Gas vs Electric Panel Heater

AberdeenLoon

Hi there,

I have recently moved into a 3 bedroomed, two floored flat in Aberdeen. It has electric panel heating and an electric immersion heater. WE have considered installing GCH however it is not cheap!

My main query surrounds the increases in gas and oil prices and the fact that the gas will run out eventually. Does anyone have any opinion on whether to stay electric or to bite the bullet and switch to a non-renewable resource.

Cheers

Cardew

It really depends how much electricity you use for heating and Hot water and the cost of installing Gas CH - and Aberdeen is cold!!

Electricity in Scotland is more generally more expensive than the rest of UK, but gas isn't.

Daytime electricity is around 10p, changing to Economy 7 will help with the immersion heater costs - at the cost of increasing the price of all other electriciy supplied during the day, including for your panel heating.

Gas will cut your heating costs by 50% - 70% although the system needs maintenance, which isn't cheap.

Unless you are a very low user, there is little doubt that the investment in Gas will pay off in the long run. The question is how long, and what the trend in gas/electricty prices will be in the future.

AberdeenLoon

Thanks for the swift response.

We did get an enormous bill in however since then we have been far more sensible with the heating and water. i.e. closing doors on rooms that are not used etc.

Just had new double glazing put in so time will tell if that helps. I am inclined to perhaps get a gas boiler installed and keep the electric panel heaters....not sure of the incremental cost of installing the wet system throughout the house.