Popular Questions
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Heating Advice
I have a Back Boiler. I am wondering whether to replace it with an electric system rather than gas for future economy - renewables may make electricity cheaper. I would like to retain the very useful hot water tank in the airing cupboard.
In response to the first art of your enquiry, while electric heating systems are available (both night storage systems and “wet systems” using conventional radiators with electric boilers) these are probably most effective for smaller, newer properties, such as flats, which are well-insulated and with low heating and hot water demand. Although night storage systems can and do use off-peak electricity, in colder weather and with poorly insulated properties there may be considerable use of normal tariff electricity, resulting in high running costs. In general terms a gas-fired heating system is still likely to prove the most economical, even with current gas price increases.
It is generally seen as doubtful that renewables will make electricity cheaper – although it will be greener. Much of the long-term cost of establishing new renewable supplies will probably have to be borne by the consumer. While the future cost of gas is also difficult to predict, in the shorter term gas is likely to remain the most widely used form of heating.
With regard to the second part of your enquiry, it is not possible to use a back-boiler (even the new Baxi model) without, as it were, the front.
Given that you wish to get rid of the gas fire, this means that the most viable option would be a fully-pumped gas central heating system with a conventional boiler. If you wish to get rid of the loft tank, but keep a hot water store and immersion, then the best option would be an unvented system, which uses a boiler to heat a cylinder supplied direct from the mains water supply (rather than from the tank in the loft as at present). These systems are well-proven and are becoming increasingly common in the UK. You would need to replace the existing tank with a new one, designed with the correct piping and controls, but this would probably fit directly in place of the existing one.
The possible location of a new boiler would best be determined following inspection by a competent (and Gas-Safe registered) installer, who could advise you on this and on any other questions you may have.