Climate advisors have suggested that households could save hundreds of pounds annually on driving and by moving away from "volatile" fossil fuels.

However, the Climate Change Committee has warned that the initial costs of replacing boilers with low-carbon heat pumps are a significant part of the UK's transition to net zero, and people will require support to make this change.

The expert panel has called for the reinstatement of regulations to phase out new gas boiler installations from 2035 – the so-called boiler ban – and for electricity to be made cheaper to maximise the benefits of low-carbon, efficient . In its latest guidance on ending the UK's contribution to global warming, the independent advisory committee is pressing the Government to commit to an 87% reduction on 1990 levels by 2040.

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The committee has outlined what it believes is a feasible and cost-effective path to the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions from 2038 to 2042, ensuring the UK meets its legally-binding target to reduce climate pollution to net zero by 2050. It estimates that around a third of the emissions reductions during this period will need to come from household actions, primarily purchasing an electric car and a heat pump to replace an old gas boiler.

Personal choices such as reducing meat and dairy consumption and flying will play a "smaller, but important role", according to the committee.

The committee's modelling indicates that, by the middle of the century, households could save approximately £700 annually on heating expenses and another £700 on motoring costs by transitioning to electric heat pumps for home heating and electric vehicles (EVs). According to their recommendations, the overall cost of achieving the emissions reductions would be 0.2% of GDP - a more affordable option compared to their estimates in 2020 for emissions cuts in the mid-2030s.

The committee also predicts that public spending would never exceed 2% of annual expenditure. The initial investment, primarily from the private sector, would yield net savings for the economy by 2040 compared to maintaining current fossil fuel usage levels.

Furthermore, reducing reliance on fossil fuels would decrease the UK's vulnerability to energy shocks, which have contributed to half of the country's recessions since the 1970s. Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, emphasized that the recommendations convey a "really good economic message" as well as a positive message for households.

"It's been really hard for years for people, and a large proportion of that hardship has come from our dependence on volatile gas prices and the cost for people of heating their homes.

"And anything we can do to get these technologies into people's hands and make the use of low-cost electricity, I'm well up for, on a cost-of-living basis," she added. The committee reassured that people's existing cars and boilers won't need to be replaced earlier than their natural lifespan, with the roll-out rates expected to mirror those previously seen in the UK for mass adoption of mobile phones, fridges, and internet connections.

However, they warned that installing heat pumps in homes, a "one-off improvement" required in many cases, represents a significant portion of the total cost of achieving net zero. They stressed that households, particularly those on lower incomes, would need financial assistance with these costs.

The committee also called for a reduction in electricity costs, potentially by removing green policy costs from power prices, to make energy-efficient heat pumps more affordable to run. They highlighted the importance of addressing a lack of awareness and misconceptions about the technology.

The committee cited findings from a citizens' panel it convened, which revealed that while people generally support the move towards cleaner heating and insulation, concerns remain about upfront costs, inconvenience, noise, reliability, and implications for renters. The committee also made a series of other recommendations across various sectors, including increasing tree planting and peatland restoration rates, reducing livestock numbers, ensuring the aviation industry takes responsibility for its emissions, promoting more renewable energy sources, and assisting industries in reducing carbon pollution.

Professor Piers Forster, who is serving as the interim chairman of the committee, stressed the importance of widening the scope of decarbonisation, which he said: "For a long time, decarbonisation in this country has really meant work in the power sector, but now we need to see action on transport, buildings, industry and farming.

"This will create opportunities in the economy, tackle climate change, and bring down household bills."

The spotlight shifts to the Government, as it must determine the reduction targets for its seventh 'carbon budget', covering 2038-2042. These targets are due for a Parliamentary vote by the end of June next year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband addressed the proposed cuts, acknowledging the independent guidance and vowing consideration: "It is clear that the best route to making Britain energy secure, bringing down bills and creating jobs is by embracing the clean energy transition."

Miliband further elaborated on the strategy, saying: "This Government's clean energy superpower mission is about doing so in a way that grows our economy and makes working people better off."

He highlighted the dual responsibility the Government faces, noting: "We owe it to current generations to seize the opportunities for energy security and lower bills, and we owe it to future generations to tackle the existential climate crisis."

Sue Davies from Which? spoke on the challenges individuals face when attempting eco-friendly modifications: "We know lots of people want to reduce their impact on the environment but our research shows that they are held back by high costs, complex choices and uncertainty, especially when it comes to important changes such as buying a heat pump, switching to an electric car, or choosing a more sustainable diet.

"To make the transition to net zero work for the majority, people need to know the changes they make will lead to cheaper energy and fuel, warmer homes, better journeys and healthier meals.

"The Government and businesses can do this by making green choices more affordable overall and by providing the right information and incentives, so that people have the confidence to switch."