Central Heating Solution in 2025

kgaia

Hi all, Newbie here.

I've recently moved into a flat with all-electric heating. No gas connection, and an old Horstmann Quartz Economy 7 hot-water heater. My electricity meter was so old it wasn't giving out proper readings and Scottish Power were only charging me 7 quid a month for electricity which was fabulous. 

I'd notified them of this to not get bitten when they do force me onto the smart-meter, which they've now done because of the RTS switch-off business. It's now roughly £1.50 each day to have around 90L give or take of hot water. Not enough to fill my bath.

I've been looking at a full central-heating install, supplied-and-fitted. This will be in the vicinity of 7-8 grand. I'm wondering, will this be worth it? Should I stick to my all electric setup and go for the HHR storage heaters and a modernised hot-water solution? (Better tank, electric boiler for water?)

Given that gas is on its way out and the prices have skyrocketed over the years and who knows where the prices go from here. Would I be just adding more cost running a boiler? Even though it would be cheaper to get my hot water from there. 

Ectophile

Unless the electric boiler comes with a massive heat store (so it can run on Economy 7), then it will be cripplingly expensive to run.

Have you considered the modern high heat retention storage heaters (e.g. Dimplex Quantum)?

EssexHebridean

The OP specifically says HHR NSRs for heating.

Have you considered a heat pump at all? A halfway house solution might be to have radiators installed at a size and with pipework which would work with an ASHP later, but in the meantime to have a gas boiler - in honesty if our boiler went kaput tomorrow I'd fit another - I can't see GCH as the most common form of heating in this country going anywhere for a good while. If a heat pump definitely won't work for you down the line, then I'd suggest your thought around HHR NSH's and updated hot water system might be a good bet, though. The Quantum heaters really are astonishingly good - albeit at a high initial cost of course, but you'd still almost certainly do the lot for less than the full gas install.

EssexHebridean

Further thought OP - does your estimated cost on the GCH install include the cost of running a gas supply to the property? 

Alnat1

You could also consider an air to air heat pump system which would be cheaper than installing radiators. They are what most people consider as being air conditioner units and can both heat and cool. Several emitters can be run from one outdoor unit but it would depend on the layout of your property f this would be viable. You would also need a solution for your hot water needs.

Ask on the heat pump part of this forum, lots who can give better advice than me will read it there.

Rodders53

Flat.

Will need Freeholder / Management Company / Factor permissions to:

•  install gas supply (if it can be done at all)
•  affix and install Heat Pump external (outside) unit for air to air or air to water heating.
  May also require Planning Permission(s) as multiple flats may need multiple such units over time.

If the OP owns a share of the Freehold it may be simpler, or not.

QrizB

kgaia said:

Hi all, Newbie here.

Hello and welcome.

kgaia said:

I've been looking at a full central-heating install, supplied-and-fitted. This will be in the vicinity of 7-8 grand. I'm wondering, will this be worth it? Should I stick to my all electric setup and go for the HHR storage heaters and a modernised hot-water solution? (Better tank, electric boiler for water?)

I'd be inclined towards an all-electric option. HHR storage heaters and a larger HW tank, or (if planning and your lease permits) a heat pump system.

You should be able to install storage heaters for less than the £8k cost of gas. You might also manage a heat pump for that price.

kgaia

Thanks for the insightful replies!

Regarding the permission point of the install, I own the flat which takes a lot of the complexities away, something like installing a meter point outside for a gas connection has already been done for flats even in the same building. Spoken to the factors and they've no objections - even saying its not really for them to say yes or no and its purely up to me. My neighbours as well have no objections and have managed to get their signatures for other things in the past. 

I should've said this in my OP but I live on the 2nd floor, so ASHP's are a little more tricky, I believe they can still be installed in a wall-mounted fashion right? Honestly, I'd love one. Like some folks are saying cooling as well as heating is a great flexibility. I do imagine I'd need some sort of planning-permission from both the factor and probably the council if I go this route.

I'm not sure its an all-too common install route either, I might struggle to find an installer in Glasgow. 

Cost-wise that estimate does include the ~£1000 to run the pipes, I'd gotten a cracking quote from a local installer to supply and fit a boiler + rads for £5500, but that was at the start of the year. 

Dimplex Quantum Heaters are probably the best way to go, I can get some funding from Home Energy Scotland towards these but I would prefer a more 'full-fledged' solution like an ASHP or boiler install.