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Electric vs Gas Heating: Which is The Better Way to Heat Your Home?

James Halderthay
May 8, 2023
4 Comment
Electric Radiators Vs Gas Central Heating

It’s a common question. What’s better? Gas vs electric heating?

If you’re in the middle of refurbishing your house or you’ve recently been thinking about replacing your gas central heating before the colder months really kick-in,  it’s worth considering the benefits of switching over to electric radiators.

It’s not a decision to be taken lightly. After all, heating your home is a vital part of providing a comfortable living environment, especially in the chilly UK winters. In this blog, we’ll discuss the key differences between gas and electric heating systems, weigh up their pros and cons, and offer some insightful tips on how to save on electric heating. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

Why you should consider Electric Heating

You may not have thought about this type of heating system before, because traditionally, electric heating generally referred to those 1970’s portable heaters or plug-in appliances that looked unsightly and ungainly!  However, if you look at the range of products on available nowadays, it’s clear that the advances in electric heating over the years have been tremendous.  You can expect energy-efficient, stylish, modern-looking designs that are easily fixable to the walls in your home.  In fact, more and more people choose this type of heating system over gas central heating because it delivers remarkable heating efficiency. Often cheaper to run than old-fashioned gas central heating we’re going to show you why it’s time to get on-board with the benefits of electric radiators and why they’re often better than gas central heating.

What are The Differences Between Gas and Electric Heating Systems?

Besides the clear distinction that gas heating uses gas and electric heating uses electricity, there are other important differences.

For instance, gas heating typically involves a boiler heating water, which is then distributed to radiators throughout your home. In contrast, electric heating can take the form of electric radiators or storage heaters that convert electricity directly into heat.

Further, gas heating requires a connection to the gas grid, while electric heating can be used anywhere with access to the electrical grid. As such, electric heaters are often favoured in areas where gas supply is inconsistent or unavailable.

Electric Heating Pros and Cons

Pros of Electric Heating

Electric heating offers several advantages. It’s incredibly easy to install, with minimal disruption to your home. There are also fewer safety concerns, as there’s no risk of carbon monoxide leaks, and it’s suitable for homes without access to the gas grid. What’s more, electric heating can be highly efficient. Modern electric radiators, for instance, can convert nearly 100% of the electric energy they consume into heat.

Cons of Electric Heating

On the flip side, the cost of electric heating can be higher than gas, due to the higher price per unit of electricity. And while electric storage heaters provide a cost-effective option, they can take up quite a bit of space in your home.

Gas Heating Pros and Cons

Pros of Gas Heating

Gas heating often offers a lower running cost and can heat up a home relatively quickly. This is especially beneficial in larger homes where quick, powerful heating might be needed.

Cons of Gas Heating

However, gas heating systems come with their share of drawbacks. The installation can be expensive and disruptive, especially if your home isn’t already connected to the gas grid. Plus, there’s the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if your boiler isn’t properly maintained.

An electric radiator in a modern living room

6 Benefits of Electric Radiators Vs Gas Central Heating

1. Boiler Breakdowns Won’t Affect Your Electric Heating

Don’t forget that gas central heating runs from your boiler.  A boiler needs to heat up to temperature in order to penetrate the water inside radiators and in turn, make them hot.  Now, with electric radiators you don’t have the interaction with your boiler.  That means there’s no risk of going without a warm, comfortable home if your boiler breaks down. You’ve probably experienced boiler breakdown before, if not, then count yourself lucky!  Did you know that 18% of UK homes experienced boiler-breakdowns last year, this piece shows you how many homes went without heating in 2016/17?  If you were one of these people, you know how cold it gets without heating, you wouldn’t go without heating with electric radiators.

2. The Sound of Silence!

Then there’s the noise of gas central heating! How many of you have been disturbed early in the morning during the winter months as your gas radiators kick into gear?  It’s that annoying churning and banging of water as your boiler and radiators start to heat up.  The huge advantage of an electric radiator system is the silence. There’s no background noise, no clicking, clunking or thumping through pipes under the floor and that means extra sleep for you too.

3. Electric Radiators Mean No Plumbing Fees and No Servicing Costs

Installing a gas central heating system definitely needs professional installation and don’t forget the boiler system needs servicing once a year (service cost anything from £50 to £150) as well as an annual certificate.  Pipework and central heating radiators are prone to leaks.  Not only do these issues impact on heating efficiency, they’re potentially costly to rectify.  One of the biggest plus points with electric radiators is that they don’t need servicing at all, because they are powered through the mains. So, they’re maintenance-free, no plumber call-outs, no annual servicing and no flushing through of systems either.

4. Old Boilers Mean Inefficient Heating

If you haven’t yet replaced your old boiler, you are potentially running an inefficient heating system. The older your boiler is, the harder it will be working to heat up your home.  Leaving a boiler without servicing means that you’re putting it at risk of breakdown and the bigger the malfunction, the more expensive it will be to resolve.  Boilers need to be replaced every 15 years and the average cost is anything from £2500 to £5000+ depending on the size of the boiler needed and your home. Then there’s insurance on top, this could cost approximately £100 per year.   There’s some interesting guidance here on when you should replace your boiler. Of course, we know you need a boiler for hot water but at least with electric radiators you can feel confident you will never be without heating and if you switch to electric heating, you might not need a large boiler – saving you money.

