Cheaper to run, gas or electric fire??

michellen34

Hello,

My landlord has offered to replace my fire and asked if i'd like an electric one? Never having used an electric fire before are they cheaper to run than gas? And as i have to pick the fire is there anything i should be looking for in an electric fire? i.e energy ratings etc

Thanks

Michelle.

michellen34

Anyone please?

Antispam

Gas its 3 times cheaper to heat than electric. Gas is around 2.5p-4p, electric is 12p-24p depending on tariff and consumption

bertiebots

Electric fires can be noisey and we have one that we never use for that reason. Tbh because we dont use it (it is basically to have a focal point in the room) I dont know how much it costs to run! Ours is the type with a fan heater at the top which is hidden under a hood and has 2 temp settings. Most electric fires seem to be designed like this now.
The only advice I have I am afraid, although I have heard gas fires cost a lot to run...?

jonewer

When it comes to heating, gas is almost always better than electricity.

Stands to reason. Its more efficient to burn the gas in your living room for heat directly, rather than burn it in a power station to heat water to make steam to drive a turbine to drive a generator to make electricity which is transported hundreds of miles into your living toom and forced through an element for heat!

savemoney

Gas is cheaper as said and quicker usually to get heat

michellen34

Thanks everyone, looks like i have to tell him i want a gas one (he won't be too happy as i'm sure electric fires are cheaper)

Owain_Moneysaver

If you have a gas fire though you also have to have adequate room ventilation, which makes your room colder. If you mostly use the central heating and rarely use the fire, then go for electric and get unused flues and ventilators properly sealed off.

In terms of efficiency, some 'decorative living flame effect' fires are horrendously inefficient, totally negating the lower cost per kWh of gas.

Running an electric fire on flame-effect only, no heat, usually costs about the same as a 60-100W lightbulb, a lot less than any type of gas fire if you don't actually need heat and just want the 'cosy' effect.

Personally I like a gas fire for a quick blast of heat but I've lived in plenty of houses without one and haven't really missed having one.

michellen34

Hi Owain, I need it for the heat as my house is freezing in the winter, I have 3 windows in my living room (none double glazed) and no cavity wall insulation as they couldn't do it (something to do with rubble in the cavitys)
The fire he was looking at is in B and M's for approx £80 so i should think it will be one of the ones you have described.
I don't really want to knock him back as i've been waiting for lots of work done including the fire for over a year now. Will have to have a word with him though, as i don't want it if its going to cost so much to run.
Thanks for the advice

Owain_Moneysaver

For heat output you want the 'old fashioned' sort with glowing ceramic radiants. Decorative fuel/flame effect (DFE) fires can be less than 20% efficient whereas something like a Flavel Misermatic is 84% efficient.

The landlord might want to bear in mind that energy performance certificates are now a requirement in rented property so future tenants will have a better idea of how expensive it is to heat the place.

ddoris

Manufacturers and retailers should give efficiency figures for each model of fire. We got a coal/flame effect gas fire which was 50+% efficient