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 and climate damage, leading a growing number of countries to introduce bans. Air source heat pumps are the main alternative.[1]
The International Energy Agency has said that new gas boilers (or gas furnaces) should be banned no later than 2025.[2] 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.[3] However fossil fuels lobbyists are resisting phase-out.[4]