Electric Boilers vs Gas Boilers: Which one is best for your home heating?

Many homeowners find it hard to decide between a gas boiler and an electric boiler.

Each of these types of boiler systems has its own pros and cons. Also, the two systems will differ between installation, boiler cover, and running costs.

If you’re currently trying to choose between a gas boiler and an electric boiler, this informative guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the right choice for your home.

What is a Gas Boiler?

Gas boilers burn natural gas to generate hot water for the taps and radiators in your home. They are the most common form of heating in the UK, with approximately 80% of homes relying on central gas heating.

To give you an accurate figure regarding the popularity of a gas boiler, around 23 million homes use gas as a fuel for heating and hot water.

There are three main types of gas boilers: combi, heat-only, and system. Each type is suitable for different kinds of homes and central heating requirements.

Gas boiler systems can be fueled by natural gas or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). If your gas boiler is powered by natural gas, it will receive its fuel from the local gas network.

However, if LPG powers your gas system, the fuel must be stored in a cylinder or tank and replaced regularly.

What is an Electric Boiler?

Electric boilers, unlike gas boilers, use electricity as their fuel. Fuel combustion does not take place with electric boilers. Instead, they convert electricity into heat, which is used to heat water for your home. This heated water is then sent to your radiators and taps for heating and hot water purposes. Electric boilers are commonly deemed more eco-friendly as no fuel is burned during operation.

A range of electric boilers is available, including direct-acting, electric storage boilers, and dry core storage electric boilers. Each type will be suitable for different homes and needs.

Electric boilers are best suited to properties not connected to the gas network and homes with lower heating and hot water requirements.

Gas Boilers vs Electric Boilers: Pros and Cons

To help you decide on the best boiler type for your home, below we break down the advantages and disadvantages of gas and electric boilers.

Installation Prices and Running Costs

Generally, gas boiler installations tend to be more expensive than electric boiler installations; however, overall costs will depend on the complexity of the fitting process. Gas boiler swaps can be inexpensive.

The cost of electricity is higher than the cost of gas, so running costs for electric boilers are typically higher. It is estimated that gas can be 3–4 times cheaper per kilowatt-hour than electricity. This is one of the main reasons gas heating is the most popular choice in the UK.

The best way to weigh up the costs of your new boiler installation is to get a quote. Why not try our free online quote tool today to get a personalised estimate for your new gas boiler?

If not, the table below can give you a fair idea of the cost model. We have provided the electric boiler’s running cost, as installation varies depending on your provider and area. On the other hand, we have provided installation costs for gas boilers.

Cost of Running an Electric Boiler

Cost of Gas Boiler Installation

Energy Efficiency

All modern gas boilers are built with condensing technology. This means they can recover the latent heat and use it to provide further heating instead of letting the energy go to waste. Condensing boilers can reach efficiency levels of over 90%, and all boilers installed within the UK are legally required to be A-rated.

Electric boilers are considered more energy-efficient than gas boilers, as they do not waste any energy and fuel combustion does not occur during their operation. However, the production of the electricity used to fuel electric boilers is considered carbon-intensive and thus reduces the overall energy efficiency of this form of heating.

On the other hand, when paired with a renewable energy source like solar panels or an air-source heat pump, electric boilers could be 100% efficient.

To help the UK meet its strict net-zero energy efficiency targets, the government has proposed a potential gas boiler ban in 2025. This move could see a rise in the use of electric boilers. Find out more about the potential gas boiler ban here.

How would I know whether I have a gas or electric boiler?

To know whether you have a gas or an electric boiler, first look for labels or other documentation on the boiler that will indicate its type. Secondly, the pipework and the wire connections will also determine the difference between gas and electric boilers.

Another way to determine what type of boiler you have is to remove the access panel of the heater from the side of the boiler and look for the pilot light. If you can easily see the pilot light, then you have a gas boiler, as an electric boiler does not have this kind of light.

Type of Electric Boiler

1- Electric Combi Boiler

An electric combi boiler is a cost-effective way to provide your home with central heating and hot water. Apart from cost effectiveness, their compact design makes them easy to install and maintain. Plus, they are available in multiple sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Electric combi boilers are also space-efficient, as they don’t require any additional fuel storage tanks. They are also environmentally friendly, making them a great option for reducing their carbon footprint.

2- Electric Storage Boiler

Another reliable, efficient, and cost-effective way to get hot water and heat for your home is by using an electric storage boiler. Although they are not that space-efficient, they include an insulated tank or hot water storage to store the heated water. They are also ideal for reducing your energy bills because of their lower demand for electricity.

