For over a century, gas boilers have quietly powered homes across the UK, providing the warmth and hot water we often take for granted. But in 2025, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. With net-zero targets on the horizon and the energy landscape changing rapidly, the UK is beginning to transition away from fossil-fuel heating towards cleaner, smarter alternatives. This shift has put the humble boiler under a national spotlight.
So, what does the future hold for boilers in the UK? Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing, what’s emerging and what’s realistic for different types of homes.
Now, as of January 7th 2025, the Government's original plan to ban the sale of gas boilers from 2035 has been scrapped. Whilst this seemingly 180° turn on this policy was a surprise, it seems fairly likely that we will still be moving away from gas boilers, someway somehow, in the near future.
Low-carbon heating solutions like electric boilers and heat pumps are still being prioritised, in fact The UK’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers households up to £7,500 in some cases to replace old boilers with low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps. This reduces upfront costs and supports the shift to cleaner, more efficient home heating. This means alternatives to gas are becoming more readily accessible.
Hydrogen-blend boilers do exist, these are kind of like a HD ready TV if anyone remembers those! But actual hydrogen boilers are still limited to specific field trial projects, having yet to gain any meaningful traction. Despite early enthusiasm, the general consensus is that hydrogen is unlikely to become a mainstream solution for domestic heating. High costs, infrastructure requirements and safety complexities have made them a nice idea, rather than a viable nationwide alternative.
Electric boilers are emerging as a serious alternative for many UK households, particularly in smaller or well-insulated properties. Unlike gas boilers, electric systems don’t emit carbon on-site and can be powered entirely by renewable electricity. This makes them an attractive option for those looking to future-proof their home heating.
Electric boilers work particularly well when paired with solar PV. Generating your own electricity and using it to power your heating can significantly reduce running costs and make the most of every kilowatt produced. This synergy between renewables and electric boilers is helping more homeowners take steps towards sustainable living.
At ThermoSphere, our range of electric boilers has been developed with different types of homes and user needs in mind.
⬜⚡ Take a closer look at electric boilers ⚡⬜
What does self-modulating mean? It means the boiler intelligently adjusts its energy use based on the actual demand. So rather than running at full capacity every time you turn on a tap or switch on the heating, it uses only the amount of electricity needed to reach and maintain the set temperature. This avoids energy waste, reduces bills and increases the boiler’s lifespan.
Micro Electric Boilers also pair well with wet underfloor heating systems, offering steady, low-temperature heating that is energy-efficient and comfortable. When combined with solar panels, they become an even more sustainable choice, using clean energy to meet every day needs in a highly efficient way.
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System boilers also complement solar PV panels or other renewable sources perfectly. You can use solar-generated electricity to power your heating, reducing your reliance on the grid and cutting your bills. Their straightforward installation and compatibility with existing heating setups make them an accessible upgrade for households aiming to decarbonise without major renovations.
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While combis are highly efficient, they’re not essential in every property. If you don’t need both central heating and hot water at the same time, a System Boiler or Micro Boiler might be more appropriate. That said, for properties where space is limited and simultaneous hot water and heating needs exist, a combi can be a game-changer. Pairing with solar only enhances its appeal, allowing homeowners to run both heating and hot water using energy generated on-site.
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Electric boilers perform best when paired with renewable energy sources, especially solar panels. In well-insulated newbuilds or retrofitted homes with solar PV, electric heating becomes a highly efficient and cost-effective option. All types of electric boilers - micro, system, or combi - can benefit from solar integration, helping homeowners reduce their reliance on grid electricity and lower their carbon footprint.
Older properties, even those with limited insulation, can still benefit from electric boilers thanks to their ease of installation. There’s no need for flues, fuel storage or complex infrastructure changes, which can make them more straightforward to fit than other alternatives. Retrofitting an electric boiler can often be completed with minimal disruption, which is ideal for homes that aren’t ready for a complete heating overhaul.
However, it's worth noting that electric boilers aren’t suitable for every home. Larger properties with high heat demand may find electric solutions insufficient or costly to run. For these homes, other options such as heat pumps, may offer better efficiency and performance.
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Heat pumps are perhaps the most talked-about alternative to gas boilers. There are two main types: air source and ground source.
These work by extracting heat from the outside air, even in cold weather, and transferring it indoors via hot water pipes. They are generally efficient for around nine months of the year. However, during particularly cold winter spells (think minus six degrees and below), their performance can drop. When that happens, a built-in electric immersion heater, or even a gas boiler, often kicks in to meet demand, which can significantly increase energy use and costs.
Despite this limitation, ASHPs remain a popular option in newbuild homes and well-insulated retrofits. They are eligible for government incentives and installation is becoming more streamlined. However, space requirements and upfront costs still make them impractical for some households, especially in flats or smaller properties with limited outdoor access.
These systems use the consistent underground temperature to provide heating year-round. They are incredibly efficient and sustainable, but very expensive and invasive to install. In some cases, a ground source system can cost upwards of £100,000 and requires substantial land or drilling work, putting it out of reach for most homeowners.
While the running costs of GSHPs are low and performance is excellent, the high upfront investment and installation complexity mean they’re best suited for large properties, self-builds or long-term renovation projects where ground access is available.
If a low-cost, small-footprint, all-season heat pump were ever developed, it could change the game. But for now, that solution remains on the horizon.
One concern that often comes up is whether the UK’s electricity grid can handle a mass shift to electric heating. National Grid has acknowledged that while the current grid isn’t ready for everyone to switch overnight, it is undergoing major upgrades to prepare for exactly this kind of future demand.
Smart grid strategies, flexible tariffs, battery storage and investment in infrastructure are all helping the UK get closer to a fully electrified heating system. So while the switch must be phased and well-managed, the transition to electric heating is not out of reach. As renewables take on a bigger role in our energy mix, the grid will also become greener and more capable of supporting widespread electrification.
| Heating Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| Electric Micro Boilers | Flats and small homes | Compact, self modulating and UFH ready | Limited hot water capacity |
| Electric System Boiler | Retrofitted homes with cylinders | Easy to install and fits with existing fixtures | Needs a hot water tank |
| Electric Combi Boiler | Newbuilds and small to medium homes | On demand heat and water | Not ideal for high hot water demand |
| Air Source Heat Pump | Medium homes with good insulation | Efficient most of the year | Lower efficiency in deep winter |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | Large homes with long term investment | Ultra efficient with low running costs | Very high upfront costs with invasive installation process |
There’s no 'one-size-fits-all' answer to the future of heating. But what’s clear is that the UK is on a path toward cleaner, smarter heating systems. Whether it’s through electrification, better use of renewables or the cautious adoption of new technologies, the change is happening.
Electric boilers are already playing a key role in this transition. They are clean, quiet, simple to install, and pair beautifully with solar PV. For smaller homes, flats or those where a heat pump doesn’t make sense, they offer a practical and future-ready solution.
Heat pumps are another promising technology, especially where space and budget allow. While hydrogen may continue to pop up in headlines, it seems destined to remain the wildcard in the boiler world.
So, what is the future of domestic water heating in the UK? It might not be set in stone, but one thing is certain—it’s heating up. The boiler landscape is evolving and while we might be saying goodbye to gas, we're definitely not being left out in the cold.
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