Heating our homes with natural gas can’t go on if we’re to lower carbon emissions from home heating and meet legally binding net zero targets; that’s where the hydrogen gas boiler comes in. Hydrogen heating is a low-carbon alternative to natural gas-fired heating that could be delivered to properties through the existing gas network.
IMPORTANT: It's not yet possible to buy or install a hydrogen-ready boiler. However, hydrogen boiler manufacturers such as Baxi and Worcester Bosch have developed working prototypes.
Even though it's not yet possible to install a hydrogen-ready boiler, you can still buy modern boilers that are compatible with a hydrogen blend so that you’re prepared for the future. If you're interested in replacing your old boiler with a new, more efficient model, we can help you.
Before buying a new boiler, it's beneficial to get quotes from multiple heating engineers so you can be confident you're getting the best price. Click the button below and we'll provide you with up to 3 free quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers near you.
A hydrogen boiler, also known as a ‘hydro boiler’, would work in a similar way to existing gas boilers. The key difference is that it could not only heat the home with natural gas but pure hydrogen too.
Hydrogen boilers would be installed in the same way as gas boilers and look very similar. They would be connected to the gas network, with fuel being delivered to the unit as and when heating and hot water is needed.
Many of the internal parts would be identical too. Only a handful of components, such as the flame detector and burner, would need to be replaced to suit hydrogen.
Should the gas network be converted to a 100% supply of hydrogen then Gas Safe registered engineers would be trained to install them. In the same way, they’re trained to install liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers as well as natural gas.
How does a hydrogen heating system work?
Hydrogen enters the boiler via the main gas supply, just as natural gas does in a gas-fired heating system.
Then it’s mixed with hydrogen from the air and burned through combustion. Flame control mechanisms are in place to prevent excessive gas flow, since hydrogen is highly flammable.
Combustion creates a hot flue gas which transfers heat energy to cold water via a heat exchanger. The now hot water can then travel via the home’s pipework to supply hot water on demand. Any waste gasses from combustion can escape through a flue pipe.
What is a hydrogen blend?
Hydrogen blend boilers use a hydrogen blend. A hydrogen blend is when hydrogen is added to the current gas supply. So it would be a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. The level of hydrogen in the gas supply would be no more than 20%. So that's 20:80 in favour of natural gas.
At this level, consumers’ energy usage and associated costs will remain the same, while still significantly reducing their emissions.
Hydrogen boiler costs: How much are they?
It isn’t yet possible to buy a hydrogen boiler in the UK, such as a hydrogen combi boiler, but all modern boilers are capable of working with a certain level of hydrogen. While a hydrogen-ready boiler in the UK might not be available to buy yet, some boiler manufacturers have been developing prototypes of hydrogen-ready boilers. This includes Baxi and Worcester Bosch who are also calling for all new boilers installed from 2025 to be hydrogen-ready
A hydrogen-ready boiler would be able to heat a home on natural gas. Then, should the switch to hydrogen be made it can continue to operate on 100% hydrogen after a short visit from a heating engineer.
We concluded most gas boilers won't work on 100% hydrogen, most will work on a hydrogen blend.
Hydrogen-ready boiler prices
The leading boiler manufacturers have come together to state that hydrogen boilers will cost no more than the equivalent gas boiler.
So you could be paying anywhere between £500 and £3,000 for a hydrogen boiler depending on the type of boiler, output rating and model.
While there are no 100% hydrogen-ready boilers on the market yet, you can get one that's certified to run on a hydrogen blend. Below we take a look at how much they cost before installation.
Hydrogen-ready combi boiler costs
Combi manufacturer
Cost
Baxi
£787 - £1,100
Ideal
£847 - £1,323
Viessmann
£1,095 - £1,700
Worcester
£1,200 - £2,297
Hydrogen-ready regular boiler costs
Regular manufacturer
Cost
Baxi
£787 - £986
Ideal
£732 - £2,796
Viessmann
£845 - £1,200
Worcester
£814 - £2,300
Hydrogen-ready system boiler costs
System manufacturer
Cost
Baxi
£877 - £1,011
Ideal
£785 - £1,258
Viessmann
£995 - £1,175
Worcester
£975 - £1,236
You can compare the boilers by these manufacturers using our Boiler Comparison Tool:
Hydrogen boilers aren’t being manufactured for installation yet. This is because the UK gas network doesn’t currently contain hydrogen.
