An electric boiler can be a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to gas and oil. This is in instances where it is used in conjunction with solar panels or renewable energy systems with the help of a green supplier.
However, the electric boiler cost can add up when you consider that electricity from the grid is much more expensive than natural gas.
Our electric boiler vs gas boiler guide will help you find the most suitable heating system for your home. We’ll break down the total electric boiler cost and compare it to equivalent gas boiler costs to ensure you’re considering all factors before buying a new gas or electric boiler.
If you’re in need of a new boiler, you should always talk with a heating engineer, to make sure you get the best solution. However, finding an engineer you trust can be a laborious and daunting task, taking up hours of you time.
This is where Boiler Guide comes in – we can easily find you vetted and certified professionals using our service. We can provide you with up to 3 quotes from Gas Safe and OFTEC-registered engineers. With more quotes you can make sure you get the best deal, so click the button below to get started.
A gas boiler burns natural gas to generate heat for the central heating and domestic hot water. The natural gas is delivered to the property by an energy supplier on demand as and when needed.
Properties that aren't connected to the gas network can still have a gas boiler installed. However, rather than natural gas, it will need to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This is all in preparation for the UK gas boiler ban that is upcoming.
LPG is a natural gas alternative which is a liquid. It is stored onsite in a tank, rather than being supplied to the property from the grid. Read more about LPG boilers here.
All modern boilers need a supply of electricity to operate, but electric boilers turn the electricity into heat rather than burning fossil fuels.
You will find that electric boilers for flats or smaller homes with low heating and hot water demands, alongside properties not connected to the gas network, are common choices.
Electric vs gas
Natural gas has proven to be a great fuel for home heating, but there's no hiding the fact that it isn't kind to the environment.
As a fossil fuel, natural gas releases carbon into the atmosphere when burned. That means every time your gas boiler fires up, the level of carbon in the atmosphere goes up. This is a leading cause of climate change and home heating makes up around 14% of all UK emissions.
One way to combat the impact of home heating on the environment is to turn to electric heating combined with a renewable energy source, such as solar panels.
For smaller 1 bedroom homes and flats, an electric boiler is the ideal low-carbon heating system. However, they’re unable to meet the higher demands for heating and hot water in larger homes and in this respect, natural gas holds the upper hand.
Despite this, electric boilers do have many advantages over gas boilers.
Advantages
Electric boiler advantages
Gas boiler advantages
Quiet as they heat the home
Cheaper than electricity
Zero risk of a carbon monoxide leak
Can meet higher demands for heating and hot water
Fewer moving parts so there’s less chance of any problems
More gas boilers on the market means more choice
No emissions as they heat the home
A like-for-like gas boiler replacement is a simple job for a Gas Safe registered engineer
Most affordable option for homes connected to the gas grid
Interested in a new boiler? Whether it be an electric or a gas boiler, we can help you! We can provide you with up to 3 quotes from trusted heating engineers. Vetting engineers on your own can be a time-consuming task that could take days, which is why our service can provide you with a list of trusted installers so you can compare their prices instantly. By comparing quotes you’ll be able to get the best deal for you and your needs.
As well as the benefits, there are some important considerations to make when installing either boiler type. A key point being that electric boilers are more expensive to run.
Electric cons
Gas cons
Electricity is more expensive than natural gas
An annual boiler service is highly recommended and essential if installed in a rental property or to keep the warranty valid
Can’t meet the heating demands of larger properties
More moving parts can lead to more issues
Will take up most of the energy usage (e.g. 48 amps of a 60 amp fuse)
Gas boilers are larger than electric boilers
Most electricity is made by burning fossil fuels (renewables are on the rise though)
Risk of a carbon monoxide leak if there’s a serious fault
Electric boiler cost vs gas boiler cost
Natural gas is the cheapest way to heat your home and that's why gas boilers are the heating system of choice for UK homeowners. Electricity, on the other hand, is rather expensive.
Fuel
Average Cost in England, Scotland and Wales (pence/kilowatt-hour)
When it comes to electricity, you don't always have to rely on a supplier. Instead, you could turn to renewables to generate your own electricity.
Solar PV panels turn solar energy into electricity. This electricity can then be used to power the appliances around the home – including an electric boiler. So, during daylight hours, you could be heating your home for free.
In the evening or during the night, solar panels aren't able to generate energy. This could mean having to turn back to your supplier. However, a solar battery could take your energy savings even further.
Electric boiler running costs vs gas boiler running costs
The running cost of electric combi boilers are higher than gas boilers but that's not the only factor to consider. Electric boilers have far higher efficiency than gas boilers (ranging up to 99%), while gas boilers are less efficient but better for large properties.
The cost of running an electric boiler 70 hours per month can cost you £285.60 at current electricity prices (under the Energy Price Guarantee which caps energy prices at 34p per kWh). Conversely, gas boiler running costs for the same time period would be £86.52.
