storage heaters/electric central heating or gas?

Cardew

Chavez wrote: »

What an immense thread! So useful for those of us who have no clue!

Anyways, I am a first time buyer about to move into a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom flat in London. The flat is double glazed, has mains gas (powering the cooker) and 3 storage heaters - one in lounge and each bedroom.

Now, the heaters look pretty old - probably at least 20 years. So my question is - is it worth getting gas CH put in and how much would it cost roughly? Also, how much disruption will it cause? Will the guy who fits the Gas heating be able to get rid of the storage heaters too?

We will be in the flat for around 4-5 years before selling on so house value is important (buying at stamp duty rate of 250k).

Thanks!

As you have a gas supply I would think that around £3-£4K might be a ballpark figure for gas CH. Get several written estimates - BG will be the most expensive.

It obviously will cause quite a bit of disruption, install boiler(where??) gas pipe, water pipes, radiators, remove Hot water tank if you are having a combi, electrical fittings for boiler, thermostat and timer.

Don't forget to change your electricity tariff from Economy 7.

Getting an Air Source Heat Pump system might be worth considering.

Chavez

Thanks for the advice.

The flat itself has wooden parquet flooring and single brick walls (no cavity to hide pipes in). The survey mentioned that the hot water cylinder needed looking at - so a combination system may be the way to go.

It's a share of leasehold property, but will need to check the small print to see if such things can be done. The difficulty may be finding a place for the boiler!

robbie_boy

We have just replaced our storage heaters with a new on the market energy efficient electric central heating system its saved us on average 35% on our quarterly heating bill.Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the company that fitted it for us but their web site is rcs-energyefficiency.co.uk

Cardew

robbie_boy wrote: »

We have just replaced our storage heaters with a new on the market energy efficient electric central heating system its saved us on average 35% on our quarterly heating bill.Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the company that fitted it for us but their web site is rcs-energyefficiency.co.uk

Welcome to the forum.

All electrical heating(other than heat pumps) has the same efficiency, it doesn't matter if it is a 2 bar fire or a system costing £thousands.

So unless your electric central heating system is a heat pump system it will give out exactly the same heat as any other system.

anne99

Cardew wrote: »

All electrical heating(other than heat pumps) has the same efficiency, it doesn't matter if it is a 2 bar fire or a system costing £thousands.

So unless your electric central heating system is a heat pump system it will give out exactly the same heat as any other system.

The above is true, but not the whole story. A heating system that is well-controlled so it only heats what you want, when you want it, to the temperature you want, will use less power, and cost less to run, than one where the heaters are on all the time, regardless of whether the house is occupied or whether the weather has become warmer.

Cardew

anne99 wrote: »

The above is true, but not the whole story. A heating system that is well-controlled so it only heats what you want, when you want it, to the temperature you want, will use less power, and cost less to run, than one where the heaters are on all the time, regardless of whether the house is occupied or whether the weather has become warmer.

Virtually every £30 fan heater or oil filled heater has a thermostat. They all can be plugged in via timers(remote control if required) that cost a few pounds.

These electrical CH systems(Kalirel etc) that cost £thousands are marketed as if they have some special qualities('special filling that retains heat' etc) that somehow enable them to produce more heat for your money e.g.

We have just replaced our storage heaters with a new on the market energy efficient electric central heating system its saved us on average 35% on our quarterly heating bill

Their advertising is a disgrace!

robbie_boy

Thanks for your support ann all I wanted to do was try and help others by telling it as it is. I know there are lots of people out there with massive bills from storage heaters like I had. Also looking ahead having done some research I am of the opinion that electricity in this country will be as competitively priced as in France for instance, when we are firmly on the renewable energy trail soon. Therebye creating a huge gulf between fossil fuel prices and renewable energy prices. That is when my newly installed system will come to the fore for me and anyone else considering electrical central heating. France and other european countries have a much larger percentage of elctrical central heating. We in this country still wrongly consider it to be the devil in disguise.

Cardew

robbie_boy wrote: »

Thanks for your support ann all I wanted to do was try and help others by telling it as it is. I know there are lots of people out there with massive bills from storage heaters like I had. Also looking ahead having done some research I am of the opinion that electricity in this country will be as competitively priced as in France for instance, when we are firmly on the renewable energy trail soon. Therebye creating a huge gulf between fossil fuel prices and renewable energy prices. That is when my newly installed system will come to the fore for me and anyone else considering electrical central heating. France and other european countries have a much larger percentage of elctrical central heating. We in this country still wrongly consider it to be the devil in disguise.

If your prediction, that this country will have electricity tariffs like France, come to pass then you will regret having got rid of storage heating.

Have a look at the Tariffs in France:

http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/utilities/electricity/tariff/

In the meanwhile electrical heating in UK by any means(except heat pumps) on a 'daytime' tariff is the most expensive way of heating available.

If you have "just replaced our storage heaters with a new on the market energy efficient electric central heating system its saved us on average 35% on our quarterly heating bill."

How do you know it has saved 35%? let us have some statistics.

The advertising blurb can say anything - absolutely meaningless!

robbie_boy

I know the savings have amounted to 35 % having compared my last quarterly bill with the same period last year. Oh and this year was colder too. It was easy to compare. I just looked at the KWhrs used, oh and the amount debited from my account was different too. How many more statistics would you like.

samtheman1k

robbie_boy wrote: »

I know the savings have amounted to 35 % having compared my last quarterly bill with the same period last year. Oh and this year was colder too. It was easy to compare. I just looked at the KWhrs used, oh and the amount debited from my account was different too. How many more statistics would you like.

Given that electricity is cheaper than this time last year...