Phasing out gas and heating oil: why geothermal is a lasting answer to the new regulations

By 2026, Belgium's energy landscape has changed radically. Between the gradual bans on installing new oil boilers and strict restrictions on gas in new buildings in Brussels and Wallonia, owners face a crucial choice. Replacing an old boiler is no longer just a question of budget, but of legal compliance and of protecting the value of your property. At WellDoneDrill, we explain why geothermal is the only safe harbour.

1. The end of the fossil era in Belgium

Regional regulations are clear: the goal is to fully decarbonise the building stock.

• Heating oil: Installing it is now banned in almost every replacement or new-build case.
• Gas: Distribution networks are increasingly seen as end-of-life infrastructure. Carbon levies (ETS 2) rise every year, making fossil kWh less and less competitive against renewable electricity.

2. Why not simply switch to direct electric heating?

With gas being phased out, some may be tempted by electric radiators or back-up heaters. That is a major financial mistake. Direct electric heating costs 4 to 5 times more than a geothermal heat pump. By using the free energy 150 metres beneath your garden, geothermal turns 1 kWh of electricity into 5 kWh of heat. It is the only system able to keep your energy bill low in an "all-electric" world.

3. Geothermal: your shield against carbon taxes

Europe has set up an emissions trading system (ETS) that now applies to heating buildings. Every cubic metre of gas burned will cost you more and more in "pollution rights". By choosing vertical drilling with WellDoneDrill, you leave this tax system for good. You burn nothing and emit no CO₂ on site. You become an energy-responsible citizen and, above all, you are protected from the tax.

4. Resilience of the power grid

People often fear the grid will be overloaded if everyone switches to heat pumps. Here again, geothermal is the preferred solution of grid operators (such as Elia, ORES or Sibelga).

• Lower peak demand: Because its efficiency (COP) stays stable even at -10 °C, a geothermal heat pump does not draw power peaks from the grid during cold spells, unlike air-to-water heat pumps, which have to switch on electric back-up heaters.
• Stability: Your installation is predictable and efficient, which helps balance the country's energy system.

5. Preparing your "post-fossil" resale value

Imagine selling your house in 2030 or 2035. A buyer will turn down a property still fitted with a fossil-fuel boiler, knowing they will face high carbon taxes and costly works. Installing a 150-metre borehole today guarantees your house an "A" rating and keeps it attractive in a property market that values autonomy and decarbonisation above all.

Conclusion

The age of fossil fuels is over. The 2026 regulations are only the start of growing pressure on owners. Anticipating this change with WellDoneDrill turns a legal constraint into an opportunity for comfort and savings. Geothermal is not an alternative; it is the final destination of modern heating.