There's plenty of talk about hydrogen replacing gas but no decisions have so far been made. Until the UK commits to switching from natural gas to hydrogen, hydrogen-ready boilers won't be available to buy.
However, most modern condensing boilers can run on a hydrogen blend. This is a mixture of 20% hydrogen with natural gas. Many boiler manufacturers are currently testing whether their boilers work with a hydrogen blend. And the following models have all been certified.
Are hydrogen boilers available to buy?
It isn't yet possible to buy a hydrogen boiler, but all modern boilers are capable of working with a certain level of hydrogen. While they might not be available to buy yet, some boiler manufacturers have been developing prototypes of hydrogen-ready boilers. This includes Baxi and Worcester Bosch who are also calling for all new boilers installed from 2025 to be hydrogen-ready.
A hydrogen-ready boiler would be able to heat a home on natural gas. Then, should the switch to hydrogen be made it can continue to operate on 100% hydrogen after a short visit from a heating engineer.
While current gas boilers won’t work on 100% hydrogen, most will work on a hydrogen blend.
What is a hydrogen blend?
A hydrogen blend is when hydrogen is added to the current gas supply. So it would be a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. The level of hydrogen in the gas supply would be no more than 20%. So that’s 20:80 in favour of natural gas.
Advantages of hydrogen boilers
Hydrogen holds many of the answers in the search for a low carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
Familiar heating systems
Converting the gas network to hydrogen would allow homeowners to continue heating their homes with the familiarity of a boiler. While, at the same time, lowering carbon emissions. The alternative would be to install a renewable heating system – an unfamiliar technology to most people.
Kinder on the environment than natural gas
When our boilers burn fossil fuels carbon is released into the atmosphere which is damaging our planet. When hydrogen is burned, it produces only water and heat with no carbon. Even if we were to use a combination of natural gas and hydrogen, we could significantly reduce carbon emissions.
No need to replace infrastructure
A hydrogen network could use the same pipelines, fittings and boilers as natural gas so there would be very little need to invest in changing the infrastructure. Even if the switch happened today, many boilers could stay in use and homeowners could avoid the costs involved in replacing a heating system.
Highly efficient fuel
Hydrogen contains a lot of energy. Just 1kg of hydrogen contains the same amount of energy as 2.8kg of gasoline.
If you’re interested in replacing your old boiler with a modern one that’s capable of functioning on a hydrogen blend, then our team at Boiler Guide can help you find that.
Click the button below and receive up to 3 free, no-obligation quotes from our network of trusted heating engineers.
For all of hydrogen’s benefits there are several challenges that must be overcome before switching to a hydrogen network is likely to be possible.
Hydrogen production is expensive (at the moment)
One of the main barriers to the widespread uptake of hydrogen-ready boilers in the UKis overall hydrogen-ready boiler cost. Producing hydrogen in large enough quantities to meet demand is not cheap at the moment. Hydrogen can be produced either by electrolysis, i.e. using electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, or by Steam Methane Reforming (SMR).
Hydrogen production can emit carbon if not captured
Although hydrogen won’t emit carbon when used by a boiler, producing hydrogen can emit carbon. To tackle this issue low-carbon production methods need to be developed. For example, electrolysis would need to be powered by renewable electricity from wind or solar farms rather than electricity produced by burning fossil fuels.
SMR involves heating methane in natural gas with steam and a catalyst, but this produces carbon as well as hydrogen. To make this method low-carbon, Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) systems need to be used to prevent the carbon from escaping into the atmosphere.
The earliest possible date for hydrogen to be added to the gas network in the UK is 2026 - find out more by looking at the Hydrogen Timeline.
The government is aiming for around 20-35% of UK energy consumption to be hydrogen by 2050. However, no decision has yet been made on whether hydrogen will be used for home heating.
The government is working with the heating industry to research and trial hydrogen as a heating fuel as well as possible hydrogen production methods. These projects include:
HyDeploy
The HyDeploy project, taking place at at Keele University, Staffordshire, is testing the viability of using a 20:80 blend of hydrogen to natural gas in the national grid.
With a 20:80 blend, no changes would be needed to the majority of boilers in the UK, or to the installation process. The current aim is to phase in a 20:80 blend of hydrogen to natural gas by 2025.
