The proposed ban on oil boilers from 2026 is about to get real for millions, as the government grapples with implementing their policy that will cost each household an extra £11,000.
Replacing broken oil boiler
According to exclusive polling on the subject, conducted by trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), MPs will face the wrath of voters if they try to enforce the ban, with 85 percent of voters promising not to support their MP if they enforced the ban. The off-grid boiler ban is also viewed as “unfair discrimination” by 79 percent of those asked.
Replacing a broken oil boiler is likely to cost the average home around £2000, but if a ban were to be put in place, a heat pump replacement would cost £13,000, an extra £11,000 that the consumer would need to find to keep warm.
off-grid boiler ban
85 percent of voters said they would not vote for any MP that backed a ban costing them an extra £11,000"
Commenting on the polling, EUA’s Chief Executive said, “The ban on oil boilers is about to get very real for millions of families, as it will MPs. When asked, 85 percent of voters said they would not vote for any MP that backed a ban costing them an extra £11,000 just to keep warm. That’s what a 2026 ban on oil replacement boilers means.”
“The government consulted on this issue and has yet to publish their response, but the ban is part of their Heat and Buildings Strategy."
Heat pumps
"It is due to start in 2026 and voters are not really aware of the consequences. It has not been spelled out to them that the government is not going to pay; they, as homeowners, will have to find the extra £11 grand themselves to fit a heat pump.”
“What is particularly unfair and discriminatory, is that those who live on the gas grid won’t face a ban until 2035, and then only if heat pumps have fallen to the same price as a gas boiler. Those using oil or LPG, mostly living in rural areas, have no such protection.”
Unfair discrimination
“Homes using oil or LPG are viewed as ‘low hanging fruit’, easy to pick off, but MPs have been warned. Rural homeowners are not flush with cash; they often live in hard-to-warm homes and frankly, a heat pump may not be suitable for them.”
“With 79 percent of voters arguing that such a boiler ban is unfair discrimination and 85 percent promising to withdraw support for any MP backing the ban, it really is a matter now for politicians to take notice. If they don’t, then their P45s will be in the post after the next election.”