Which is cheaper to boil water, electric or gas?

BoBoDobie

Sorry if this isn't the correct forum. The kettle has just died so I'm looking around for a replacement one then it occurred to me, is an electric kettle more efficient than a old fashioned gas one on the hob?

Does anyone know or isn't there much in it? I am at home all day so do drink a fair amount of herbal tea!

Premier_2

For the speed & convenience of an electric kettle, buy a new kettle. You can probably pick one up for about a fiver in the supermarkets.

The difference in cost of boiling a cup of water is negligible. Whilst gas is cheaper, you will waste more heating the pan and the room than you will with a kettle which heats the water directly (but still loses some heat to the kettle and then the room)

BoBoDobie

Ahh ok thanks Premier!

macman

In theory, gas should be much cheaper, as it's a third of the cost per kWh. But as Premier points out, all the other factors (efficiency, heat loss etc) will cancel out much of it's advantage.
Either way, don't get hung up on it, as your kettle is only on for a few minutes at a time, even though it uses quite a lot of power. It's a negligible part of your annual energy bill.
If you want to save energy, concentrate on heating, hot water and insulation, that's what makes the difference.

C_Mababejive

Agree with #4

A money saving tip when you get your new kettle...if you normally just brew two mugs of tea at a time,buy a kettle with a visible guage on the side and mark the two mugs mark so that you dont over fill it.

You could also fill it from the hot water tap but IMHO its only worth doing this if you have a stored hot water system that is gas fired i.e not a combi.

BoBoDobie

Thanks again. I was always taught to never drink from the hot water tap?

Good idea about the visable gauge though - I usually just brew one mug at a time and the current kettle although funky to look at is a nightmare to view how full. I'm also going to see if I can see on the Which guide which are most energy efficient.

moonrakerz

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4219639/Trail/searchtext%3EKETTLE.htm

Yorkie1

Or do a larger amount of water and stick it in a thermos flask?

HappyMJ

C_Mababejive wrote: »

You could also fill it from the hot water tap but IMHO its only worth doing this if you have a stored hot water system that is gas fired i.e not a combi.

Oh no I wouldn't do that. The stored hot water system is not designed to be drinking water. One of the parts that I've been looking to replace on the system (one of the valves) say "not for potable use". Only ever fill with fresh cold water.

Pincher

What about getting an electric coffee/tea dispenser?

Or, even nicer, a samovar?

grizzly1911

moonrakerz wrote: »

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4219639/Trail/searchtext%3EKETTLE.htm

And then shop around as Argos seem sooo expensive these days or is that just me. Haven't shopped there in ages.

Just brought a new iron from Dixons, £23, Argos £49 - in fairness it was £47+ elsewhere too.