Gas Vs Electric Fires - energy efficiancy?

socks_uk

Years ago my mum always said that electric fires cost far more than gas to run.
I've done a search on here but can't find a thread that might have any comparisons.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction or give me some advice.

Thanks,

Jill

superscotsman

Hi Jill
There are too many imponderables to give a general answer. A lot will depend on the ventilation you have. The best thing to do is to use gas for a quarter, then borrow an electric fire for a quarter, and see which is cheaper. The problem is that although gas appears to be cheaper, the bulk of the heat goes up the chimney, menaing that the room has to be continually refreshed with cold air from outside, which means that more energy is needed to maintain/increase the temperature of the room. Also, over the long term, it is clear to see that gas is going to become more expensive, and although this will also affect electric prices at first, the electric will become cheaper as different fuels are used to produce it.
If you are not in a smoke control zone, have you also considered solid fuel. Do you have access to free or cheap timber for burning?

socks_uk

Thanks for your reply superscotsman,

I'm actually doing a little homework while I'm sat twiddling my thumbs waiting for the sale on a bungalow I'm buying to come through. I've got another appointment to go to the bungalow again on Thursday to do some room measuring etc.

I'll check out what the chimneys are like as much as I can when I go.

Thanks again,

Jill

economiser

Basically the gas fire should be cheaper. However it depends on the gas heater. Many of these "coal fire effect" gas fires can be very inefficient and indeed some are intended primarily as a room feature rather than a heater. You should be able to get efficiency figures from the suppliers of gas heaters.