Gas boilers, by virtue of being an older technology, have more variety with models that can accommodate most energy outputs (measured in kilowatts). This also means that they can meet a wider range of central heating requirements. There are regulations on gas boiler efficiency that require any boiler to be 92% or above in England (exact numbers for other regions may vary) which may be worth keeping in mind.
At the same time, electric boilers have fewer components that can break down and are better for smaller properties with lower energy demands and fewer radiators. They also do not require servicing annually and are not affected by gas prices. In some ways, electric combi boiler costs can be worth the savings on space and potential repairs.
Installation costs of electric & gas boilers
When it comes to the installation of any boiler type, there are many variables that can impact the final cost. Firstly, there's the cost of the boiler itself.
Electric boiler prices and gas boiler prices are similar, but since there are more gas boilers on the market, it’s possible to find a cheaper gas boiler than an electric boiler.
On top of the price of the boiler are the installation costs which can be around £500-£1000. Those costs can be affected by a number of things, including the location of the boiler, boiler size, and the rates of the installer. Find the boiler sizing rule of thumb in our guide here. New boiler prices can vary from around £500 to upwards of £2,000.
Heating System
Potential Cost
Installation Costs
Gas Boiler
£500 – £2,750
£500 – £1,000
Electric Boiler
£500 – £2,000
£500 – £1,000
As they don't need a flue, condensate pipe or gas line, electric boilers are the quickest, easiest and cheapest to install. However, because installers all set different prices for installation it's important to get multiple boiler quotes and compare them.
Is an electric boiler or gas boiler cheaper?
Electric boiler running costs are higher than gas boilers, but there are many benefits of an electric boiler that could save you money over the years. When you replace gas boilers with electric, UK government grants can help out.
Before you choose a gas boiler over an electric boiler, based on the running costs alone, consider the savings you could be making elsewhere with an electric boiler. To work out and compare the total costs of electric and gas boilers, you will need to consider:
Price of the boiler: Typically, electric boiler cost starts from around £800 but it is possible to find as low as £500, whereas gas boiler prices vary from £500 to over £2,000.
Installation: This can vary, but for either boiler type, will start from £500 – £1,000
Running costs: Electricity can be 3 times more expensive than gas, however, an electric boiler will consume half as much energy as a gas boiler.
Annual service: Annual gas boiler servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer is highly recommended to ensure safe operation of your boiler. They're also essential to keep the warranty valid. Electric boilers don't need the same level of servicing, but it’s still recommended. A gas boiler service should take at least 30 minutes and could cost between £50 to £160, with those living in London being charged more than rural areas. So, if you have your gas boiler for 10 years and are charged £100 for each service, that's a total of £1,000 in boiler services during its lifetime.
Repairs: Electric boilers don’t have any moving parts which makes them less likely to need repairs compared to a gas boiler. The price of repairing or replacing parts on a gas boiler can vary from £150 for minor work to £400 for something more serious. There’s no guarantee you will need a boiler repair, however, it’s something to keep in mind.
Which boiler is the most efficient?
Electric boilers have an efficiency rating of 99-100%, while the maximum efficiency of gas boilers is rarely more than 93%.
With a boiler that’s 93% efficient, for every £1 spent on heating a property, 7p is wasted on lost energy. For electric boilers, there's little to no energy lost. This is because there's no waste gas escaping through the flue.
While some electric boilers boast a 100% efficiency rating, you'll notice that they have an ErP D-rating. You can easily find gas boilers that are awarded an A-rating. The ErP rating makes it especially difficult to compare boilers of different fuel types.
Most electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, and as a result, is considered carbon-intensive and not very efficient. Having said this, energy generation is changing.
Renewable energy generation has increased massively in recent years. So there are times when electricity has a lower carbon intensity than natural gas. Eventually, this could see the ErP rating given to electric boilers increase sooner rather than later.
Comparing the efficiency of electric, gas and oil boilers side-by-side can be challenging. Despite being 99-100% efficient, electric boilers tend to have an ErP rating of D. On the other hand, all condensing gas and oil boilers must reach a minimum efficiency level of 92%, yet this is enough to award them an ErP A-rating.
Manufacturer
Boiler model
Fuel type
Output
Energy efficiency
ErP rating
Ferroli
LEB TS
Electric
12 kW
99.5%
D
Worcester Bosch
Greenstar 9i
Gas
9 kW
93%
A
Baxi
412 Heat
Gas
12 kW
93%
A
Vaillant
Home 12kW
Gas
12 kW
89.4%
A
Electric Heating Company
Fusion Comet
Electric
12 kW
100%
D
Heatrae Sadia
Amptec
Electric
12 kW
99.8%
D
If you're looking for a boiler, we can help you find the right one for your home and needs. Our handy service can provide you with quotes from up to 3 different vetted heating engineers. By letting us do the work, you can sit back and find the best deal without having to go through the hassle of finding a professional that you can trust. Click the button below to receive up to 3 free, non-binding quotes so you can compare the best prices.
The cheapest combi boilers that run on gas have the lowest running costs which make them the most low-cost option. But for small homes, flats or properties off the gas network, an electric boiler is worth considering.
