gas or electricity

G_M

A friend has moved into an unusual block of flats.

The (gas) boiler in her flat is on its long legs and she is planning to replace it. However within the building, hot water is provided communally for all flats as part of the leases. So it is only heating that is needed.

It occured to me when I heard this that a new gas boiler might not be the best source. Perhaps electric boiler? Electric storage heaters? Underfloor heating? Or something else entirely?

Any views, bearing in mind
* installation cost
* running costs
* efficiency

Cardew

Gas costs around one third of the cost of electricity. Having hot water provided communally doesn't alter that equation.

Having an old inefficient boiler might reduce the cost advantage of gas to, say, half the price of electricity.

Nobody would ever fit storage heaters if gas was supplied to the flat. Apart from the running costs, which even at night would be more than gas, the flat would require rewiring to cope with storage heating.

There might be a case for people who use very little heating to get some cheap electrical heaters, rather than a new gas boiler - but it would devalue the flat.

HappyMJ

G_M wrote: »

A friend has moved into an unusual block of flats.

The (gas) boiler in her flat is on its long legs and she is planning to replace it. However within the building, hot water is provided communally for all flats as part of the leases. So it is only heating that is needed.

It occured to me when I heard this that a new gas boiler might not be the best source. Perhaps electric boiler? Electric storage heaters? Underfloor heating? Or something else entirely?

Any views, bearing in mind
* installation cost
* running costs
* efficiency

What's wrong with the boiler? It's usually cheaper just to keep the old boiler running until it is beyond economical repair. The existing boiler might only be 65% efficient but if you add up the savings and the costs of a new boiler then the net savings don't usually add up to much. How much gas in kWh is consumed each year currently?

G_M

HappyMJ wrote: »

What's wrong with the boiler? It's usually cheaper just to keep the old boiler running until it is beyond economical repair. The existing boiler might only be 65% efficient but if you add up the savings and the costs of a new boiler then the net savings don't usually add up to much. How much gas in kWh is consumed each year currently?

She's only just moved in so no idea of KW per year.

If you are pretty sure the boiler will need replacing in the next (OK uncertain) 1, 3 years, her feeling is (and I tend to agree) change it now. The capital expenditure is required - it's just a question of when. Avoid the breakdowns, and get the immediate benefits of an efficient boiler.

Or, as per the original question, consider alternatives and implement those now, while the flat is being renovated (new kitchen, painting througout....) Then she's gone through the hassle and disruption, got a nice, reliable flat, and can focus on enjoying it without worry.