Elec vs Gas Central Heating Help

ElecvGas

Currently have an Ideal - Istor Boiler used for both heating and hot water which is around 8 years old now after moving into a brand new 2 bedroom apartment. Parts keep breaking, need replacing, leaking etc etc etc so constant maintenance costs involved. Last part was motor replaced and leaking joint on a pipe two weeks ago now.

Im therefore looking to replace the boiler as I travel a lot and can't have it breaking whilst I'm away. I've just had British Gas come over to take a look and a couple other companies who didn't even want to touch it.

Problem - The boiler is positioned centrally in the apartment with about a 15 meter Flue running from the boiler to outside wall.

Option 1 - Replace boiler like for like, however with new regulations introduced you now need to have access to the whole length of the Flue or at least the joints of the Flue to test it, this means cutting a 15 meter long hole in the ceiling of the apartment to gain access and replace the flue itself. It also needs to run downwards at 3mm angle back to the boiler so over 15 meters the flue will drop (excuse my maths) around 1ft I guess, meaning my ceiling will need to be lowered at end nearest to the boiler.

Option 2 - Replace the boiler to anther boiler, again replace the flue and cut hole in ceiling but big job to do.

Option 3 - Move boiler into the kitchen using a combi boiler but all the pipes around 5 in total will again need to be run through the ceiling, British Gas said they would just run the pipe around the room itself, exposed so aesthetically this isn't an option.

Option 4 - Get a maintenance contract with British Gas or another company however they won't provide a contract until they are now able to gain access to the whole length of the flue for safety, again nightmare job to do.

Option 5 - Replace the Gas Boiler for an Electric boiler, keeping in the same current position just run an electric power cable to the electric unit in another cupboard (this advise is my own as British Gas don't have an Electric unit offering enough power for apartment of this size)

With all options seemingly to be a nightmare and everyone I've asked and requested a quote for you can just tell they don't really want to touch the job. Plus its going to cost around £5-6000 to do the job if replacing Gas Boiler and most likely an Electric one.

My question is, how efficient are Electric Boilers, what are the costs to run these boilers and which make, models do you recommend as it seems to be the best option taking gas completely out of the equation. And nobody wants to touch the job I need to do the research myself and just tell a company what to do.

gc_bus

We've had an Elnur CMX15 electric combi-boiler running six radiators fitted in the past couple of months. The boiler has been down-rated to 6KW (can go up as far as 15KW) We have a very well insulated mid-terrace 2/3 bed house. Despite the very cold snap we've been experiencing our weekly electricity costs are around £22 per week - that's for all of our electricity. The boiler is on for 1.5 hours each morning and 7 hours each evening. We've a smart chronostat controlling it set at 20c in the morning and 22c in the evening dropping to 14c at all other times. Very pleased. I realise that gas might be cheaper but with no gas standing charge/maintenance and no fumes/flue then we are very happy with our solution. Again, I can't stress enough good insulation. Hope that helps.