Most economical way to heat home? Gas Fire or Electric/oil radiator

Mama3

Hi All,
I am helping my parents to reduce their gas and electricity bills by switching them to a cheaper tariff.
I need advice on how to help them reduce their energy / cost consumption without going cold!!
They don’t have central heating / boiler.
They have an old 3 bed semi in the Westcountry. They have an immersion heater for water and 3 gas fires. They have got cavity wall and loft insulation. They are both in their 70s and feel the cold more than they used to.

Any advice / tips much appreciated!

Thanks
😁🤞

wavelets

Once you have seen the prices for gas and electricity, the answer will be obvious.

Electricity is typically at least 3 times the cost of gas per kWh, and so even if the gas fires were only a poor 50% efficient, they would still be cheaper than electricity even if they are 100% efficient. (most electrical heaters are near that level of efficiency)

Be aware, however, that if you advocate significant change in gas or electricity consumption, this could adversely affect your search for your parent's cheaper tariff.

Barneybear1

Agreed gas is your best option at present, electric heating via a ground source heat pump is the only method which would be more efficient especially if used to supply positive air circulation.
Unfortunately at present these systems are expensive

coffeehound

Are they calor gas fires?

Cardew

You need to be more specific about the type of gas fire - some can have efficiency as low as 25%.


I assume you are talking about mains gas??


If mains gas and they own their house, it might be worth considering gas Central Heating.Not only cheaper to run but will greatly enhance the value of the property.

Anthorn

Gas is cheaper than electricity so it's a no-brainer. However you should compare dual fuel tariffs and single tariffs with different suppliers to see if that's cheaper than dual fuel from the same supplier. For me it's no different but it might be different in your region.

For example in the hypothetical case of warm home discount you will be pretty much stuck with the bigger, pricier suppliers for electricity but could get gas a lot cheaper with a separate smaller supplier. Don't forget to consider a dual fuel discount if any.

Mama3

No they are gas fires that are part of the mains. One in kitchen/diner, one in lounge, one at bottom of stairs to warm upstairs.

Mama3

We would love them to have gas central heating but a) i don’t Think they have the necessary funds (I am guessing it could be £10k or more), b) my dad is having a lot of hospital visits at the moment and I don’t think they would cope with the disruption of a central heating installation/ floor boards up / redecoration afterwards etc and c) they have been unlucky with dishonest traders so are very nervous about anything like this.
(I live 200+ miles away otherwise I would be able to organise this better for them).

Anthorn

Mama3 wrote: »

We would love them to have gas central heating but a) i don’t Think they have the necessary funds (I am guessing it could be £10k or more), b) my dad is having a lot of hospital visits at the moment and I don’t think they would cope with the disruption of a central heating installation/ floor boards up / redecoration afterwards etc and c) they have been unlucky with dishonest traders so are very nervous about anything like this.
(I live 200+ miles away otherwise I would be able to organise this better for them).

Consider grants which may be available.

The first step is the government's own online wizard:
https://www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator

The second step is your local authority which may provide grants for making a home more energy efficient which could include a whole central heating system.

Now this is something of a minefield with various companies offering their own "grants". So tread very carefully.

cranford

Is the immersion tank lagged? I use an immersion for my hot water and have hot water for most of the time. I am on economy 7 and heat the water on cheap tariff with a 30 mins boost at lunch time. Uses about 4 units a day so costs about 35p a day. But you may know this already, Economy 7 is only cost effective if you use more than 30% of consumption at cheap rate because day rate is higher.
If they have the old type of light bulbs using 100 watts, LED bulbs @ 12 watts can give the same amount of light and save money. They are now about £3 each but if on for 10 hours a day could save about 70p a week each.

Cardew

Mama3 wrote: »

We would love them to have gas central heating but a) i don’t Think they have the necessary funds (I am guessing it could be £10k or more),

Even if they cannot get help by way of council grants etc, a CH system for 3 bed house should cost much less than £10k.


Get British Gas to provide a quote. They will be the most expensive but it should give you a guide. Generally a good local installer should be 25% or more cheaper.