Central heating vs electric heaters

Thomas_Holding

We have both but does anyone know which is cheapest?  I know gas is cheaper than electricity but obviously is the efficiency the same?
Our boiler is new and pleasingly despite being at home more than last winter, our usage is the same as before

bagand96

A modern gas combi boiler central heating system almost certainly be significantly cheaper than electric heaters.

You could do a simple test on running costs.  Put the heating on for a set period (i.e. 2 hours) and see how many units are used and get a cost.  Then do the same for the electric heaters  (obviously don't do one test straight after the other, as the house will already be warm from the first test!)

Gerry1

Electric heaters are 100% efficient.  Modern gas boilers can be up to about 90% efficient, so avoid electricity because it's about four or fives times as expensive per kWh !

There are a couple of exceptions.

• Heat pumps can be more than 100% efficient because you're 'stealing' heat from the air or ground.  Seems you might get 200% - 250% if you're lucky.  The colder the outdoor air temperature the lower the efficiency.

• High Heat Retention night storage heaters with fans are better than the traditional box of bricks.  You don't get more heat out, but you do get more of it at times when it's needed, not wasted when you're in bed.

However, at current prices electricity can't beat LPG, oil or gas.