3- A Dry Core Storage Boiler

Like storage boilers, a dry-core storage boiler operates by heating the bricks of your home. After heating the bricks of your home overnight, they take the heat from them and transfer it to the water tank to provide you with heating and hot water. What makes them unique is that they don’t circulate heat.

4- Electric CPSU

Combined primary storage units, called electric CPSUs, are ideal for fulfilling high hot water and heating demands. Their tremendous pressure and enhanced capacity to supply hot water and heat make them suitable for commercial buildings.

Type Of Gas Boilers

Combi-Gas Boilers

Combi gas boilers are now popular among UK homeowners for central heating and hot water. The reason behind that is that they are highly efficient and provide you with hot water on demand. Plus, they are very space-efficient and waste less energy, resulting in reduced costs on your energy bills.

System Gas Boilers

The System gas boilers are traditional yet a little advanced compared to regular boilers. Their controls are straightforward, plus they only require a separate hot water storage tank to provide your home with continuous hot water and heating at multiple bathrooms simultaneously. They are long-lasting, and their controls are not that complex, providing uninterrupted comfort in your home.

Regular Gas Boilers

Regular Gas Boilers, known as heat-only boilers, are the most traditional heating method. They are economical, provide precise control over temperature, and consume relatively low levels of gas or any other fuel. The only demerit is that it consumes a lot of space as it requires two storage tanks, meaning you will need a separate room.

Apart from that, they are highly effective and long-lasting, and their overheating protection features provide you with the ultimate peace of mind regarding the safety of your home.

Which fuel type is more environmentally friendly: gas or electricity?

Out of gas and electricity, if we consider which fuel type is more environmentally friendly by a considerable margin, electricity is more sustainable than gas. Although gas is relatively cheap, when burned to generate heat, it releases more CO2 into the environment than electricity. On the other hand, electricity is more expensive than gas.

Still, the good part is that it can be generated from renewable sources, such as solar panels. You can also store electricity for later use at night by investing in a solar generator. So, to summarize, if you want to contribute to the environment, electricity is the fuel type to choose.

When should I consider getting a gas boiler?

If natural gas is readily available in your area, choosing gas as your fuel type is an excellent decision regarding price and value. If you buy a boiler with an efficiency rating of 80–90%, then gas will not only be cheaper, but your carbon footprint will be drastically reduced.

When should I choose an electric boiler?

Firstly, you will need to assess the size of your household and the quantity demanded. This will determine whether an electric boiler can effectively meet your demands for hot water and heating. Plus, if you live in an area where electricity is inexpensive, choosing electricity as your fuel type will be cost- and space-saving and reduce your carbon footprint.

Gas vs. Electric Boilers: The Result – Which option is better for your home?

Deciding which option is better for you will be dependent on your needs. Although to give you a fair idea, the above table provides a head-to-head comparison of the critical features of gas and electric boilers. However, to summarise the debate, if you are looking for a short-term cheaper option, then choosing gas may prove to be the right option if you are also connected to a gas line, but do consider the potential gas ban and higher maintenance cost.

Also, consider impacting the environment more positively. In that case, gas might not be the right option, as the carbon emissions of gas boilers are comparatively higher than that of electric boilers. On the other side, if you are looking for a long-term solution to save energy and impact the environment more positively, electric boilers will be an excellent investment if you can bear the hefty initial cost, as the long-term energy you will be saving will be much higher.

All in all, both have merits and demerits, as mentioned above. So ultimately, there isn’t any winner, and it all depends upon your decision.
If you are looking to get a new gas boiler and don’t know where to start, then 24|7 Home Rescue is there for you; give us a call at 0345 3192 247 and one of our representatives will guide you through and help you in making the right decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is a better choice: a gas or electric boiler?

The answer to this question depends on your needs and the amount of money you are willing to invest in a boiler. Each of these boilers has its pros and cons. As mentioned above, depending on these, you can decide which to invest in.

Are electric central heating boilers any good?

An electric combi boiler is an excellent central heating boiler choice. It is both efficient and quiet, as well as a clean and non-polluting choice. Depending on the size of your property, you can decide if this heater is feasible.

Are electric boilers expensive to run?

One of the most common questions regarding electric boilers is whether they are expensive to run. The running costs of electric boilers are something most people are unsure of. It can also be challenging to find the right information regarding this. Generally, electricity costs more than gas, so an electric boiler is more expensive than a gas one.

Do electric boilers need a water tank?

If you are looking to buy an electric boiler, you might benefit from getting an electric water boiler. This one needs a water tank as well. This mainly depends on the kind of electric boiler you decide to buy. Both storage and electric combined primary storage unit boilers require water tanks.

Can I replace a gas boiler with an electric boiler?

If you want to replace your gas boiler, you can switch to an electric one. This might be a good idea, as it is a non-polluting, relatively easy-to-use boiler.