Electric Boiler Comparison

bluestreak56

Hi all,

Splitting my property into 2 and looking at going all electric in one and gas in the other.

I already have a gas boiler and am looking at Electric Combis for the other.

There appears to be limited comparison information on Electric Boilers and suppliers, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Much appreciated :-)

Cardew

IMO any electric Combi boiler is the very worst option available; especially as gas is available to your property.


A new electric combi will cost around 3 times more to run than gas, and installation costs with radiators etc will cost roughly the same.


Also having electric instead of gas will lower the value of the property.

macman

Why one gas and one electric boiler\?

bluestreak56

The thought process was:

1) 1 bill makes it easier to handle for tenants
2) One supply makes it easier to manage from the landlord perspective
3) The initial outlay will be less (electric boiler + storage heaters), no need for a tank
4) Lack of space for a tank etc

Cardew

bluestreak56 wrote: »

The thought process was:

1) 1 bill makes it easier to handle for tenants
2) One supply makes it easier to manage from the landlord perspective
3) The initial outlay will be less (electric boiler + storage heaters), no need for a tank
4) Lack of space for a tank etc

An electric boiler + storage heaters is not the same as an electric combi as stated in your opening post.


A 'combi' is a 'combination' boiler that heats both hot water for baths basins etc and water to radiators.


Having storage heaters will mean an Economy 7 tariff so without a tank, all hot water will be heated at daytime peak rates - which are higher than a 'normal' 24/7 tariff.


When you have mains gas to the property already, it is a no brainer to have a gas combi.

Andy_WSM

I agree that if you CAN have gas, you should.

However, if space for a tank is a problem, then have a look at Redring Powerstream 12kW electric instantaneous heaters. They're not suited to filling a bath, but will run a shower or fill a sink no problem.

macman

But if you fit a gas combi you won't need room for a tank.
As 'for one bill is easier', I think most tenants would prefer a separate gas bill rather than a 300% increase in heating and hot water costs!
Since both boilers and be serviced and landlord safety checked at the same time, there's a certain economy of scale on the maintenance side.
And most importantly, the property will be considerably devalued when you come to sell it.

Cardew

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I agree that if you CAN have gas, you should.

.

He is dividing his house in two, so already has gas to the property.

Andy_WSM

Cardew wrote: »

He is dividing his house in two, so already has gas to the property.

Yeah, got that, but assuming the landlord would want seperate bills to each property (I would) then it might not be cheap to have a supply put into the "new" flat/house when the split is completed.

bluestreak56

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Yeah, got that, but assuming the landlord would want seperate bills to each property (I would) then it might not be cheap to have a supply put into the "new" flat/house when the split is completed.

Indeed.. Trying to compare the overall costs going from scratch if that makes sense.

Thinking about it like this.

There is no existing gas line although it can be plummed in
There are no existing tennants
There are no existing heaters
etc etc

macman

It might be a bit cheaper for you in terms of the initial install, but a) any savvy tenants will run a mile from all-electric heating and hot water without E7, b) the more intially gullible tenants will complain and want to move out at the end of their 6m STA due to huge energy bills, (so incurring you the costs of re-letting), and c) the property will be worth a lot less when you come to sell it without gas CG and DHW.
As already pointed out, with an existing gas supply in place it's no-brainer-really no need to do any complex maths.