Replacing the central heating boiler is not the first step towards a gas-free home. A step-by-step plan to get your house off gas begins with checking and improving the insulation of the roof, walls, windows, and floor. Also pay attention to…

Replacing the central heating boiler is not the first step towards a gas-free home. A step-by-step plan to get your house off gas begins with checking and improving the insulation of the roof, walls, windows, and floor. Also pay attention to gaps: these can make it more difficult to comfortably heat your home with a low-temperature system. Next, choose a solution that suits your home, such as a heat pump, a district heating network, or infrared heating. Replacing the central heating boiler is usually the final step.

It is only natural that you first want to know whether your home will remain comfortably warm and what will happen to the gas connection. In this article, you will read how to assess the insulation, what gas-free heating options are available, and when you can have the connection removed or sealed. You will also discover why existing radiators do not always need to be replaced. This provides you with a practical overview of the steps towards a warm home without natural gas, with a focus on comfort and a pleasant indoor climate.

Heat pumps, district heating networks, solar water heaters and infrared heating

Compare heating solutions for your home and also determine how you manage your hot water. With a heat pump, insulation, power consumption, and the location of the outdoor unit play a role. Keep in mind that the unit can produce noise.

1. Assess whether a heat pump is suitable for your home

2. View options for hot water

   Map out how much hot water you use, for example for showering and washing dishes. A solar water heater can supply hot water as a supplement to your heating system. A shower with heat recovery can also help: it uses heat from discharged shower water to preheat cold water. Compare these options with the heating itself, because a heat pump may require an electric boiler for hot water.

3. Check subsidies and heat plans

   Check if the ISDE aligns with your plans for a new heat pump or insulation. According to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Dutch homeowners can apply for a subsidy via the ISDE for, among other things, a new heat pump and floor and window insulation. Also consult your municipality's heat plan. The planned heat supply per neighborhood can influence the choice between a heat pump and connection to a district heating network.

4. Compare a district heating network with infrared heating

   Find out if a district heating network is coming to your neighborhood. If you connect to a district heating network, you do not need your own heat pump, but the temperature of the network can determine whether your radiators are suitable. If no district heating network, green gas, or collective heat pump is planned, a fully electric heat pump may be an option. Infrared heating is another electric possibility: infrared panels provide radiant heat where you need it. Compare the solutions based on comfort, energy consumption, and the layout of your home.

Check and improve the insulation of roof, floor, walls, and windows

Make insulation the first step towards gas-free living. Check every building component and include ventilation in your preparation for a different heating system.

1. Check the current insulation

   First, note the year of construction, and then inspect the roof, floor, walls, and windows. Request building documents or look for information about previous renovations. Homes built before 1992 without major renovations often still have room for improvement in insulation; in homes from 2000 or later, the insulation is usually already good or excellent. Also check for cold spots and drafts around windows and doors.

2. Prepare the home with insulation and ventilation

   Address heat loss before replacing the heating system. Gaps and weak insulation can make it difficult to keep rooms comfortably warm, especially with a low-temperature system. At the same time, plan for adequate ventilation: fresh air helps maintain a healthy indoor climate. Homes built before approximately 1980 often have natural ventilation via vents and small windows, without mechanical extraction. Therefore, do not simply seal off ventilation openings.

3. Improve the insulation of the home

   Target the roof, exterior walls, floor, and windows. Consider, for example, roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, floor insulation, or better insulating glass. Start with the areas where heat loss and drafts are most noticeable. This makes your home more suitable for gas-free heating, and existing radiators may possibly remain. Also, check whether your planned insulation measures qualify for available subsidies.

4. Test the insulation against Rc values

   Compare the insulation data with Rc values: these indicate how well a building component retains heat. For new-build homes from 2021 onwards, the guideline specifies a minimum of 6.3 for the roof, 4.7 for walls, and 3.7 for the floor. For floor insulation, 3.5 applies as the minimum for good insulation; 5.0 is recommended. Use these values ​​as a guideline, not as a substitute for insight into the existing structure.

What happens to my gas connection?

Have the grid operator remove or seal the connection. Removing internal pipes is a separate job. The rules depend on the work: arrange any necessary permission for work on your home or in public spaces before the work begins.

In the Netherlands, removal will cost nothing in 2026 if there is no urgency and the grid operator can schedule it as standard.

1. Choose between removing and sealing

   Opt for removal if you will no longer be using gas permanently. If you are still unsure, have the connection sealed. This way, you can first switch to electric heating or electric cooking without immediately saying goodbye to the connection for good.

   Keep the seal in your records. Request a contract without consumption from your energy supplier; you will pay management and administrative costs for this. Having the connection removed can be done free of charge in 2026 if there is no urgency and the grid operator schedules the job as standard. This makes planning important for your investment.

