Installing a Hydrogen Boiler Cost

This article will explore the costs involved in installing a hydrogen boiler, a low-carbon alternative to conventional gas boilers. As the UK transitions towards greener energy solutions, hydrogen boilers are gaining traction as a potential replacement in domestic heating systems.

While not yet mainstream, these boilers represent a step towards futureproofing homes in line with sustainability goals.

So, let's get started!

How Much is a Hydrogen Boiler?

Hydrogen boilers are currently at the higher end of the domestic boiler cost scale, and the costs can vary between different models and suppliers.

As a guide, you can realistically expect to pay around £700 - £3200 for the supply of the boiler only (without installation). The average cost of getting a hydrogen boiler installed (supply and fit) usually lands between £2000 and £5000.

The price can depend on the level of work required, the make and model of the boiler, and the difficulty of the job. In some cases, your home may require upgrades in order for it to become hydrogen-ready, and this will result in some additional costs.

Hydrogen Boiler Prices

Large boiler manufacturers in the UK have committed to ensuring that their prices for hydrogen-ready boilers will remain similar to or lower than the cost of gas-fuelled conventional boilers.

As hydrogen boilers are currently still in the prototype stage, the specific boiler installation costs remain uncertain. The exact costs of this type of installation will become clearer once hydrogen boilers are more commercially available.

At the moment, since they are new to the market, hydrogen boilers come at a higher price point than many other boiler types. However, with manufacturers' promises of similar or lower price points compared to conventional boilers, it seems that these higher price points may not last.

Below is a list of the typical prices that you can expect to pay for a hydrogen boiler, depending on the boiler type:

The above costs are estimates and may vary depending on the type, model and manufacturer of the boiler, as well as the complexity of the job at hand.

How Hydrogen Boilers Work

Hydrogen boilers work pretty much like any other gas boiler you've seen before, except for one key difference: what they use for fuel. Rather than running on natural gas, they run on hydrogen. When you burn hydrogen in the boiler's combustion chamber, it combines with oxygen to produce heat and water vapour, which is zero carbon emissions, as it goes.

The basic idea is pretty simple: you feed hydrogen into the boiler, where it gets lit and burns to make heat. That heat is then passed on to water, giving you hot water to run your central heating and taps. Just like with any other boiler, the hot water is circulated through radiators or stored in a tank.

Some of the big boiler makers are now producing hydrogen-ready boilers. These systems can run on natural gas now, but can easily be converted to operate on 100% hydrogen in the future. So, if you're a homeowner, you can get a boiler that's ready for the future - even while the UK's hydrogen network is still being built and expanded.

Supply Costs for Hydrogen Boilers

To run your heating on hydrogen, you will need to have a hydrogen-ready boiler unit, which is still relatively new to the market, resulting in higher supply prices.

When you are budgeting for fitting a hydrogen boiler, you may need to consider some additional supply costs as well as the boiler unit itself.

Take a look at the list below for some examples of supplies that you may need to budget for:

• Hydrogen-ready boiler unit – This usually costs £700 - £3200.
• Compatible pipework or updated controls (if needed) – You can usually expect to pay £150 - £400 for these.
• Hydrogen detectors or extra safety kit (if recommended or required) – You can usually expect to pay £100 - £300 for these.
• Upgraded thermostatic controls / smart systems – These are great for added efficiency and will usually cost around £100 - £400.

If you choose to buy your hydrogen boiler early while production is still small, you can expect to pay higher prices. As the production increases, it is expected that you will pay prices that are more closely aligned with existing gas boiler prices.

Additional Costs of Installing a Hydrogen Boiler

In addition to the supply costs and the installation costs, there are some other costs that you may need to factor into your budget.

Below is a list of the additional costs that may come up when getting a hydrogen boiler installed:

• System conversion/pipework adjustments – This will usually cost around £400 - £1500+. The costs here can vary greatly depending on your property.
• Old boiler removal and disposal – Depending on the type of boiler and the complexity of the job, this will usually cost around £150 - £500.
• Flue upgrades or added ventilation – This will usually cost around £150 - £500.
• Smart heating controls – This will usually cost £100 - £400.
• Safety checks and Gas Safe sign-off – This will usually cost around £100 - £300.

