Is it cheaper to heat washing machine water by the machine or boiler?

Ben84

21Twinkle wrote: »

I agree - especially if your gas boiler is a modern condensing type - costs approx 5p per kwh - and with (up to 95% efficiency) - compared to electric heating (99% efficiency) of around 20p per kwh - it is much MUCH cheaper to heat water via Gas boiler.....

Boilers are much less efficient at heating hot water than they are at heating radiators. So, they have independent efficiency ratings for heating radiators and heating water. You might be surprised just how different they are too. Even the latest condensing boilers only deliver hot water at around 60% efficiency. Older boilers, many of which are still in use, have even lower ratings for hot water. Mine is about the range where it costs roughly the same to heat water with gas or electric.