The UK is on a journey to switch to lower carbon and carbon-free fuels for home heating. That means less natural gas, which emits carbon dioxide, and more hydrogen, which produces only water when burned.
For a greener, more environmentally friendly future
From 2025, new build homes will embrace renewable heating technologies, to help the UK reach its net zero target by 2050. Whilst gas boilers are not being banned any time soon, the UK is well on its way to adopting greener, more environmentally friendly home heating.
What is hydrogen?
Hydrogen is a clean burning fuel which, instead of producing carbon dioxide like natural gas does, emits only water.
There are several ways to harvest hydrogen, which include via solar and biological methods, and it’s an extremely efficient fuel type. Every 1kg of hydrogen holds the same amount of energy as 2.8kg, meaning less fuel for more heating.
It could also be delivered to homes through the existing gas network.
What is a hydrogen-blend ready boiler?
All Worcester Bosch boilers are already hydrogen-blend ready. That means they can run on a blend of 80% natural gas and 20% hydrogen, ready should the government begin to add hydrogen to the UK gas grid.
Benefits of hydrogen blend ready boilers
Clean
Hydrogen is an environmentally friendly fuel that produces no harmful by-products when burned, only water.
Renewable
Hydrogen is a renewable energy source, meaning that we can continue producing more without ever running out.
Efficient
Hydrogen is energy-dense and can produce far more power than the equivalent fossil fuel, meaning less needs to be used.
How does a hydrogen-blend ready boiler work?
The way your boiler works, whether it’s running on natural gas or hydrogen-blend, is almost exactly the same.
There are some behind-the-scenes differences that an engineer would need to tweak to make your boiler hydrogen-blend ready, but you won’t notice any changes in your daily comfort.
What’s the difference between hydrogen-blend and 100% hydrogen boilers?
Hydrogen-blend is a mix of natural gas and hydrogen. This is what the government is trialing with a long term view of introducing into the UK gas grid, and what all our boilers are already able to run on. These cannot be converted to a 100% hydrogen boiler.
100% hydrogen boilers are specifically designed to be able to run on pure hydrogen, with no blending of fuels. These boilers can also run on pure natural gas.
Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management
“We have been involved in multiple trials with hydrogen gas including one at Keele University, where 150 boilers have been running up to a 20% hydrogen blend for around 18 months. This is nearing completion and we confidently move onto the larger trial of 670 homes in Gateshead.
The fact that Worcester’s boilers can already accept a blend of up to 20% is further evidence why injecting green gases such as bio-methane and hydrogen into the UK gas grid would be a positive step towards the wider implementation of these new, carbon-free fuels. So, it is increasingly positive to see the government publicly advocating for this.”
Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management
Find a local installer
Each heating system needs custom designing. Find and contact a Worcester Accredited Installer in your area to book a home visit and get a free quote.
Find the right boiler for you
Our Find a New Boiler tool is the easiest way to find and compare Worcester products suitable for your home heating requirements and only takes a few minutes.
Find your perfect new boiler