Oil versus electric CH?

ShirleyC_2

We are updating our newly purchased bungalow and want to change from night storage to central heating . We have no mains gas in our area, so are left with either oil or electric options (unless we want to install an underground LPG tank, which I understand can be done but sounds horrifically expensive!). Please can anyone advise on which type of heating might be best? And most cost effective in the medium to long term? Thank you!!

Cardew

Oil is without doubt currently the cheapest fuel for running costs. Especially as it is now down to around 40p/litre(it was about 70p weeks ago)

With a modern oil filed boiler with a very high efficiency, this means you should be paying about 4.5p for a kWh.

This will be even cheaper to run than storage heating(with all its disadvantages) as Economy 7 cheap rate costs around 5p for a kWh and you have to pay extra for all your daytime electricity on Economy 7.

Compared with any form of electrical heating* on a daytime tariff, it is a no contest as oil will be about a third of the price.

The downside of oil is that it is expensive to install and you will need annual servicing and eventually repairs/boiler replacement.

Also oil prices have been volatile in recent times - so I would get as big a tank as space permits and buy loads when you feel prices are low.

* Except Heat Pumps - expensive to install and still very new in UK but may be the system of the future.

ShirleyC_2

Many thanks Cardew for your quick reply. I will speak with a plumber to get installation quotes. Shirley

200

Look at petrol diesel and oil!
its gone out the window, how on earth do you think that Global Warming and decreasing oil suplies will be a good idea?
Electricity WILL get cheaper, oil boil will soon become a bad idea!
Gas is the cheapest heating anyway i say you better get yourself a windturbine.