Electrically powered central heating?

Brian M. Leahy

Brian M. Leahy

Brian M. Leahy

Associate
Joined
3 Jun 2017
Posts
34
Our remarkably stupid government has announced that Gas central heating boilers are to be scrapped in a few years suggesting some stupid alternatives.
I would like to know if there is any information available for electrically powered central heating systems.
 
Brian M. Leahy said:
I would like to know if there is any information available for electrically powered central heating systems.
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To be fair about 3 seconds on google will tell you there's a vast amount of information out there which will more than likely answer any question you have.

Google 'air source heat pump' and go nuts, there are other alternatives as well but that's probably the 'biggest' electric heating option.
 
Use Google to search for comparisons but if you want first hand advice I have an ashp installed in a 1930's semi detached house with some insulation and it works almost the same as the gas boiler it replaced. It is slower to warm up and the water temperature is lower so bigger radiators are usually advised (but not always needed, depends on how the existing system is setup) or under floor heating to maximise the heat output. For me the reason was to get rid of gas to the house completely, that way I only have 1 standing charge to contend with. I receive a government grant every 3 months which was based on the gas boiler running cost, that lasts for 7 years.
 
Brian M. Leahy said:
Our remarkably stupid government has announced that Gas central heating boilers are to be scrapped in a few years suggesting some stupid alternatives.
I would like to know if there is any information available for electrically powered central heating systems.
Click to expand...
Also look up storage heaters, and reflect on why you don't see them in much new stuff.
 
We have a very old boiler. I wonder if it's a good idea to get a new gas one just before this ban comes in.

A much as I want to go green. It looks like without significant advances these are not good for either heating or especially your pocket. The up front cost would be ridiculous for the system and insulation.

Poorer people haven't got a chance here.


What happens if your boiler becomes unrepairable but you literally cannot afford the heat pump system? You'll be completely without heating.

I understand this is only a ban for new builds? But if something does come in as a full ban there's going to need to be significant government support.
 
tonys said:
Use Google to search for comparisons but if you want first hand advice I have an ashp installed in a 1930's semi detached house with some insulation and it works almost the same as the gas boiler it replaced. It is slower to warm up and the water temperature is lower so bigger radiators are usually advised (but not always needed, depends on how the existing system is setup) or under floor heating to maximise the heat output. For me the reason was to get rid of gas to the house completely, that way I only have 1 standing charge to contend with. I receive a government grant every 3 months which was based on the gas boiler running cost, that lasts for 7 years.
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So to save a few quid on a standing charge you fitted a heat pump? I guess the other difference is the type of house, I'd expect yours to me warmed than a detached, but colder than a terraced.
 
I was going to replace the boiler and hot water tank in any case so it wasn't just to get rid of gas. Only 1 radiator was replaced with a bigger one but even that really wasn't necessary for the size of the room. If the system ever broke down I have oil storage heaters and fan heaters to keep warm so I would assume other People could do the same.People can put in AC units to keep cool which pump out heat contributing to global warming but that's fine even though I have the same unit.
 
A thermal store with an immersion heater can provide central heating and hot water without the need of a gas boiler.
 
If electricity cost the same as gas, I'm sure a lot more people would consider switching over to electric heating.
 
I think the problem is the resistance to the new technologies. People have used gas and coal for fuel for ages and this new fanged stuff confuses them. Weren't gas price's astronomical a few weeks ago?
 
tonys said:
I think the problem is the resistance to the new technologies. People have used gas and coal for fuel for ages and this new fanged stuff confuses them.
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Coal? Do you think anyone over 30 lived in the Victorian times?

No, it's cost. Why would you pay more, to install something that costs more to run than what you already have?
 
It certainly isn't resistance to new technologies, people love new technologies!

(not that heat pumps are new.... its very old tech)
 
I think there's a few options but none really relevant unless your existing gas boiler breaks.

We've had electric panel heaters that were on a central system that could program each individually on a schedule and they were very reasonable to run with economy 7 and possibly warm wise. Depends how much of the home is being heated, in a flat on your own it was easy to keep doors closed and only heat the open plan lounge / diner / kitchen if necessary when electric was at peak cost.

Solar plus battery storage and electric panel heaters or storage heaters plus solar hot water would seem a better way to go than heat pumps but since we've not long had a new gas combi boiler we wont be rushing to move over to renewables anytime soon.
 
People used coal and gas until electricity came on the scene. Do we use gas fridges or gas lights now? There is time for people to decide on the energy source that they want to use but I agree that governments have made some poor choices in how they have approached the energy problem. Each way of generating electricity has pros and cons but they look as if they just go with which ever is flavour of the month. I have no problem with the ASHP but you need to see if it is worth the investment for your own needs. I would have solar panels and battery if we intended to stay in our house.
 
Why not? The solar panels are only an extra supply so as to not use from the grid therefore reducing your bill. What about people who have got solar panels and gone and got an electric car?
 
As far as I'm aware the plan is to phase out natural gas and pump hydrogen down the existing network instead. I think most modern boilers will work with a percentage of hydrogen but ones that run entirely on hydrogen aren't here yet. The only catch is the pipelines in the network need replacing with plastic rather than iron, but this has been happening for years so it's getting there.
 
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