Electric central heating

Description
Conventional central heating using an electric boiler.

Unit cost of installation
£2500 depending on the detailed specification

Bulk cost of installation
Data not available

Indicative energy cost and carbon emissions
Limited data is available; however electric central heating is likely to have the same, or slightly lower, running costs and carbon emissions as storage heating. In terms of running costs much will depend on the tariff used.

Maintenance
Little maintenance is needed, with no mandatory annual inspection.

Lifetime
15 years for a well maintained system

Technical suitability
Storage heaters are used with non-standard tariffs which require a separate wiring circuit and meter to be installed.

The use of non-standard tariffs may require a separate wiring circuit and meter to be installed. Systems should be sized to expected heat loss. Electric boilers do not have a flue and therefore do not need to be installed on an external wall and can be installed anywhere in the dwelling.

Non-technical constraints
Education of system controls is essential. It is also important to ensure that a suitable tariff is used.

Ancillary benefits
Electric Storage heating would be an option where gas would be unsuitable (e.g. in tower blocks / flats).

Highly controllable, providing rapid response times, particularly for radiator-based systems. Safer than some other forms of heating such as open fires and some electric appliances due to absence of very hot surfaces.

Improved heating (coupled with insulation and ventilation measures) will reduce incidence of condensation and mould growth, thus decreasing maintenance costs for the building fabric and reducing damage (resulting from mould growth) to occupants possessions. There may also be benefits to occupants health.

Highly controllable, providing rapid response times, particularly for radiator-based systems. Safer than some other forms of heating such as open fires and some electric appliances due to absence of very hot surfaces.

An option where gas would be unsuitable (e.g. in tower blocks / flats).

Trigger points for work
Ideally installed after insulation works. Major refurbishments

Performance Limitations
None

Technical Guidance Available
» GPG 345 'Domestic heating by electricity'