The installation of electric boilers is much simpler, the unit can be installed just about anywhere and no carbon is emitted.
Properties with more than a single bathroom would be better suited to a gas boiler as they can deliver more power.
Replacing a gas boiler with an electric boiler
Replacing a conventional gas boiler with an electric boiler can cost around £3,500. These costs include the price of the new boiler as well as the removal of hot water storage and cold water tank removal.
Replacing a gas boiler with an electric one in the UK can be expensive but also worth it in many circumstances (and certain grants can help mitigate the costs). It's far easier to replace a gas boiler with electric than vice versa, since newer electric models require far fewer external components than older ones (which may need a cistern or extensive piping to function properly).
This is also why electric boilers are ideal for freeing up space and can be the most suitable option as a boiler for a small flat. However, when you replace gas boilers with electric ones, you should consider how much hot water you use as electric boilers often can't support 2 showers running simultaneously.
Depending on the type of property you have, an electric boiler can be a very simple replacement for a gas boiler. Factors to consider include your overall energy consumption, the type of property you have (size and number of showers for example), and where you derive your energy from (renewables or fossil fuels).
Renewable alternatives to gas & electric boilers
Replacing a gas boiler with an electric boiler is a great way to lower the carbon footprint of a property. However, as electric boilers are only able to meet the heating and hot water demands of smaller properties, how can larger homes become more environmentally friendly?
Renewable heating systems such as heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels all convert natural resources into usable energy.
Heat pumps
Air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps extract heat from the air or ground. The air contains heat that can be used to heat a property even in temperatures below 0°C while underground temperatures sit at a constant 10-15°C.
Biomass boilers
A domestic biomass boiler operates much like a regular boiler.They burn plant-based organisms such as wood pellets, chips and logs. The heat produced when burning the material warms up the water and is then used to provide central heating and domestic hot water.
If you have access to an outdoor area then you could potentially fuel the biomass boiler for free. Some biomass boilers need to be fed the fuel manually while others do this automatically.
Solar thermal
Solar thermal panels use solar energy to heat the water stored in a hot water cylinder via an immersion heater. The water within is then circulated to hot water outlets around the home when needed. While solar thermal panels can provide you with free domestic hot water, a separate heating system is needed for central heating. This could either be a boiler, heat pump or infrared panels.
Infrared panels
Infrared panels are a recent development in home heating. While traditional radiators use convection to heat the space in a room, infrared directly heats the people and objects. This means that you could sit in a cold room but feel comfortably warm. Infrared heat is a very safe way to heat your home and is even used in baby incubators.
More alternatives to gas
Alternatives to gas boilers don't have to be renewable. LPG is another gaseous fuel, but rather than being delivered through a pipe network, it's stored on-site – similar to oil. For properties that aren't connected to the gas network, LPG and oil are effective alternatives to natural gas.
Standard heating systems, such as gas and oil boilers, are the most affordable.
Heating System
Potential Cost
Infrared Panels
£150 – £500+ (per panel)
Air Source Heat Pump
£4,000 – £11,000
Ground Source Heat Pump
£8,000 – £12,000
Solar Thermal
£3,000 – £7,000
Biomass Boiler
£4,000 – £21,000
LPG Boiler
£500 – £2,000
While renewable heating systems tend to be more expensive than electric and gas boilers, you may be able to earn payments through government grant schemes to support the cost of switching to a renewable system. Find out about the latest available government heating grants and schemes here.
If you're looking for a boiler, it can take time to find an engineer you can trust. While this could take days on your own, our service can streamline the process. By taking a few moments to complete our simple online form, you can get free boiler quotes from trusted installers in your area.
As soon as you’ve completed the form, you'll be matched with suitable installers. Up to 3 installers will then be in touch to give you a free quote for the work.
Comparing more than one quote will give you the confidence that you’re getting the most competitive price. This helps to avoid being overcharged.
Is it cheaper to heat water with gas or electric?
Natural gas is the cheapest way to heat your home. In terms of boiler running costs, gas is the cheapest option. Electric boilers have other benefits like the possibility of using renewables rather than fossil fuels.
Are electric boilers more efficient than gas?
Electric boilers have an efficiency rating of 99-100%, while gas boilers have a maximum efficiency of up to 93%. However, you also need to consider the ErP rating.
Are there alternatives to gas and electric boilers?
Yes, there are many renewable alternatives to both electric and gas boilers. Among them are heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal panels. All of them convert natural resources into usable energy.
What is the cost to replace a gas boiler with an electric boiler?
Replacing a conventional gas boiler with an electric boiler can cost around £3,500. This estimate includes both the new boiler and the replacement of various parts.
Nick has a wide range of experience writing about conventional and renewable heating solutions, and is always increasing his knowledge by researching any new heating technologies on the horizon.
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Electric boiler running costs are higher than gas boilers, but there are many benefits of an electric boiler that could save you money over the years. When you replace gas boilers with electric, UK government grants can help out.
