Are gas boilers really facing their last days?

In a bold move signalling a potential turning point in our approach to sustainable building, New York State recently announced that no new gas boilers will be allowed in new residential buildings starting January 2026. While this may seem like an isolated decision, it is part of a much larger global conversation about the future of fossil fuel-based heating systems. Across the world, legislators, environmental advocates and industry stakeholders are facing the challenge of transitioning away from gas boilers - a technology that, despite its longstanding presence in our homes, is increasingly seen as incompatible with our urgent climate goals, writes John Ridgeway.

Yet, as promising as these initiatives may sound, there is a great deal of legislative hesitation and bureaucratic inertia at play. In New York, for instance, the law mandating all-electric new builds is clear, but its implementation has been slowed by delays in updating the statewide building code. The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, which is responsible for incorporating new regulations into construction standards, has faced scheduling setbacks and administrative hurdles, leaving many municipalities in a state of limbo. This slow pace is hardly unique to New York. Around the globe, governments are finding it difficult to muster the political will and overcome industry pressures to decisively phase out gas boilers.

New York’s decision to ban gas boilers is a direct response to the pressing need to cut carbon emissions and promote cleaner, renewable energy sources. However, the new law has not yet fully permeated through local jurisdictions, as municipalities await the revised building code expected to be finalised soon. This delay is emblematic of a broader reluctance among legislators to commit fully to the transition, partly due to the influence of powerful fossil fuel lobbies and the fear of upsetting established industry practices.

In New York, as in many parts of the world, the push for electrification has encountered significant resistance from sectors that depend on gas boilers. Propane and heating oil suppliers, as well as some construction and building trades unions, have mounted legal challenges against the mandate, arguing that the rapid shift could inflate housing costs and disrupt current projects. Their concerns are not unfounded - building codes and construction practices are deeply entrenched and any significant change requires not only new regulations, but also a retooling of the entire industry. While studies have shown that all-electric homes can be cheaper to build in the long run, the transition period is fraught with uncertainty and financial risk for many developers.

Global trends

New York is not alone in its ambition to phase out gas boilers. Across Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and even parts of Asia, governments are wrestling with similar challenges. The United Kingdom, for example, has been actively discussing the possibility of banning gas boilers in new builds as part of its broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Although no nationwide ban has been implemented yet, various local authorities have begun to experiment with all-electric building mandates. In some European countries, such as Germany and Sweden, the focus on renewable energy has spurred significant investment in electric heating technologies like heat pumps and geothermal systems, which promise a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional gas boilers.

In contrast, many developing countries also remain heavily reliant on gas for heating due to cost considerations and a lack of infrastructure to support alternative technologies. In these regions, gas boilers continue to be a mainstay of residential and commercial heating, with little sign of a rapid phase-out. The global picture is, therefore, a mosaic of progress and hesitation. On one hand, there is a clear trend toward electrification driven by climate targets and technological advances - on the other, there remains a significant inertia in regulatory systems and industry practices that slows down the pace of change.

At the heart of the debate over gas boilers lies a complex interplay of environmental, economic, and political factors. Legislators face enormous pressure to act decisively in the face of climate change, yet the process of updating building codes and energy policies is inherently slow and mired in bureaucracy. In many jurisdictions, legislative bodies struggle to balance short-term economic interests against long-term environmental goals. This tension is often exacerbated by lobbying from established industries that benefit from the status quo.

In New York, for example, while climate advocates and forward-thinking developers push for a swift transition to electric heating, traditional energy suppliers and conservative political factions caution against hasty reforms that could disrupt the market and burden consumers with higher upfront costs.

Moreover, the challenge of updating technical standards cannot be understated. Building codes are complex documents that must account for a wide range of variables - from safety and energy efficiency to regional climate conditions and construction practices. Integrating new mandates, such as the all-electric requirement for new homes, into these codes is a painstaking process that involves multiple rounds of public consultation, expert review and legal scrutiny.

As seen in New York, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council has struggled to finalise the updated rules, with meetings postponed and drafts delayed. Such procedural delays only add to the uncertainty, undermining confidence in the legislative process and giving industry detractors further ammunition to argue that the transition is being mishandled.

The industry response

One of the most significant factors slowing the phase-out of gas boilers is the robust lobbying efforts by industries that stand to lose from a rapid shift to electric heating. Trade groups representing heating oil, natural gas and propane suppliers have been active in lobbying against stringent electrification mandates. These organisations argue that a sudden ban on gas boilers would not only increase construction costs, but also disrupt existing markets, potentially leading to job losses and economic instability. Their influence is felt in many legislative bodies, where the balance of power often tips in favour of maintaining current practices.

For instance, in New York, groups such as the New York State Energy Coalition and the Clean Fuels Alliance America have been vocal opponents of the all-electric mandate. Although some industry representatives acknowledge the need for gradual electrification and support measures for existing buildings, they are less enthusiastic about sweeping changes in new construction. Their lobbying efforts have contributed to the delays in updating the building code, as regulators attempt to navigate the competing interests of environmental advocates and industry stakeholders.

Litigation is another tool in the industry’s arsenal. Several lawsuits have been filed by building trades unions and industry groups challenging the legality of the all-electric mandate, arguing that it imposes undue financial burdens on developers and homeowners. While some of these legal challenges have been met with success - such as the recent block of a gas ban in Berkeley, California - the overall trend suggests that while legal hurdles may slow the process, they are unlikely to halt the transition indefinitely. Instead, what we see is a pattern of incremental change, where each legislative victory is hard-won and comes after prolonged periods of negotiation and compromise.