Interestingly, condensing gas boilers manufactured after 1996 can run on gas that contains up to 23% hydrogen. This means that as long as you have a modern gas boiler you should be ready for the first phase of the hydrogen network.
The initial HyDeploy trial occurred at Keele University, with a blended gas supplied to their campus site from November 2019 to March 2021. Another trial took place in Winlaton, near Gateshead, from August 2021 for ten months.
The next phase involves gathering evidence for industrial blended hydrogen supply to complete safety requirements, which would help gain UK Government approval for hydrogen blending across the gas distribution network.
Hy4Heat
The Hy4Heat project is researching and testing the possibility of a 100% hydrogen network.
In 2020 the project was having very positive results. Appliances used in a hydrogen network would be very similar to natural gas but safety is a main focus of the project. Using natural gas can be unsafe without the right measures in place, and the same will be true of hydrogen. It is a different type of gas, so installers will need training to ensure they can work with hydrogen safely.
Their final report puts a safety assessment and appliance and meter development plan into great detail.
Hydrogen Supply Programme
There are projects around the world trying to find an efficient way to produce low-carbon hydrogen. The UK government has invested £20m in the Hydrogen Supply Programme to investigate how viable a hydrogen network would be.
If your old boiler isn't working like it used to, it's probably worth upgrading to a more efficient model. Finding and comparing different boilers and installers can be overwhelming. It can take some time to learn all about their qualifications, customer satisfaction rate, and if they can offer you a fair price. But don't worry - our team at Boiler Guide can make this process simple for you.
Click the button below and you'll receive up to 3 free, no-obligation quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers in our network. You can compare each offer and choose the best deal for you.
It’s not yet known how much hydrogen boilers would cost. However, leading boiler manufacturers Baxi, Ideal, Vaillant and Worcester Bosch have promised that they will cost no more than the equivalent gas boiler.
Therefore, a hydrogen-ready boiler costs somewhere between £500 to £3,000 before installation.
Boiler prices vary depending on the manufacturer, model and type of boiler. Boiler types include hydrogen-ready combi boilers (the most popular), regular boilers and system boilers. Your existing heating system, property type and demand for heating and hot water will dictate the most suitable boiler for your home.
Hydrogen-ready boiler costs
Type of Boiler
Average cost of boiler excluding installation
Approximate total cost of boiler fully installed
Combi
£500 – £2,000
£1,000 – £3,000
System
£500 – £2,500
£1,000 – £3,500
Conventional
£500 – £2,750
£1,000 – £3,750
Our guide to new boiler costs gives a well-rounded idea of how much you’ll end up paying for a new boiler.
Make your home heating more efficient today
Hydrogen boilers aren’t yet ready to be installed in homes, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to make your home more efficient. Modern condensing gas boilers are highly efficient and can make your home more comfortable. Not only that, but you’ll also be reducing your carbon emissions and potentially your heating bills too.
Alternatively, you could turn to a low-carbon heating system such as a heat pump, solar thermal or biomass boiler. These heating systems are all powered by renewable energy sources and don’t release carbon into the atmosphere.
You can get free quotes for the installation of a new heating system right here on Boiler Guide. Simply complete our online boiler quotes form and we’ll match you with installers based in your area. Each will provide you with a free quote for you to compare so you can be confident you’re getting the most competitive price around.
Hydrogen is more expensive to produce and distribute than gas, therefore a hydrogen boiler will likely cost far more to run than a gas-fuelled boiler.
Can gas boilers work with hydrogen?
Almost all new gas boilers being produced today can run on a ‘hydrogen blend’. Hydrogen makes up 20% of the fuel that runs a hydrogen blend boiler, and natural gas makes up the remaining 80%.
How long does a hydrogen boiler last?
Hydrogen boilers are expected to be able to run as long as traditional gas-fired boilers, which is between 10-15 years. While they remain in testing and production phases, it’s not yet clear exactly how long they will last once they become available.
About the author
Nick Geary
Nick has a wide range of experience writing about conventional and renewable heating solutions, and is always increasing his knowledge by researching any new heating technologies on the horizon.
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A hydrogen boiler, also known as a ‘hydro boiler’, would work in a similar way to existing gas boilers. The key difference is that it could not only heat the home with natural gas but pure hydrogen too.
