Will electric heating cost me a fortune?

Lorna81

Hi
Am looking to move in to a modern city centre flat. I have had a v bad experience before with electric storage heating and am therefore v keen to avoid any form of electric heating.

However, I've been told by local letting agents that I will struggle to get anything other than electric heating. So, what I'm wondering is whether the new form of electric heating is any better than the old style?

Surely if it is now the recognised standard of heating in flats, it can't be as bad as storage heaters?

Any input gratefully received!

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

You need to be quite clear that electrical heating is expensive. Also that 'new form' electrical heating gives out no more heat for the same running costs than your Grandmother's electrical heating system.

Storage heaters are cheaper for many people than 'normal' electrical heating. However they have the disadvantage of being inflexible and 'leaking' heat durig the day when you presumably will be at work.

The main adavantage of modern electrical heating is that it can be programmed exactly to your requirements - timing, temperature etc - and you can shop around for the cheapest internet tariffs(and not pay the premium for daytime Economy 7 rates)

Owain_Moneysaver

Modern flats are (should be) much better insulated than anything built even 15 years ago and should need a lot less heating, especially if you get a middle floor flat with no north walls.

Premier_2

Lorna81 wrote: »

Hi
Am looking to move in to a modern city centre flat. I have had a v bad experience before with electric storage heating and am therefore v keen to avoid any form of electric heating.

However, I've been told by local letting agents that I will struggle to get anything other than electric heating. So, what I'm wondering is whether the new form of electric heating is any better than the old style?

Surely if it is now the recognised standard of heating in flats, it can't be as bad as storage heaters?

Any input gratefully received!

There is technology such as heat pumps, but you won't find those in rental properties, especially at the lower/smaller end of the market..

Most flats, and some houses, will typically have storage heaters that use cheap rate electricity - typically 30% - 50% per unit of the day rate.

Save up a few more pennies and get a small house that has gas central heating if you don't want electric heating ... but to be honest, the energy price will be about the same to heat both ... perhaps the house slightly more. (not because of the heating system, but because of the design of the property)

bengasman

Electricity is 3-4 times more expensive than gas per kWh, thus electric heating is about 3 times more expensive than gas heating for the same property.