Scottish Government Revises Policy on Gas Boiler Replacement

Scottish Government Revises Policy on Gas Boiler Replacement

Scotland: The Scottish Government has reversed its plans to mandate homeowners to replace gas boilers as part of efforts to meet energy efficiency targets. Initially, under proposals led by former minister Patrick Harvie, privately rented properties were required to comply with new energy efficiency standards by 2028, with the rules extending to owner-occupied homes by 2033. All residential and commercial buildings were expected to phase out polluting heating systems by 2045. Additionally, those purchasing properties before 2045 would have been required to replace gas boilers within a set period, though the timeline was yet to be confirmed. While a ban on installing fossil fuel heating in newly built homes from April 2024 remains in place, a revision in January allowed for the installation of wood burners following public concerns. 

Under the revised policy, homeowners and businesses will not be legally required to replace boilers in existing buildings before the 2045 net zero target, and property sales will not trigger any mandatory changes. The Climate Change Committee had previously endorsed the original plan, suggesting it could serve as a model for decarbonising heating across the UK. 

Source: Scotsman