Electric v Gas Boilers

[Roger Welton]

I'd go for a boiler that is easy to convert to (and back from) LPG running off a four pack until mains gas is installed then change over.

 

[dancinplumba]

Hmm!

I can imagine in twenty years time electricity may be the cheapest to run. But then it depends how successful "fraking" works out. In the US gas prices are virtually on the floor because of it. Here though you know what its like they will probably find some excuse to put prices up not down. Then there are all the environmental aspects of gas pollutants to be considered as well.

I think tidal power could help a lot, but we do not seem to hear much about it, the same with fuel cell development. The thing is they produce electricity not gas.

What about hydrogen fuel cell ? Could a boiler run on hydrogen ? That's good idea

 

[Nostrum]

Wouldn't even look at an electric boiler, would consider an air source heat pump though depending on your house and it's heat loss. Might get paid for the heat you produce next year and you'll get £800 towards the install cost.

if you wait until next year though you won't get the tariffs due to having gas. That said gas may still be the better option.

 

[Dannypipe]

I'd go for a boiler that is easy to convert to (and back from) LPG running off a four pack until mains gas is installed then change over.

Why didn't I think of that. Great idea.

 

[Orry Clayton]

Keep your oil; if it's not broken, don't fix it.

If it stops working, then maybe. If there is nothing wrong with it, keep it oil.

 

[Bernie2]

Yes dancinplumba, I suspect somebody somewhere is trying to do just that. I was surprised a few years ago to learn Rolls Royce were going into fuel cell technology with the idea of replacing district and local electric transformers with fuel cells. It seems only wind power gets the headlines. The many different sort of heat engines are also good but unfortunately usually only as a top up and I suppose many are impractical to install in cities.