Gas Vs Electric Heating

salukibob

Hi There,

Our situation is that my partner and I have just moved into our first home. Its a mid terrace, 2 bed from the 1930's. It does have a gas supply, but currently heating is supplied by old dimplex radiators only in half the rooms and an immersion heater.

We're looking at our options for heating and hot water, and are interested in both cost effectiveness and environmentally friendliness. Loft will be insulated, and we already have double glazing, but I wouldn't consider the external walls as being well insulated.

The choices we have are either to have a condesing gas boiler installed, with a complete radiator system and pipes installed. Relatively expensive upfront. Or, go for a centrally controlled electric radiator system with on-demand electric hot water (half price of gas, or more). But what about long term costs? We know the traditional viewpoint is gas all the way, but modern electric does seem to make a lot of sense.

Has anyone here gone through the same choices? What are your experiences, and are you happy with your choice? Anyone with electric heating found selling your house difficult - one of our concerns?

Thanks for any thoughts
Rob Smith

Andy_WSM

For both running costs & environmental friendliness then it has to be gas. The current mix of fuels on the national electricity grid is far from environmentally friendly, although you could pay more for a "green" tariff.

Gas is approx a third of the price of electricity per KW/h, making gas heating the cheaper option.

For environmental friendliness you could consider heat pumps - running costs slightly below gas heating, but initial outlay larger - this off set long term by lower annual maintenance costs.

It's a mine field really, but lots of good advice from the friendly folk on this forum.

moonrakerz

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Gas is approx a third of the price of electricity per KW/h, making gas heating the cheaper option.

But electricity is 100% efficient whereas gas isn't, so your heating bills won't fall to one third !

If you intend saying in that house for a while, it will certainly be worth considering having gas CH and water heating put in. It will also make the house more attractive when you come to sell.

potjoe

If at home all day go Elec and Not gas.

Andy_WSM

moonrakerz wrote: »

But electricity is 100% efficient whereas gas isn't, so your heating bills won't fall to one third !

I never for a moment suggested they would! I am well aware of the inefficiencies & maintenance costs of gas boilers, which is why I went the more expensive heat pump route myself.

Andy_WSM

potjoe wrote: »

If at home all day go Elec and Not gas.

Presume you mean Economy 7 storage heaters?

Very outdated and won't add value to the property, where as gas heating would.

Owain_Moneysaver

moonrakerz wrote: »

But electricity is 100% efficient whereas gas isn't, so your heating bills won't fall to one third !

If you intend saying in that house for a while, it will certainly be worth considering having gas CH and water heating put in. It will also make the house more attractive when you come to sell.

Condensing gas boilers are pretty close to 100% - in fact depending on the measurement technique some are more than 100%!!! - and on environmental terms electricity is very inefficient as so much is lost in the transmission network.

Gas heating is what will appeal to most buyers and will add value to the property (possibly even more than it costs to install)