Electric Boiler Central Heating

[funinacup]

Looking for some feedback about gas VS electric combi boilers.

Our flat is a basement and fairly cold so looking to get this installed before the temp drops towards the end of the year.

We currently have only electric. Hot water is via an immersion heater and we turn this on when going to bed for showers etc in the morning.

If we opted for a gas boiler we would have to sacrifice a bedroom cupboard as it is the only accessible outside wall for the flue. This would also mean running the mains water from the current immersion tank into the bedroom, and supplying power to the cupboard to run the boiler.

I'm thinking electric combi will be easier as it can be sited where the current tank is meaning less pipework changes (apart from the obvious flow and returns for the rads) and there is already power in there.

Curious to know whether anyone has info about running costs VS gas. By going electric we'd immediately be saving the best part of a grand to have the gas main extended from upstairs into the flat.

The flat is owned by us, but not looking to stay there for more than a few years, so ultimately not concerned about saving x over ten years.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

Michael

[Chrissb6]

Being an electrician l would go for gas every time, reason being gas offers a far more power and faster heat up time than electric.

[Joeman]

No idea of costs, but i do know that many new build flats are fitted with electric water heating.

Guess it all depends how much hot water your need. if you're out at work all the time and just need a little hot water in the mornings and evenings, an electric boiler would be fine. If you need it all day, you'd probably find yourself out of hot water on a regular basis.

you could also get an electric shower, that way you only need hot water for the sinks/bath, but they are not cheap to run.

[funinacup]

Shower is already mains & thermostatic so can be switched straight over to combi boiler once it's in.

We're a low usage flat in terms of water, and aren't likely to have the radiators on for prolonged periods of time, but need something that will heat the place in under 30 minutes as the current electric panel heaters are woeful.

[Chrissb6]

Hi, l here what your saying, but heating is something you can't skimp on, if we get a really cold snap there's nothing worse than having an under powered heating system. Unless you live in a new build with the latest insulation standards l would still go for gas

[Steve D]

Are you saying that in a modern built property insulated correctly, electric central heating will be okay? I only ask as I am thinking if building a one (possibly two) bedroom flat above a business premises I own and was thinking that the expense of actually getting mains gas to the property plus installing gas central heating will be an expensive option considering the place will be very well insulated. (I have mains electric but no gas).

[jamesrb90]

I build new home for a living and we always go gas. Faster and more efficient.

Me.. Iv had a combi boiler in a bedroom befor when I was younger and it was fine. only used to come on when somone uses the water or heating. Most people turn it off when going to sleep anyway.

[Joeman]

Are you saying that in a modern built property insulated correctly, electric central heating will be okay? I only ask as I am thinking if building a one (possibly two) bedroom flat above a business premises I own and was thinking that the expense of actually getting mains gas to the property plus installing gas central heating will be an expensive option considering the place will be very well insulated. (I have mains electric but no gas).

 

I've got a few purpose built rental flats. None have gas (its another hastle to do gas safety checks so easier for landlords to not have gas)

All my flats were built within the last 8years so all are pretty well insulated. Two of the flats are heated entirely by electric underfloor heating systems, others have electric storage heaters.

Modern insulation means they don't get cold so don't need huge amounts of heating. With a conversion you may not be able to achive the same levels of insulation, but what you could do is have a shared boiler that supplied hot water and heating to both flats. Downside is you have to pay the gas bill and charge it back to the tenants, but that can be useful tax wise

[Grumpy Old Git]

Go for gas. More efficient and generally cheaper to run.

Installation should not prove too difficult and they are quite slimline / small these days so you should not 'lose' too much space.

Power provision is a POP and can be done quite cheaply.

If you are 'reasonable' at DIY, you could run the (water) pipework in yourself to save money.

The re-sale value of your flat will increase (slightly) if you have mains gas supplied to the flat if you look to sell in the near future. if you saty on, then you will get that expense back in savings when compared to electric boilers.

Whatever you do, it will be cheaper than having an immersion heater on all night!

[Steve D]

I was thinking of an electric shower with a seperate, say, 5 or 10 ltr water heater for the bathroom and kitchen sinks with off peak storage heaters in a well insulated newly built flat. As has been mentioned, no gas safety check required if letting it out and frankly, I don't care about the running costs as I won't be footing the leccy bill. I'm reckoning I could get that lot fitted for about the same as it would cost just to have a new gas supply installed.