Gas v electricity

Coastalkate

Some years ago I anticipated an issue with gas supply and therefore have far infrared heaters as an alternative to the gas central heating (Russia wasn't going to hold me to ransom!). 

How will I know when it will work out cheaper to use the electric heaters than the gas central heating?  I have solar panels too (though not many as it is a small roof) so obviously when the light is bright that is a factor but, generally, how will I know?

QrizB

Coastalkate said:

How will I know when it will work out cheaper to use the electric heaters than the gas central heating?  I have solar panels too (though not many as it is a small roof) so obviously when the light is bright that is a factor but, generally, how will I know?

Ignoring the solar aspect, it will potentially be cheaper to run the electric heaters once gas is >80% the price of electricity. Which is unlikely to happen any time soon (domestic gas is currently 20% of the price of electricity).

Solar is unlikely to contribute much during the winter months and would be better used ofsetting your existing electrical loads.

Astria

Well you could easily convert your gas central heating units into kWh and do a direct comparison with your electric heating then, assuming the outside temperature was the same and you heated a room from the same temperature to the same target temperature.

The problem come with the type of electric heating you are using - typical electric heaters will always be more expensive than gas heating even with the less efficiency of gas, but when you start to invest in heat pumps it starts to get cloudy, particularly if you start using solar to heat your hot water.

Gerry1

Astria said:

when you start to invest in heat pumps it starts to get cloudy, particularly if you start using solar to heat your hot water.

Cloudy weather will help to stop global warming !