Can't do the maths...

InTooDeep15

Hello.

I know typically gas is cheaper in regards to heating, but was wondering if the boilers efficiency rating affects that? (My 30+ yo potterton is 'G' in regards to efficiency apparently, and does keep the meter ticking round.

Just asking as I can't work out if it would be better to use a 1700-2000W fan heater for a short while in the evenings or fire up the CH for a couple of hours to get the same result?

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.


This question is asked many times, and there is no clear cut answer.


Generally electricity @12p/kWh costs about 4 times gas @3p/kWh. However your boiler efficiency could be around 60% so the effective price of gas could be around 5p/kWh.


So to produce the same amount of heat even with your old boiler, gas will cost a half the price of electricity.


That said it depends where you want heat. For instance there is little point in switching on CH to heat the whole house if you only want to heat one room for an hour or so. Then it might be cheaper to use a fan heater.


I have a fan heater in my study and if I am up late after the CH is off, I sometimes switch on the fan heater for a short while - the advantage being it gives 'instant' heat.

InTooDeep15

Cheers for clarifying! Tried working it out but hadn't the first clue where to start.