Hydrogen Boilers
Hydrogen boilers are coming – but they’re not here yet! As part of the government’s push to reduce greenhouse gases, natural gas boilers are being phased out. But this will be a slow process, it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
You might’ve heard that gas boilers are being banned from 2025; that’s not quite true. What is actually happening is that new build properties must not be installed with gas-powered boilers from 2025. But any existing homes can continue to have gas boilers fitted, repaired or replaced as before.
What are Hydrogen Boilers?
Hydrogen boilers work much like gas-powered boilers, in fact, they look very similar too. Instead of burning natural gas, hydrogen is used. Most of the internal components are the same with just a few differences.
Hydrogen boilers are not yet available to buy, but most boiler manufacturers are working on adding them to their range. However, hydrogen-blend ready boilers are available for installation now.
What is a Hydrogen-blend Ready Boiler?
A range of currently available modern boilers is ‘hydrogen-blend ready’. This means they can use a blend of hydrogen and natural gas to run.
In time, the UK mains gas supply will have hydrogen added. The blend is thought to be around 80% natural gas and 20% hydrogen.
The timeline for this transition is not yet established, but to make sure that British homes are prepared, hydrogen-blend ready boilers must be in place.
Do I Need a Hydrogen Boiler?
At the moment, there is no requirement to have a hydrogen boiler installed. Don’t change a perfectly good boiler, there is plenty of time to prepare for the switch to hydrogen. If you want to know more about the technology, speak to one of us at Sharman Plumbing & Heating. We can explain what hydrogen boilers are.
The good news is that hydrogen boilers aren’t expected to cost any more than natural gas-powered heaters. They will be serviced and maintained in much the same way, so you’ll hardly notice the change.
Why are Hydrogen Boilers being Introduced?
It’s now recognised that continuing to use fossil fuels is not sustainable. Alternative ways to heat houses and water must be established. Along with renewables such as solar electricity, ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps, hydrogen is another source of energy that can be used.
Green hydrogen is a renewable energy source. It is clean and the only waste it produces is water vapour. Currently, green hydrogen is expensive, but as more energy producers become interested in the product, cheaper it will become.
If you are having a replacement boiler and want one that is hydrogen-blend ready, let us know. We can supply the most up-to-date units around from trusted suppliers. As the technology continues to evolve, we are ready to install hydrogen-blend ready boilers in Stamford.
