Weve written this guide to help you decide whether you should get an electric or gas boiler based on price differences, how much they cost to run, which is more efficient, and what you should get if you live in a larger home.
If you want to skip the reading and start finding quotes for electric boilers, you can always fill in this short form. Once youve entered a few details, well put you in touch with our trusted suppliers. Theyll get back to you shortly with electric boiler quotes for you to compare.
Should you choose an electric boiler or a gas boiler?
Choose an electric boiler over a gas boiler if youre not worried about the price of electricity, you want to reduce your emissions, and youre looking to get ahead of the UK government’s plan to phase out 80% of gas boilers by 2035.
Electric boilers are far better for the environment too, because they dont use as much polluting, fossil fuel-powered energy to heat your home.
And as renewable energy becomes an increasingly large part of the grids power, electric boilers will become even cleaner.
The cost of electricity is a big issue for many though, which as of January 2024 stands at 28.62p per kilowatt hour (kWh). Gas is just 7.42p per kWh, so right now its much better value for money to use a gas-powered boiler.
Electric boiler vs gas boiler prices
Electric boiler costs start from £900 for low-end models, all the way up to around £4,500 if youre after a top-of-the-range unit.
A new gas boiler will set you back £570 for the cheapest models, and reach as much as £6,100 for high-end options.
On average, electric boilers are cheaper, but there isnt a huge variety in prices between the two, so its more important to consider their running costs.
Electric boiler vs gas boiler running costs
The annual cost of running an electric combi boiler is £1,717 at current electricity prices, whereas the cost of running a gas boiler for a year is £853 so gas boilers are the clear winner here.
For solar panel owners, its a different story. Because you can generate your electricity for free, the running costs of an electric boiler are much lower.
The caveat is that youll need to either use hot water or heat your water cylinder during the day when the sun is shining.
Adding a solar storage battery eliminates this problem. Charge your battery in the day with your solar panels, and then you can use it to power your electric boiler at night.
While your running costs will be very low, you still need to consider the upfront cost of solar panels and a solar battery.
A 3.5 kW solar panel system will cost £7,860 on average and will last you 25 years or more. Storage batteries cost around £4,500 but will only last up to 15 years if you take good care of them.
So you will definitely have to purchase another battery within the lifespan of your solar panels, costing roughly £9,000 total. Your electric boiler will last 1520 years, if its a high-quality model.
Electric boiler vs gas boiler efficiency
Electric boilers are more efficient than gas boilers, averaging at 99100% efficiency. Even brand new gas boilers rarely go over 93% efficiency.
This means that for every one kilowatt of energy put into a gas boiler, itll convert it into 0.93 kW of heat. If one kW costs £1, youre effectively wasting 0.07p, whereas an electric boiler will waste just 0.01p, or nothing at all if its reaching 100% efficiency.
Heat pumps are another highly efficient form of electric heating. You can find out how heat pumps compare to gas boilers but reading our helpful guide.
Which is easier to maintain?
Electric boilers have few moving parts than gas boilers, meaning maintenance is far easier and subsequently cheaper.
You also have zero risk of a carbon monoxide leak with an electric boiler, which is one of the biggest issues with gas boilers.
Installing an electric boiler is easier too, as they dont need the additional pipework needed when installing a gas boiler.
Which is more suitable for larger homes?
Gas boilers are more suitable for larger homes because they have a wider range of maximum output ratings. You can have a 9 kW gas boiler, or even go all the way up to 150 kW, which makes them a better choice for big properties.
Electric boilers are much better suited for small homes because they have smaller power outputs.
Youll struggle to efficiently heat larger homes with an electric boiler, and youll have to keep it running for longer to achieve the same results as a gas boiler.
This makes them much more expensive to use in larger homes too. You might even need to get more than one unit to provide enough coverage, and when a typical electric combi boiler costs £1,500, thats a fair bit to spend.
Summary
Gas boilers are a better option right now when factoring in running costs, and especially if you have a larger property. If you want to limit your emissions and arent as worried about running costs, then you should consider an electric boiler.
Electric boilers become the clear winner when you have solar panels or another way to generate your own clean electricity, and getting a storage battery eliminates the need to use or heat your water during the day.
Ready to find quotes for electric boilers? Fill in our simple form here and well connect you with our suppliers. Theyll contact you with bespoke quotes for you to compare.
