can also be used in some existing oil boilers with only minor modifications. And it has been successfully trialled in 150 homes!

The problem is that availability of HVO is limited and comes at a premium. Therefore, production needs to be scaled up if future demand is to be met. Otherwise, as this article suggests, a 20% HVO and 80% kerosene blend could be used in the short term to improve emissions. Then hopefully when the ban comes into force, technology will have caught up.

Oil boiler alternatives supplied and fitted by us

Ready to get an oil boiler replacement installed or want to discuss options for your property with an expert? Contact our team of heating engineers on 0800 085 7510 for tailored advice and to book a free site survey. Or learn more about our renewable heating services here.