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Belgium to phase out use of oil boilers in homes

21:00 11/12/2017

Belgium is considering a ban from 2035 on the sale of oil boilers, which still account for a third of all heating in Belgian homes.

A new energy transition pact will be presented to the federal parliament this week, including measures to phase out nuclear energy, reduce emissions and encourage more energy-efficient consumption.

Burning fuel oil produces 25% more carbon dioxide than gas. But oil burners (chaudières à mazout) can still be found in many old homes, especially in rural areas where the gas distribution network is not as developed.

One heating engineer told RTBF: "The demand has evolved towards gas. We are replacing many more oil boilers for gas ones. People prefer it, it's cleaner and relatively cheap."