New Gas Boiler

Neildextermarshall

I am due to have a new Gas Combi Boiler fitted next month but am wondering if I should hold off for a while or even look for an alternative solution. I am having the boiler installed in the loft to free up some space in my tiny kitchen and also having the hot water tank removed to give me a much need cupboard for storage. Given the ongoing energy crisis and that gas boilers will be banned from new builds, should I be considering electric or even heat source systems.

Verdigris

If you went to a heat pump you's still need a hot water cylinder. You'd also need larger radiators, because the water temperature has to be lower to achieve optimal efficiency. Gas is your best option at the moment.

QrizB

A mains gas boiler is still the cheapest mainstream way to heat a home.

If you have a couple of acres of garden you could grow a hazel copppice instead, but that's hardly mainstream!

Astria

Yes, gas will eventually be banned from new builds, but you'll still be able to replace a gas boiler with a gas boiler, so no need to rush in just yet unless you really want that cupboard space. BUT! if you do eventually go heat pump then you'll need a hot water tank anyway.

BUFF

Neildextermarshall said:

 Given the ongoing energy crisis and that gas boilers will be banned from new builds, should I be considering electric or even heat source systems.

Given the current differences in unit prices between gas & electricity  (roughly 4x) whilst heat pumps are "greener" to run they aren't really any cheaper. & the initial installation charge will almost certainly be substantially higher.

RecRec

Be wary of electric boilers. One firm claims they use half as many kWH as a gas boiler for the same heat so my heating bill will double if I go for an electric boiler. Not really an option even for environmental reasons. Heat pumps to me are too big, too ugly and I can't find anyone who can tell me if they cost more or less to run. Certainly installation costs would take a long time to repay if they are cheaper to run.

victor2

Neildextermarshall said:

I am due to have a new Gas Combi Boiler fitted next month but am wondering if I should hold off for a while or even look for an alternative solution. I am having the boiler installed in the loft to free up some space in my tiny kitchen and also having the hot water tank removed to give me a much need cupboard for storage. Given the ongoing energy crisis and that gas boilers will be banned from new builds, should I be considering electric or even heat source systems.

Go for it, especially if the current one is old and reaching the point where it will be beyond repair. Quite a few have 10+ year warranties now, so worth going for, although they do usually require installing by authorised dealers and annual servicing to maintain the warranty. Does give you that little extra comfort though.

Gas is still the cheapest form of heating for a typical house.

Neildextermarshall

I have had to bite the bullet & get the new gas boiler installed as my old system has given up the ghost. The estimates for heat pumps were staggering & totally unaffordable. Changing to electric was also unviable.

Astria

RecRec said:

Be wary of electric boilers. One firm claims they use half as many kWH as a gas boiler for the same heat so my heating bill will double if I go for an electric boiler. Not really an option even for environmental reasons. Heat pumps to me are too big, too ugly and I can't find anyone who can tell me if they cost more or less to run. Certainly installation costs would take a long time to repay if they are cheaper to run.

I was told "Technically they are cheaper to run, but you'll want to run them at a lower temperature, so you'll be running them for far longer than any gas boiler, so in effect, I wouldn't expect any difference in your final costs.". Possibly something to think about when your gas boiler breaks down?

matelodave

Astria said:

RecRec said:

Be wary of electric boilers. One firm claims they use half as many kWH as a gas boiler for the same heat so my heating bill will double if I go for an electric boiler. Not really an option even for environmental reasons. Heat pumps to me are too big, too ugly and I can't find anyone who can tell me if they cost more or less to run. Certainly installation costs would take a long time to repay if they are cheaper to run.

I was told "Technically they are cheaper to run, but you'll want to run them at a lower temperature, so you'll be running them for far longer than any gas boiler, so in effect, I wouldn't expect any difference in your final costs.". Possibly something to think about when your gas boiler breaks down?

Heat Pumps are not cheaper to run. - you've been given wrong information. They may use less energy to produce the same amount of heat BUT as that energy currently costs four times as much as gas they are not cheap to run and they are certainly not cheaper to install.

I am not against heat pumps, I've got one myself and had it for over 12 years and it work - we inttalled it to replace nigh storage heaters.. It's cheaper to run than an electric boiler, cheaper than storage heaters, probably about the same as oil and possibly cheaper than LPG but still nowhere as cheap as mains gas at the moment.

If mains gas became available where I live it would get swapped out in a trice and I'd be at least £1000 a year better off.

If you've got gas stay with gas, there is no compelling financial reason to change to a heatpump, even with a £5k  grant. 

Brewer21

Neildextermarshall said:

I have had to bite the bullet & get the new gas boiler installed as my old system has given up the ghost. The estimates for heat pumps were staggering & totally unaffordable. Changing to electric was also unviable.

You've made the correct decision, stick with gas.
You should also have a more efficient boiler than your old one, hopefully meaning savings. It's never cheap to replace of course but that just life.👎