These costs will depend on whether your property needs any adaptations in order to be hydrogen-ready, and whether any extra building work is necessary. It’s best to include these costs in your budget and request itemised quotes so that you can compare the price and scope of the job.

Running Costs of a Hydrogen Boiler

Since hydrogen is not yet widely supplied to households, the running costs for hydrogen boilers are currently speculative. The industry suggests that hydrogen fuel could initially be more expensive per kWh than natural gas.

It is estimated that hydrogen fuel costs in the short term could be roughly two to three times the equivalent natural gas price per unit, although the efficiency of the boiler remains similar to a gas boiler, so the heat output per kWh is comparable.

In the earlier years of the rollout, it is expected that hydrogen fuel costs could be around £0.15 - £0.20 per kwh in the earlier years of rollout. However, it is expected that these costs will decrease as hydrogen as a fuel source becomes more widely available.

There are some factors that could affect the running costs. Firstly, the production method can make a difference. Green hydrogen from electrolysis tends to be costlier than blue hydrogen.

Government subsidies, tariffs and policy will all make a difference also. Support in these areas could lower consumer prices. Supplier pricing structures for hydrogen once it is on the grid will also affect the costs moving forward.

The Benefits of Hydrogen Boilers

Switching to a hydrogen boiler is a no-brainer, especially when you compare it to traditional natural gas boilers. One of the biggest advantages is the massive drop in carbon emissions. These devices produce only water and heat when running, which means you can reduce your home's carbon footprint and contribute to the UK's efforts to tackle climate change.

Hydrogen-ready boilers are built to be efficient - some of them are really, really good at what they do. You can count on a reliable supply of heat and hot water, and you might even see your energy bills come down a bit. And there's another thing to consider: hydrogen boilers can run on hydrogen produced from renewable sources, making them an even greener choice.

If you're in the market for a new gas boiler, you'll find that hydrogen-ready models make for a pretty smooth upgrade. They work with the vast majority of existing heating systems and radiators, so you won't have to rip out your entire setup.

With the UK government behind the push to get households using low-carbon heating and the tech expected to become more widely available and more affordable in the not too distant future, now's a great time to make the switch to a hydrogen boiler - it's a smart investment that will help you cut your environmental impact and stay on the right side of the regulations.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The labour costs can make up a significant portion of the total installation costs. A Gas-Registered engineer will usually charge around £200 - £300 per day.

The total labour costs that you can expect to pay for a straight swap (supply and fit with minor pipework) are around £600 - £1500. However, this can vary, depending on the complexity of the job, as some properties may be more difficult than others.

For more complex installations where things like ventilation work and flue changes may be applicable, you can expect to pay more. This can increase the costs to £2000+.

Installation will typically take around 1 - 3 days to complete, depending on access and the extent of the system changes that are needed.

Hydrogen installations may require engineers with specific training. Early specialist contractors may charge a premium for their services. When choosing an engineer, always make sure to confirm their Gas Safe registration and their experience with hydrogen installations.

Cost Factors for Hydrogen Boilers

If you are considering investing in a hydrogen boiler, there are certain cost factors that you may need to consider. These variables can influence the total amount that you will spend on the investment.

Take a look at the list below and keep these in mind when budgeting for your hydrogen boiler:

• New build vs retrofit (retrofit typically costs more)
• Local labour rates and engineer experience
• Whether the area is hydrogen-trialled (this will affect availability and support)
• Access and additional ventilation or flue works
• Your chosen brand/model (warranties, capacity, and features can all affect cost)

It’s a good idea to get at least two or three itemised quotes from engineers and check what each includes (supply, labour, removal, commissioning, warranty).

Government Grants and Schemes

The current major UK grant schemes, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, predominantly support heat pumps rather than hydrogen boilers. However, this may change in the future as hydrogen boilers become more common and widespread throughout the UK.

The government has been running trials and pilot projects (including HyDeploy blends and the H100 Fife trial), and a policy decision on the wider role of hydrogen in heating was originally scheduled for 2026. However, this has been an area of extensive debate within the sector and has changed since the original 2026 date was set.

Over the coming months, the government plans to assess the latest evidence before consulting on the role of hydrogen in home heating.

Some pilot participants have received free or subsidised equipment as part of trials, but there is not yet a universal grant scheme for hydrogen boilers. If you are interested in future schemes, make sure to monitor local council announcements and hydrogen trial programmes for possible local support if you participate in trials.

