Electric Boilers vs Gas Boilers. What are the differences, pros and cons?
What is a gas boiler?
A gas boiler has two jobs which are to keep your homes warm and to provide hot water. To put it simply, it works like a thermostat controlled fire so that you can get the right temperature for you and your home.
A gas boiler works by burning natural gas, a naturally occurring fossil fuel which is extracted from underground, to create enough heat to heat the water you need to use. The hot water then either travels directly to your taps and showers or circulates through your central heating system to warm your radiators.
What is an electric boiler?
Electric and gas boilers work in the same way by heating water for radiators and providing hot water for your home. The main difference is that instead of burning gas to heat water, it uses an electric current to do so, just like a big kettle!
What are the differences between electric and gas boilers?
There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to which boiler best fits your home, so it's important to make the right choice for you based on your heating and hot water needs. Some things to look at are: the costs involved, how they impact the environment, how efficient they are, their lifespan and which is safer!
Costs
| Electric boiler | Gas boiler | |
| Installation costs | Average cost: £3,000 to £4,200. Installing an electric boiler should only take 1-3 days. They have less parts, so typically this is an easier installation. | Average cost: around £3,000. Similarly a gas boiler takes 1-3 days to install. Although more complex installations can take longer. |
| Running costs | Electricity is more expensive per kWh, making it costlier to run despite its efficiency. If you run your electric boiler for 70 hours a month it'll cost you £285.60(1). Costs can be reduced by heating water during off-peak times or using solar panels. | Gas is generally cheaper per kWh, making it less expensive to run despite it being less efficient Running your gas boiler for 70 hours a month would cost you less than an electric boiler at £86.52(1).
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| Maintenance costs | Regular servicing is needed for smooth operation. Although, fewer parts reduce the likelihood of breakdowns. Repairs are similarly priced to gas boilers. | Regular servicing is needed for smooth operation as repairs can be expensive. |
Environmental impact
If your priority is cutting carbon then an electric boiler could be the right choice for you. Rather than burning fossil fuels, they use electricity to heat water which means there are no emissions. If you want to go a step further you could invest in a renewable source such as solar panels and reach net-zero emissions!
Efficiency
Electric boilers are often more modern and more efficient than gas boilers. They can average 99-100% efficiency in comparison to gas boilers which tend to stay at the 93% mark(2).
However, it's important to note that when it comes to power, gas boilers are often more powerful and are better when it comes to heating a large home with high demands. Electric boilers can't support two showers running at the same time, so are better suited to smaller properties with low needs.
Looking to move away from boilers altogether? Heat pumps are a great option as they are up to 300% more efficient than a standard gas boiler(3).
Lifespan
Electric boilers have a lifespan of around 15-25 years in comparison to gas boilers which have a lifespan of 10-15 years. The main reason is because they have less parts in comparison to a gas boiler which means there are fewer parts that need maintaining or replacing.
To keep your boiler running for as long as possible it's worth getting boiler cover, a policy that helps protect your boiler from unexpected breakdowns and repairs.
Safety
When it comes to you and your family, nothing is more important than keeping everyone safe. While most modern boilers are safe, there are some differences between an electric and gas boiler that you should be aware of.
Electric boilers don't directly use fossil fuels which means that you can rest easy and don't need to worry about gas leaks.
Gas boilers do however use fossil fuels, which means that there is a risk of a gas leak in your boiler. This increases the chance of carbon monoxide being present which is poisonous and can often go undetected since it is an odourless gas. If you feel that a gas boiler is the right choice for your home you must make sure there is a carbon monoxide alarm installed in every room which has a fuel-burning appliance in it.
Pros and cons of an electric boiler
| Pros | Cons |
| Installation is easier and more flexible | They are more expensive to run |
| They're better for the environment | Electric boilers can struggle to heat a larger home |
| There is no risk of a gas leak | Unless you have renewable energy, your electricity will still be made by burning fossil fuels |
| They tend to last for 15-25 years | If you had a power cut, you would lose access to heating and hot water |
Pros and cons of a gas boiler
| Pros | Cons |
| They run more cheaply than electric boilers | There is more of a risk of problems occurring due to there being more parts |
| They can heat larger homes more efficiently | Not all homes are connected to the gas network |
| If it needs replacing this is easier and cheaper to do as they are more readily available | Risk of carbon monoxide leak |
| New gas boilers are all A-rated when it comes to energy efficiency | They take up more space than their electric counterparts |
Can I replace my gas boiler with an electric boiler and vice versa?
Yes, it is possible to both replace a gas boiler with an electric boiler and an electric boiler with a gas boiler.
When it comes to replacing a gas boiler with an electric one it is a much easier process. This is because modern models have less external parts which means that they are easier to install in your home wherever you'd like.
Replacing an electric boiler is a more expensive process as a new feed will need to be taken from the main to set up a new supply, and a meter may need to be installed.
Looking for something different?
You could consider replacing your boiler with an air source heat pump. Air source heat pumps are 3-4 times more efficient than a gas boiler, are low maintenance and use renewable energy. With prices starting from £3,999(4)after the government grant (Price assumes reuse of a suitable existing hot water cylinder. Homes requiring a new cylinder will have an additional cost), there's never been a better time to upgrade!
Ready to upgrade?
Whether you're looking to repair your boiler, get a new boiler or explore electric heating options, EDF has a range of solutions to suit your home.
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