Are gas boilers being banned? What it really means for homes in Basingstoke and Alton

No, you can still replace your gas boiler with a new one. Here’s what has actually changed, what hasn’t, and what it means if your boiler is getting old – checked against the government’s own documents in October 2026.

The short answer: no. If you live in an existing home in Basingstoke, Alton or anywhere else in England, there is no law stopping you from replacing your gas boiler with a new gas boiler. It’s one of the questions we get asked most, so here’s what has actually changed – and what hasn’t.

Where did the “gas boiler ban” idea come from?

For years, successive governments talked about phasing out new gas boilers from around 2035. It was widely reported as a “ban”, but it was only ever a target – it was never made law. In 2026, newspapers reported that the government had dropped the idea of stopping gas boiler replacements in existing homes.

The government’s Warm Homes Plan, published in spring 2026, doesn’t set any ban or end date for gas boilers in existing homes. Instead, it says it wants heat pumps to become “the desirable and natural choice for households replacing an existing heating system at the end of its life” – in other words, the aim is to make heat pumps more attractive, not to force people off gas.

What has changed: new-build homes

The real change is for brand-new homes. Under the Future Homes Standard, new building regulations come into force in England on 24 March 2027, with a transition period for developments already under way. The government’s own response says that boilers are “unlikely to be present in new buildings” under the new rules – so new homes will almost always come with a heat pump or a heat network instead.

If you live in an existing house, this doesn’t affect you. It applies to homes being built, not homes already standing.

So can I still replace my gas boiler?

Yes. A like-for-like replacement – an old gas boiler swapped for a new, efficient gas boiler – is completely legal, and we fit them every week. A modern boiler, correctly sized for your home and properly installed, comes with a manufacturer’s warranty – 5 years on our most economical boiler and at least 10 years on our premium range.

Why are new boilers getting more expensive?

You may have noticed boiler prices creeping up. One reason is a government scheme called the Clean Heat Market Mechanism, sometimes called the “boiler tax”. It sets heat pump sales targets for boiler manufacturers, and those that fall short face charges – which can end up in the price of a new boiler. It isn’t a tax on you directly, but it’s part of the push towards heat pumps.

Should I switch to a heat pump instead?

Maybe – it depends on your home. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump in England and Wales (with an extra £1,500 for homes off the gas grid until March 2027). Hybrid systems that pair a heat pump with a gas boiler don’t qualify.

A heat pump can work very well in a well-insulated home with suitable radiators. In some older or draughtier homes it may need extra work to perform at its best. The honest answer is that it varies from house to house – which is exactly why we always survey first.

Will gas bills go up to push people off gas?

This is still being debated. The Warm Homes Plan says the way some costs are split between electricity and gas bills has made clean heating less competitive, and that the government wants to bring down costs on electricity bills. Nothing has been confirmed that would suddenly make gas unaffordable, so we wouldn’t rip out a good boiler because of headlines.

Our advice if your boiler is getting old

• Don’t panic-buy. There’s no deadline forcing you to replace a working boiler.
• Keep it serviced. A yearly service keeps it safe, efficient and under warranty – and helps you plan instead of waiting for a breakdown.
• Plan ahead. If your boiler is old or breaking down regularly, get a free survey so you can compare a new gas boiler with a heat pump, with real prices for your home.
• Ask questions. We’ll give you our honest view of both – and the choice is always yours.

New gas boilers from us start from £2,500 inc VAT, and most boiler swaps come to between £3,500 and £5,000. See our new boilers or book a boiler service.

Need a hand?

Call or WhatsApp us on 01256 436 001 – a real person will help.

Call 01256 436 001 WhatsApp us