electric heating help

amtrakuk

I think this is the "Total cost of ownership" argument I had many years ago... Yes Lecky is more expensive but generally equipment will last 2-3 times as long as a gas boiler. Initial installation is cheaper, more reliable and generally will last longer.

Modern good quality Combi boiler supplied and installed for £2-3K - will last approx 10 years - 15 if your lucky. I was quoted anything from 2-5K for a fitted replacement 5 years ago.

On going annual servicing £150-£200 a year

TCO (10 years) = 3K Replacement + 1.5K servicing = 4.5K

Electric radiators (I picked up 4 x 2Kw Dimplex Mk1 for £50 off ebay).
Sparky to install wiring and upgrade fuse box to consumer unit £500

Total cost of install = £550 - expected like 20 + years - ongoing servicing costs £0.00

Electric usage 1 year based on what I'm paying now (11p/kW + 22p S/C) = 9.5MW / year = £1045 electric + £80 S/C = £1125.00 a year or £93 a month

Gas = approx 1/3 of electric (5p / kW) 6.6MW = £330 gas + £80 S/C = £410 a year or £49.20 + £37.50 (Depreciation) = 86.70 a month.

Duel Fuel for houses with both gas and electric:
Gas inc. TCO @ £86.70 + £40 for electric = 126.70 a month.

Which is cheaper - Electric @ £93 a month or Gas and Electric @ £126.70 a month?

macman

Even in central London you don't pay £150-200 for a boiler service. My last one was £80. My combi is 15 years old and still working well (famous last words).

amtrakuk

Id think its fair to say most boiler cover is paid on a monthly basis. There again British Gas condemned my mothers 60% efficient Johnson and Starley forced air at 20 years old despite parts being readily available for J&S.

Kernel_Sanders

macman wrote: »

Even in central London you don't pay £150-200 for a boiler service. My last one was £80. My combi is 15 years old and still working well (famous last words).

A service agreement usually includes breakdown cover, so his estimate is entirely reasonable. If you avoid noisy fan heaters, there's not much to go wrong with a portable electric!

macman

But you don't need a service agreement...amtrakuk made no mention of insurance cover, purely servicing costs. it's not comparing like with like.

zzzLazyDaisy

On any case OP is renting and will only be in the property a few months.

OP sainsburys have some lovely black thermal wear on the lingerie section. The fabric is sleek, not like old fashioned thermals, more like ordinary leggings and long sleeved T shirts. It looks good, is not expensive and is surprisingly warm. I feel the cold and they have made a big difference to me.

hth

OliviaKS

Ooh good tip, thank you! I didn't think of that. I have some long sleeve thermal tops but could do with something for my lower half.
I've also cracked out my sleeping bag so even though my neighbours must think they're living next to a refugee, it is nice and warm.

Thanks for all the other tips, but as this is only supposed to be short term (the house I'm buying has gas central heating, rooms with doors, a wood burner, and windows that shut), I'm not spending any money sorting out the drafts etc as there are too many causes and for a couple of months it's not worth it. If the house purchase falls through or takes longer than expected I will do as you suggest.

JCapirote

RichPyke wrote: »

It's incorrect to say all electric heating isn't cheap. I work for a plumbing, heating & electrical company, we install many electric systems, they are as efficient as their gas counterparts if set up correctly.

Whichever way you go, heating a building with poor insulation is going to be expensive.

So could you elaborate a little more on getting electric heating to work as efficiently as possible or against the regulations?

Is the competent DIYer able to set this up correctly?

what do we need to fit?

Are these heaters going to be extortionate to buy in the first place?

Have a great day

Richie-from-the-Boro

Welcome to the forum 1st time poster [Join Date: 24-02-2010] JCapirote

Pingu2807

Hi does anyone have any tips on how to reduce spend on electric heating? I am in a rented one bedroom cottage, house is insulated and I have curtains on doors etc and not prepared to live in a sleeping bag, but also can't afford the current £285 monthly electric bill. I have a heatrae sadia amptec boiler which is on a useless tariff for me (economy 10) as I only have it on when I come home from work or getting ready for work in the morning. This is still the cheapest on peak electric rate though. Any suggestions, already considering moving.