An industry-backed plan to phase out the sale of gas fired central heating systems by 2021 has been criticised by home owners who say the much touted alternative – a (hybrid) heat pump- is expensive and will cause noise pollution.

Home owners association Eigen Huis, which represents some 750,000 home owners, told the AD 2021 is too soon and alternatives are far more costly than a regular gas boiler.

A hybrid water pump will not only set owners back between €5,000 and €7,000 but will also lead to ‘a cacophony of noise’ because of roof top ventilation systems, the association said.

‘You can imagine what will happen if whole streets have these pumps. There will be a continuous hum,’ spokesman Hans André de la Porte told the paper. In addition, Eigen Huis also says older homes will have to be insulated at further cost before a hybrid pump can be installed.

André de la Porte also points out that if a local council bans gas altogether – as Amsterdam is planning to do – the hybrid pump will have been a waste of money. He also questioned whether there are enough competent personnel to install the pumps properly. ‘If the pumps are not put in just right, they will not be cost efficient,’ he told AD.

Environmental organisation Milieu Centraal says people thinking about replacing their heating system should still ‘seriously consider’ buying a hybrid heat pump to save on gas and limit CO2 emissions, although it admits that older, badly insulated homes would not benefit without an overhaul.

It also said the pump will be a good investment because the transition to a gas free economy will take a long time. However, it does advise home owners to ask their local council what their plans are before taking a decision, the AD said.