Adam Taylor from Beesley & Fildes, discusses the potential of electric boilers as an affordable, easy to install alternative to both gas and air source heat pumps
The energy cap for domestic properties is due to rise on 1 April and the Government is already warning that there may be more price rises to come. Meanwhile businesses unable to benefit from the cap are also faced with the challenges of increased costs and continued price volatility.
With challenging carbon emissions targets to achieve, the UK Government is keen to nudge homeowners, landlords and homebuilders towards alternative approaches to heating our properties over the next few years. There is a keen appetite, among both consumers and businesses to embrace renewable energy and look for technologies that are cleaner as well as more cost effective and reliable, but what’s the answer?
The smart money is tipping nuclear and wind power to be the target areas for investment when the energy strategy is released, but the horse the Government is backing for domestic properties is air source heat pumps. A grant scheme has been made available to encourage take-up of air source heat pumps but, even with the financial incentives, the upfront costs are high and the payback period is considerable. Moreover, air source heat pumps are not suitable for all properties, they require electricity to operate the pump, and they can be difficult to retrofit.
While there does need to be a focus on transitioning domestic heating systems to more sustainable options, there also needs to be more creativity and pragmatism applied to this issue. Homeowners, landlords and developers that have the right resources and conditions in their properties can choose to invest in air source heat pumps and other renewable energy sources. Those who do not, also need an affordable way to heat their homes – and hot water supply – using renewable energy where possible. Electric boilers offer an affordable, easy to retrofit, fit and forget solution for doing just that.
An easy alternative
The need to transition from gas to alternative energy sources for heat and hot water is environmental, financial and political, which makes for a compelling need to find viable solutions. But any transition is easier if we can find an alternative that is similar enough to what we’re used to – being easy and familiar, while still providing the advantages of something different. Electric boilers provide that potential.
For existing properties, electric boilers can be installed using legacy pipework and radiators. In effect, the electric boiler is a like-for-like switch for its gas predecessor. This not only minimises disruption for the homeowner or landlord, but also reduces the installation costs and avoids any additional costs involved in modifying the property for new technology.
For landlords, it’s a particularly beneficial switch, because an electric boiler requires no flue, no gas safety certification and no mandatory maintenance inspections. For rented properties and social housing, an electric boiler reduces maintenance costs and provides an assurance of tenant safety, with no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks or explosion.
Myth busting
One of the common push backs when it comes to electric boilers is the running costs. Electric boilers often seem cost prohibitive compared to gas, but they can be operated using renewable energy sources to keep running costs down. An ideal configuration for a smaller property, for example, would be an electric combi boiler and a solar power installation. For larger properties, an electric boiler combined with an unvented cylinder can take advantage of lower electricity tariffs during the night to heat enough hot water to last for the whole day at low cost. Electric boilers also provide an ideal energy source for underfloor heating, delivering a solution for contemporary homes and new builds.
Government policy, developers, landlords and homeowners are not just considering the financial costs of alternatives to gas, they are also focused on the environmental costs of heating homes. In addition to combining electric boilers with renewable energy sources installed at the property, homeowners and tenants can choose to select energy providers that supply customers exclusively from renewable sources. In this way, electric boilers can contribute to reduced carbon emissions while offering reliability, ease of installation and low maintenance benefits.
The other key factor that must be considered is comfort. Contemporary electric boilers are efficient and reliable; the key is to specify the correct size and type of boiler for the property. Just like gas boilers, they can also benefit from the use of smart controls, enabling the homeowner to programme in their own requirements or control their heating remotely for improved comfort, energy efficiency and cost management.
Easier up-sell
For heating engineering businesses, the prospect of moving away from gas boilers to new renewable technologies is daunting, because it requires both additional skills and an upsell to customers who may recognise the environmental value of renewables but be unwilling to pay the price of higher purchase and installation costs.
Electric boilers are a much easier sell to the customer and a much easier transition for the installer, while providing improved sustainability for the property.
With the investment in sustainable energy infrastructure promising low costs and environmental impact from electric heating, CO2 savings compared to gas, and practical considerations compared to heat pumps, electric boilers should be an important part of the future of domestic heating and hot water.
Adam Taylor is a heating and plumbing product specialist for Beesley & Fildes