Building Regulations Related to Hydrogen Boilers

Hydrogen boilers will be subject to certain existing building and safety regulations where applicable. The specific building regulations associated with hydrogen boilers will become more apparent when they are more widespread.

Installers must be Gas Safe Registered and compliant with any conditions set by gas network operators during trials. Pilots and future rollouts may include additional regulatory steps. It’s always best to ask your installer whether building control notification is needed for your job.

Types of Hydrogen Boilers

Hydrogen-Ready Boilers

How it works: Installed now, runs on natural gas today but is designed to be converted to hydrogen or run on low-blend hydrogen in the future.

Pros:

• ✔ Futureproofing with minimal disruption today
• ✔ Often priced similarly to modern gas boilers

Cons:

• ✖ Not xero-carbon until hydrogen supply is available

Typical price (installed): £2000 - £3500

100% Hydrogen Boilers

How it works: Designed to run entirely on hydrogen fuel. Currently, there is limited availability in the UK beyond trials.

Pros:

• ✔ Zero direct CO2 at the point of use

Cons:

• ✖ Higher upfront cost and limited practical use until hydrogen networks are available

Typical price (supply): £3000+

Hybrid Hydrogen Systems

How it works: Combines a hydrogen-capable boiler with low-carbon technologies (e.g. a heat pump).

Pros:

• ✔ Flexibility and potential running cost optimisation

Cons:

• ✖ Higher installation complexity and cost

Typical price (installed): £4000 - £8000

Hydrogen Infrastructure and Availability

Hydrogen is not yet available to most UK households. Earlier blended-hydrogen trials (HyDeploy) tested lower hydrogen blends in parts of Gateshead and other sites. Larger demonstration projects, such as H100 Fife, are running or being commissioned to test 100% hydrogen networks for a small number of homes.

The government paused or postponed some broader town pilots and planned to make a decision on hydrogen’s role in heat in 2026, so nationwide availability is not expected until later in the decade.

Before investing in a hydrogen boiler, check whether:

• Your area is part of a hydrogen trial
• Your system is fully hydrogen-ready
• Hydrogen boilers are mainly future-proofed installations at this stage.

Alternative Types of Hydrogen Heating

If hydrogen is unavailable in your area or if you would prefer other low-carbon options, there are several different boiler systems that you could consider. Take a look at the list below for the best alternatives:

• Electric Boilers – These are simple to install and have no flue. The installation is quick and not very disruptive, but they often have higher running costs for whole-home heating.
• Heat Pumps – These are highly efficient. They don't emit carbon directly when running, but they have high installation costs and may need property upgrades.
• Biomass Boilers – These are suitable for rural homes and run on renewable fuel. The only con here is that there is bulk fuel storage and ongoing maintenance required.
• Solar Thermal Systems – These are good for hot water supplementation and have low running costs. However, they are weather-dependent and need a backup.

Each of the above options has different implications for price, running costs and practicality. Weigh the pros and cons here against the hydrogen route for your property and budget.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Hydrogen Boiler Installation

Before you go ahead and hire a tradesperson to fit, install, replace or remove a boiler, you will need to consider some things:

• Are they Gas Safe Registered?
• Have they installed hydrogen-ready boilers before? As for references
• Can they provide detailed quotes including supply, labour, and additional costs?
• Will they handle system upgrades or arrange subcontractors?
• Is ongoing maintenance or a service plan included?
• Do they state warranty terms and who provides aftercare for hydrogen-specific components?

Always make sure to get multiple quotes, check online reviews, and trade accreditation.

Removing Existing Boiler: Considerations and Costs

Removing an existing old boiler to install a hydrogen-capable unit usually involves the following:

• Removal and disposal – This will usually cost around £100 - £400
• Minor pipe or wall repairs after removal - Depending on the extent of the repairs, this could cost around £50 - £250
• Extra access costs – This may apply in lofts or tight spaces and could add around £50 - £200 onto the cost of the job.

If the existing system is old, you may need to replace valves, controls, or sections of the pipework. This will increase the overall cost of the job and the time required to complete it. If you’re hiring a professional to remove your existing boiler, make sure to obtain an itemised quote so that you know exactly what you are paying for and how much it will cost in total.

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