Choosing a central heating system for your home is a big decision to make. Gas and electric heating systems both have their benefits and limitations that you need to be aware of before taking the plunge either way.
This simple guide will tell you all you need to know about both gas and electric heating and hopefully make your decision that bit easier.
Electric Heating
Benefits of Electric Heating
Easy to Install
Installing an electric heating system is extremely simple. There is no water involved so no need to extend or replace existing pipework or to purchase an entire boiler.
If you have plug sockets and wall space readily available, electric heating is almost as simple as plug in and go and if you have a decent tool kit and a bit of DIY experience you will even be able to complete the installation yourself.
Low Upkeep Costs
Boiler repairs and services are a costly expense that can be completely avoided by choosing electric radiators to heat your home.
Electric heating has also been proven to last up to 50% longer than traditional gas systems meaning that you will save money in the long term by not having to replace broken parts or changing the system again.
Future Proofing
Electric heating systems can very easily be combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and air source heat pumps.
Whether you already have one of these in place, or are considering doing so in the future, and an electric heating system makes your home primed to adapt to whatever renewable energy sources become available.
Limitations of Electric Heating
Warm-up time
Electric heating takes slightly longer to warm up your home than gas heating, so if you are looking for instant heat then gas may be a better alternative for you.
Electric heating is extremely flexible however, and you can programme the exact time you want your electric radiators to come on at and the precise temperate you want each room to be heated to. You can also use a smart app to adjust and set your radiators so with a little bit of planning slower heating times should not be a problem.
Higher Costs
The cost of electric heating Glasgow is reliant on the ever-rising prices of electricity meaning that if you are on a variable tariff, you may find yourself paying more than if you had a different heating system. However, given recent climate change regulations and more and more restrictions being placed on fossil fuel usage the price of oil and gas heating may soon overtake electric anyway.
If you choose to install a renewable source such as solar panels to power your electric heating however, these variable prices will not apply anyway, and you can even take advantage of the rising electric cost by selling your excess energy back to the national grid.
Gas Heating
Benefits of Gas Heating
Easy Switch
Installing a brand new electric heating system is easier than putting in a new gas system from scratch. However, if you already have gas heating in place it is much simpler to switch out your existing boiler for a new one than to make a switch to an electric boiler and radiators.
You already have all the pipes and infrastructure established in your home and you may not wish to go through the hassle and expense of changing it.
Quick Heating
Unlike electric heating, gas boilers produce maximum heat from the moment they are turned on as the burner is instantly at full strength when activated.
The quicker your home is heated the less time you need to have the system on for and the more money you will save. Gas heating generally needs to be on for far less time than electric systems and this is one of the major reasons that gas heating bills tend to be lower.
Limitations of Gas Heating
Less Efficient
Gas boilers max out their efficiency at around 90% and most fall below that. Electric heating systems are 100% efficient in comparison, turning 1kWh of electric to 1 unit of heat.
This means you will never be able to achieve the same efficiency using a gas boiler as an electric one although this is offset slightly by the higher cost of electricity.
Boiler Maintenance
Getting your gas boiler serviced is an expensive and ongoing cost that you need to consider when opting for gas central heating. If you choose not to have your boiler serviced you risk breakdown and the costs that bring, as well as risking carbon monoxide leaks by not monitoring its safety system.
Whatever heating system that you choose, Greener Energy Group can provide all the advice and expert installation you need, with award winning products and services at your disposal.
To get more information on any of our products call 03335 77 66 99 today, or take our home suitability survey.