To better understand the global trajectory of gas boiler phase-outs, it is instructive to look at examples from other parts of the world. In Denmark, for instance, the government has set ambitious targets to eliminate fossil fuel-based heating systems in new builds by 2030. Danish policymakers have invested heavily in promoting heat pump technology and other renewable alternatives and the results are already evident. New homes in Denmark increasingly rely on electric and geothermal systems, and the country’s comprehensive approach to building codes has helped to smooth the transition. However, even in Denmark, the process has not been without its challenges - industry resistance and the need for extensive retraining of the workforce have necessitated careful planning and phased implementation.

In the United Kingdom, the debate over gas boilers has been equally contentious. While there is broad political support for reducing carbon emissions, the government has been cautious about imposing an outright ban on gas boilers in new builds. Instead, policy discussions have focused on incentivising the adoption of renewable heating technologies through grants, tax breaks and regulatory reforms. Critics argue that without a firm deadline, the transition will be too slow to meet the UK’s climate targets. Yet, the government maintains that a gradual approach is necessary to avoid market disruption and ensure that alternative technologies are sufficiently reliable and cost-effective.

Across continental Europe, countries like Germany and Sweden are taking a more aggressive stance. Germany, in particular, has implemented strict energy efficiency standards that indirectly force developers to consider all-electric systems. While gas boilers are still in use, there is a clear trend toward electrification in both new and retrofitted buildings. Sweden, with its strong commitment to renewable energy, has largely shifted away from gas-powered heating, favouring district heating networks and electric heat pumps. These examples illustrate that while the path to a gas-free future may vary by region, the underlying momentum toward cleaner, more sustainable heating is undeniable.

The future of gas boilers

The question remains - will gas boilers eventually be phased out completely? The answer, it appears, is yes - albeit gradually and unevenly across different regions. Global climate commitments and the accelerating pace of renewable energy technology are steadily eroding the dominance of fossil fuel-based heating systems. However, the transition is likely to be neither swift nor uniform. Legislative bodies around the world are caught in a complex web of competing interests and while the long-term trend is clear, the short-term future is mired in uncertainty.

The inertia of existing infrastructure and the political power of entrenched industry players mean that, for the time being, gas boilers will continue to be a fixture in many parts of the world. Yet, each legislative step toward electrification, whether it is the adoption of stricter building codes or the implementation of financial incentives for renewable technologies, chips away at the status quo. The case of New York, with its ambitious, but delayed all-electric mandate, is just one example of how the transition is unfolding. It serves as both a beacon of what is possible and a cautionary tale of the challenges that lie ahead.

For homeowners and developers, this transitional period is one of both opportunity and risk. On one hand, the gradual phase-out of gas boilers presents a chance to invest in cutting-edge, sustainable heating technologies that can lower long-term costs and reduce carbon footprints. On the other hand, the uncertainty and legal wrangling surrounding new regulations can lead to delays, increased costs and a maze of bureaucratic hurdles that must be navigated carefully.

Given the complexities involved, what can be done to facilitate a smoother transition away from gas boilers? The answer lies in a multi-pronged approach that addresses both legislative and market challenges. First and foremost, there must be a concerted effort to update building codes and regulatory frameworks in a timely manner. Governments need to overcome bureaucratic inertia by streamlining the process for incorporating new standards -ideally with clear deadlines and robust stakeholder engagement. As seen in New York, delays in updating the building code not only breed uncertainty, but also undermine the credibility of ambitious environmental policies.

Secondly, policymakers must engage in genuine dialogue with industry stakeholders. While the fossil fuel lobby is a powerful force, it is not insurmountable. By offering clear pathways for transition - such as financial incentives, retraining programmes and technical support for retrofitting existing buildings - governments can help mitigate the economic impact of phasing out gas boilers. Such measures not only ease the burden on industries but also create a more favourable environment for the adoption of renewable heating technologies.

Finally, technological innovation must be embraced. The pace of advancements in electric heating technologies - such as heat pumps, geothermal systems and smart energy management solutions - is rapid and promising. These technologies not only offer cleaner alternatives to gas boilers but also improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs. Investment in research and development is essential to drive down costs and make these solutions more accessible to a broader market. As renewable energy sources become more efficient and widespread, the economic rationale for maintaining gas boiler systems will weaken, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

For developers, homeowners and policymakers alike, the message is clear - the time for half-measures is over. Whether through updated regulations, industry cooperation, or public advocacy, every step taken toward eliminating gas boilers is a step toward a healthier, more sustainable future. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the destination - a world powered by clean, renewable energy - is well worth the journey.

In the end, the debate over gas boilers is about more than just technology; it’s about setting the right priorities for our future. As we grapple with the pressing realities of climate change, the choices we make today will determine the quality of life for generations to come. It is incumbent upon our legislators to rise above short-term concerns and act decisively for the long-term benefit of our communities and our planet.

The gradual, and perhaps inevitable, phase-out of gas boilers will not only redefine how we heat our homes but will also signal a broader shift toward sustainable living—a shift that, despite its challenges, holds the promise of a cleaner, brighter future for all.