The phase-out of fossil fuel boilers is a set of policies to remove the use of
fossil gas (or "natural gas") and other fossil fuels from the heating of buildings and use in appliances. Typically gas is used to heat water, for showering, or central heating. In many countries, gas heating is one of the major contributors to
greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide (), from burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, oil, and natural gas, is the main cause of climate chan ...
and
climate damage, leading a growing number of countries to introduce bans.
Air source heat pumps are the main alternative.
The
International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, established in 1974, that provides policy recommendations, analysis and data on the global energy sector. The 31 member countries and 13 associatio ...
has said that new
gas boiler
Condensing boilers are water heaters typically used for heating systems that are fueled by gas or oil. When operated in the correct circumstances, a heating system can achieve high efficiency (greater than 90% on the higher heating value) by con ...
s (or gas
furnaces
Furnace may refer to:
Appliances Buildings
* Furnace (central heating): a furnace, or a heater or boiler, used to generate heat for buildings
* Boiler, used to heat water; also called a furnace in American English when used for heating and hot wat ...
) should be banned no later than 2025. Many installations and appliances have a life-span of 25 years, leading for calls that the bans must take place immediately, or at latest by 2025, because otherwise targets of net zero by 2050 cannot or are unlikely to be reached. However
fossil fuels lobbyists are resisting phase-out.
List of gas boiler bans
The following table lists different ban types in new or existing buildings.
Which countries are scrapping fossil fuel heaters?
(17 April 2023) European Heat Pump Association.
See also
*Fossil fuel phase-out
Fossil fuel phase-out is the proposed gradual global reduction of the use and production of fossil fuels to zero, to reduce air pollution, limit climate change, and strengthen energy independence. It is part of the ongoing renewable energy tra ...
*Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles
A phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles are proposed bans or discouragement (for example via taxes) on the sale of new fossil-fuel powered vehicles or use of existing fossil-fuel powered vehicles, as well the encouragement of using modal share, oth ...
* Plastic bans
*Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 ...
Notes
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Low-carbon economy
Fossil fuel phase-out