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Call for Hydrogen-ready Boilers by 2025
Leading boiler brands like Worcester Bosch and Baxi are pushing for a big change in the UK. They want the government to make it mandatory to install boilers that can use hydrogen by 2025. This push comes after a report from the Hydrogen Taskforce, a group working on using hydrogen for energy.
| The Hydrogen Taskforce is made up of ten organizations focused on energy and heating. They want to switch from using natural gas to using hydrogen for home heating. Their report, “The Role of Hydrogen in delivering Net Zero,” lays out steps to make hydrogen boilers a big part of our energy by 2025. |
Right now, all gas boilers made since 1996 can work with some hydrogen. The first step will likely be adding 20% hydrogen to the natural gas grid. This is being tested at Keele University, heating homes and buildings. They hope to do this across the country by 2025 and eventually switch to 100% hydrogen.
Over the next year, hydrogen will be added to the gas grid. But you don’t need to rush out and get a hydrogen-ready boiler just yet. Modern boilers can handle up to 20% hydrogen without any changes. It might take about 5 years for the industry to be ready for higher levels of hydrogen.
When hydrogen is widespread, homeowners will need hydrogen-ready boilers. These can use natural gas or a mix of natural gas and hydrogen. Companies like Baxi and Worcester Bosch are already among hydrogen boiler manufacturers. They want them to be required for new installs starting in 2025.
| Baxi’s Head of External Affairs, Jeff House, says, “We’re ready to make clean heating happen, but we need the government’s help. Hydrogen boilers can give people the heat and hot water they need, and it’s good for the environment too.” |
Hydrogen doesn’t produce carbon like natural gas does, so it’s better for the planet. It’s also more efficient. Switching to a 20% hydrogen blend could save a lot of carbon emissions, equal to taking millions of cars off the road.
To make the hydrogen boiler work, we need to find ways to make it without adding more carbon to the air. Baxi wants the government to invest £1 billion to make this happen. Currently, Baxi boilers price range from £900 to £1500.
If you need a new boiler, you might want to wait until hydrogen-ready boilers are available. But for now, a modern gas boiler is still a good choice. It can use natural gas now and switch to hydrogen later when it’s ready.
