Going all electric?

sarahTT

OK, so hubby sometimes has strange ideas... the latest being that we should not replace our aging boiler (still has some life left but not much I'm afraid) but switch to full electric in a couple of years time (so not next winter), by dismantling the old central heating radiators and putting in fixed electric radiators (or perhaps for some little-used rooms a movable oil radiator or heater which we already use at times).

One reason is that a neighbour with the same build as ours has had a big leak with his central heating pipes... and now we're worried that at some point the same might happen here. Another reason is that we don't spend much time at home in winter (we pay slightly more for the gas standing charge than for actual usage... which annoys him mightily) and he has calculated that the total gas payments would currently buy us around 1300 units of electricity (kwh I think). We use around 2800kwh for the gas but hubby says that electric heating is more efficient than gas though he can't really say by how much. And he also thinks that electricity should get cheaper in the medium run while gas might well stay expensive (or gets even more expensive to "nudge" people towards changing).

We're not on a dual use E tariff and we are prepared to pay a bit more for the heating if we can get rid of the central heating stuff. As mentioned we're normally away in winter for some 8 to 10 weeks (and hubby is always nervous that the CH will break down while we're gone and it's -5C or worse...), either travelling to some warmer countries or with friends in France. They use all-electric and their bill doesn't seem that high (then again their unit rate is lower than ours). They have an electric water tank with a timer, probably similar to our hot-water storage plus immersion heater.

Is all this a crazy idea or does it make (some) sense? If so, have people done that and what are the experiences and pitfalls? Thanks for all input and creative ideas!

Woodstok2000

I read somewhere that gas heating is around 85-90 efficient, compared to electric at 100%. Assuming your figures above are annual, and based on gas being 4x cheaper than electric per kwh, you're still going to be double the price annually for an electric heating system.

Have you looked at heat pumps?

Alnat1

Check your home insurance, most of the policies state that the house must be heated to a minimum temperature at all times, often 10 or 12C. It appears from your post that the house is unheated while you are away.

There may also be a clause that the house cannot be unoccupied for longer than 30/60/90 days, worth checking too.

If you remove a gas central heating system and put in VERY expensive to run electric radiators, you may find that it's almost impossible to sell the property in future. It may suit your lifestyle at the moment but could prove an expensive mistake.

It's probably worth considering air to air heat pumps for heating, what most consider air conditioning units. Get your hubby to research them, for heating in winter, cooling in summer.

Scot_39

As above electric panels are expensive to run if rely on SR electric - especially if want heat all day.

Modern NSH are more like independent TRV'd radiator control - even smart integrated if you want a single point of control - and with a tariff like Snug - you can charge at 9p / unit - not as far away from current gas costs - as many other options.

They aren't as pretty as some electric radiators - but they are a good solution on the right tariff - if you dont want any wet systems and pipework at all for the heating.   But you will need some still for Hot Water. Conventionally an immersion heater / tank.

Air to Air might be an option - and the BUS grant has been extended to cover (albeit at a lower upto first £2500 iirc of costs ).  

They can be per room - but need external walls and large holes drilled - and the units are bulkier - or one external compressor unit - and sealed refrigerant / heat fluid piping to smaller per room units.

Like ASHP you get a COP - so although running at say day rate electric c27p - you might get 3-4 kWh of effective heat energy out per electric kWh unit in - again taking you back towards gas or NSH on Snug type energy costs.

But you will need space for a hot water tank - or some alternative arrangements - for heating HW (as you would with NSH - but at least with a tank on something like Snug tariff - you again wouldn't be looking at significantly higher running costs)

WiserMiser

Electricity is about four times the price of gas.  You'll bitterly regret your choice when the first bills arrive.

Even worse, your house will fetch a lower price and be much more difficult to sell.  Most potential buyers will run a mile when they realise they'll have to install a proper central heating system.

QrizB

sarahTT said:

Is all this a crazy idea or does it make (some) sense?

Replacing a working gas boiler with electric panel heaters is a crazy idea IMHO.

Netexporter

Take the opportunity to get a heat pump.You'll get a £7.5k grant towards it.

Newbie_John

Idea is good, but not the execution.
Let's say gas costs 6p/kWh and electricity 24p.

You say you use 2800 units of gas = £168
With 90% gas efficiency let's say that's 2500 of electricity so it will cost you £600 - so about £450 more.

But you also stop paying gas standing charge that could be about £200 a year.

So it will be more expensive but not as much really - possibly £250 more a year.

Also consider all the information above regarding heat pumps or "cheaper" version of air to air (air con) - the way they work is that from one unit of electricity they provide 4x more heat than any other electrical heating devices.

WiserMiser

Newbie_John said:

But you also stop paying gas standing charge that could be about £200 a year.

How have you calculated that?  The most expensive regions are about £130 per year.

snowqueen555

Electric heating is so expensive, you really don't want to do that. It's more than 4 times the cost of gas.

I understand gas has a bit more cost involved in maintenance, but it still works out way cheaper.

Gas boilers are about 80% efficient, so you lose out on 20% vs electric, but it costs a quarter the price of electric per kw. You'd be insane to willingly switch over.

wrf12345

Low users pay much more per unit rate for gas because of the s/c and efficiency of old gas boilers is very low, so probably going to be more like twice the unit rate than four times. Cheap electric plug-in radiators will cost a fraction of a new gas boiler (even more so if in London et al) so you can make a case for doing this, even more so if you spend the money saved on improved windows/insulation.

On the other hand, lots of green grants rely on replacing the gas system which will no longer be there and house value may be affected.