Electric Boilers vs Gas Boilers: What Should You Use?

We’ve 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 you’ve entered a few details, we’ll put you in touch with our trusted suppliers. They’ll 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 you’re not worried about the price of electricity, you want to reduce your emissions, and you’re 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 don’t use as much polluting, fossil fuel-powered energy to heat your home.

And as renewable energy becomes an increasingly large part of the grid’s 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 it’s 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 you’re 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 isn’t a huge variety in prices between the two, so it’s 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, it’s 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 you’ll 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 15–20 years, if it’s a high-quality model.

Electric boiler vs gas boiler efficiency

Electric boilers are more efficient than gas boilers, averaging at 99–100% 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, it’ll convert it into 0.93 kW of heat. If one kW costs £1, you’re effectively wasting 0.07p, whereas an electric boiler will waste just 0.01p, or nothing at all if it’s 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 don’t 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.

You’ll struggle to efficiently heat larger homes with an electric boiler, and you’ll 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, that’s 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 aren’t 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 we’ll connect you with our suppliers. They’ll contact you with bespoke quotes for you to compare.