5. No Bleeding and No Leaking Problems

Gas central heating upkeep costs relate to the corresponding radiators too. When they burst or leak, you likely have to buy new ones, very similar in cost to electric radiators but remember, new gas central heating radiators won’t be guaranteed leak-free and you need to pay a plumber for installation. Electric radiators are an easy DIY installation.  Don’t forget, you need to regularly bleed gas central heating radiators too which sometimes requires a plumber.  You don’t need to bleed electric radiators!

6. You Don’t Lose Heat Through Pipes Using Electric Radiators

As mentioned, with a gas central heating system, heated water travels underneath your floors through pipes into your radiators and during this time, quite a lot of the heat is reduced, especially if your pipes aren’t insulated.  If there’s no insulation then bet you didn’t know that up to 50% of heat is lost along the way to your radiators.  That’s why you need to heat your home for longer and often crank up the temperature – because of that costly heat loss. With an electric radiator system you don’t need a central heating system laid through pipes and if you want to replace your central heating system it’s quicker and easier to decide to use electric radiators instead.  In fact, it’s so easy; you can actually do it yourself!  No need to call in a plumbing firm with often huge call-out fees and inflated hourly rates.

Gas or Electric – Which is Better for The Environment?

In this era of environmental awareness, the impact of our energy consumption choices has never been more significant. So, when we compare gas and electric heating systems, it’s crucial to consider which is more eco-friendly.

Gas boilers are known to contribute to CO2 emissions, a leading cause of global warming. According to the Energy Saving Trust, gas central heating for an average UK home produces around 6 tonnes of CO2 per year. These emissions can have a harmful impact on our environment, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

On the other hand, electric radiators are a clean and quiet alternative, offering zero emissions at the point of use. This means that when powered by the national grid, the environmental impact is significantly lower compared to gas boilers. Moreover, electric radiators don’t pose any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, making them a safer option for your home.

Powered by Renewable Energy

Most importantly, electric radiators can also be powered by renewable energy. As the UK government sets ambitious targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the country is rapidly increasing its use of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. As a result, electric radiators can operate on green energy, further reducing their environmental impact.

 Renewable energy sources for electric heating.

Opting for an electric radiator means you’re not only choosing an energy-efficient heating solution but also preserving natural resources by minimising fossil fuel consumption. A report from National Grid highlights how decarbonising home heating is a vital step in achieving our collective environmental goals.

As the UK continues to invest in renewable energy, electric heating is positioned to become an increasingly eco-friendly choice. By choosing a state-of-the-art electric radiator system for your home, you’re playing a part in protecting our planet. So not only are you ensuring a cosy and comfortable home, but you’re also contributing to a healthier environment – and that’s a choice we can all feel good about.

Gas Heating is Apparently Cheaper, But…

Sure, on the surface, gas appears to be the cheaper alternative for heating your home. With gas costing around 4p/kWh and electricity at about 15p/kWh, you might be tempted to think gas is indisputably the better deal. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.

It’s crucial to remember that your gas boiler likely isn’t achieving 100% efficiency. In reality, gas boilers lose some heat in the process of warming your radiators, largely due to heat loss through underfloor piping. In contrast, electric radiators convert 1kWh of electricity into one full unit of heat – they’re astoundingly efficient!

If we take into account that a brand new gas boiler is approximately 90% efficient, this percentage unfortunately decreases as your boiler ages. An older boiler might only reach a disappointing 50% efficiency, and this figure can be even lower if the boiler isn’t serviced annually.

Unlike gas boilers, electric heating systems don’t require this kind of annual upkeep. Therefore, when we compare the costs of gas vs electric heating, we have to look beyond just the day-to-day running costs. It’s imperative to consider factors such as installation costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, and the lifespan of the system.

Electric heating systems are typically more affordable to install, and the potential for savings over time from their low maintenance needs can be considerable. Furthermore, as we see a trend of falling electricity prices and rising gas costs, the cost gap between these two heating options is closing. So, gas may seem cheaper initially, but the bigger picture might tell a different story.

Calculating the costs of gas vs electric heating.

How Can You Save on Electric Heating?

Want to reduce your energy consumption and save money with electric heating? Here are a few tips:

  1. Smart Thermostats: With a programmable thermostat, you can set your heating to match your daily routine. This means your system only works when you need it to, preventing wasted energy.
  2. Boost Your Insulation: Proper insulation is key to maintaining warmth inside your home. If your insulation is up to par, you’ll require less heating overall, which means more savings.
  3. Select the Suitable Heating System: Choose a heating system that matches your needs and is known for its energy efficiency. Our selection of energy-efficient electric radiators is a good place to start.

Implementing these tips could lead to substantial savings on your heating costs and make your home cosier too.

Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?

Final Thoughts

Choosing between gas and electric heating comes down to your personal needs, location, and priorities. While gas heating might suit some, the safety, efficiency, and environmental benefits of electric heating systems make them a fantastic choice for many UK homeowners. With a range of electric heating options available, from electric radiators to storage heaters and alternative heating systems, there’s sure to be a solution that’s right for your home.

And there you have it! Hopefully, this blog post has illuminated the electric vs gas heating debate and provided some useful insights to help you make the right decision for your home. As always, feel free to explore our other blogs for more heating advice and insights!

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