2. Have gas pipes removed

   Decide separately whether you also want to have unused gas pipes in the house removed. The costs for this cover the pipes, not the gas connection itself.

   Schedule the removal after your gas consumption has permanently stopped and the electrical alternatives are working. Consider the heating, cooking, and the meter cupboard. Also, make arrangements regarding any work on floors, walls, or public spaces: these can affect the approach and the necessary permissions. This will prevent you from having to reschedule insulation or other measures.

Distinguish between sealing and removing the connection and removing pipes. These choices determine the work, potential costs, and annual savings on network costs.

Roof, wall, window and floor insulation

Compare possible insulation measures based on investment and expected gas savings. This way, you can see which intervention suits your home and renovation plans.

1. View roof insulation as a separate investment. The estimated annual savings amount to 320 to 550 m³ of gas. The result depends on the existing roof structure and heating usage. Compare these expected savings with the investment to assess the measure within your planning.
2. Compare those figures with floor insulation. The potential savings amount to 80 to 250 m³ of gas per year. Additionally, consider how accessible the floor is and whether the work coincides with a renovation. This way, you assess not only the cost but also the practical impact of the intervention.
3. Include windows and exterior walls in your assessment. The right approach depends on the existing structure, the condition of the materials, and the areas where you notice heat loss. Compare plans and quotes based on the same criteria, such as the building component being addressed and the target insulation value. This allows you to fairly compare measures and avoid choosing a solution unrelated to the home.
4. Plan the work in an order that avoids duplication of effort. For example, if you are renewing the interior of a wall, coordinate that job with any insulation work. Also, check whether window replacement and facade work can be done together. By aligning the building components and timing, you prepare your home step by step for sustainable heating and a comfortable temperature.

Warmteshop Infrared heating: Infrared heating

Warmteshop helps you tailor infrared heating to your home and desired comfort. Infrared panels emit radiant heat, allowing you to heat a specific spot or room. This can serve as a supplement to another heating system or as an electric solution in rooms where you spend a lot of time.

Consider, for example, infrared heating with LED for a space where lighting and heat come together. Electric underfloor heating or infrared underfloor heating can complement your floor plans. The best choice depends on the layout and insulation of your home and how you want to use the heat.

Would you like to see which solution suits your home and living comfort? Contact Warmteshop for advice on infrared heating.

Make your next step a comfortable choice

Taking a home off the gas grid offers the opportunity to align warmth with living style. Consider the places where you want comfortable warmth and how a heating element fits into your interior. This way, you choose not only lower gas consumption but also a calm, stylish look that suits your home.

Infrared heating can be an energy-efficient way to add targeted heat. Warmteshop offers infrared heating, infrared LED heating, and electric underfloor heating. With personal advice, you can determine which solution suits your living space, desired atmosphere, and heating method.

Would you like to discuss your options? Feel free to contact Warmteshop Infrared Heating and discover which heating solution suits a comfortable and stylish home.

Frequently asked questions about gas-free living

How can you live gas-free?

Start by taking stock of all appliances that use natural gas. For each appliance, note how often you use it, how old it is, and when replacement makes sense. This helps you determine which change requires attention first. A step-by-step plan to get your home off gas works best when you align your choices with your daily routines and planned renovations.

And the next step?

Work out one concrete decision, for example, which room you want to tackle first. Note what you already know about that room and which questions remain open. Consider comfort, available space, and the desired look. This way, you turn a major change into a manageable plan and track your progress without deciding everything at once.

Is there a subsidy if you want to switch from natural gas?

Yes, Dutch homeowners can apply for the ISDE subsidy for, among other things, floor and window insulation and a new heat pump, according to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Make an overview of the measures you are considering and keep the associated plans and documents. This way, your choices will be clearly organized when you review the subsidy conditions.

How much CO2 do you save by living gas-free?

Stopping gas consumption can reduce a household's annual CO2 emissions, but the savings depend on the situation. View this as an annual estimate, not a monthly amount or a personal measurement. If you want to track the change in your household, record your energy usage before the switch and compare it later with a similar period. This way, you keep track of the trend.

What does it mean when someone says "I am going off the gas"?

Usually, that person means that natural gas is no longer used at home for daily necessities. This does not automatically say anything about the home's energy source as a whole or about how the change is carried out. Therefore, ask exactly what someone wants to change: just cooking, heating, hot water, or all applications that use gas.

What is a gas-free house?

A gas-free house uses no natural gas inside the home. This does not mean that the house is completely self-sufficient or consumes no energy at all. Electricity and heat can still come from outside the home, for example via the electricity grid or a district heating network. The term therefore describes that no natural gas is used at home, not the total energy demand or the origin of all energy.

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electric heating energy-efficient living gas-free living infrared heating step-by-step plan to take the house off gas district heating heat pump home insulation

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