Heating our buildings is currently responsible for more than a third of the UK’s overall carbon emissions, with more than half of those produced by British homes.
And with the UK’s plan to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, we may soon start to see some drastic actions being taken, such as a ban on the installation of traditional gas boilers in all homes, or the taxation on fossil fuels.
But if gas boilers are banned and fossil fuel taxes imposed – what are the alternatives? And how easy is it to switch from gas to all-electric heating?
Benefits of electric heating
There are many benefits when it comes to switching from gas to electric heating, including improved energy efficiency, reduced running and maintenance costs, increased control, and minimal environmental impact.
By powering your electric heating with renewable energy, you are not only making a better choice for the environment but potentially for your family as well since there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you use electric radiators.
The switch to electric heating in your home will also provide you with the ability to control the heaters individually through a thermostat or even an app. This means that you will have the power to heat only certain rooms and switch the heating off in rooms that are not in use, maintaining optimal heating in the areas where you spend the most time. Using your electricity in this way can save you money, as you’re only ever paying for the energy you consume.
Another advantage of an electric heating system is its durability and maintenance. Installing an electric heating system is quicker, cheaper, and easier than a traditional heating system that requires you to dig up the pipes. And while a boiler has to be serviced annually, electric radiators are essentially maintenance-free, eliminating the need for costly plumber call-outs.
How easy is it to switch from gas to electricity?
So if you want to make the switch from gas to electricity, how do you go about it?
Arguably, the most time-consuming and pricey task you need to undertake in this process is the actual removal of your gas central heating. This is because you will need to call a qualified gas engineer who can decommission your gas boiler and then remove the pipes and radiators around the house.
However, when you get to the installation of the new electric radiators the process is much simpler and straightforward, as it only requires a connection to the mains. So, overall, making the switch to a more efficient and eco-friendly electric solution isn’t as difficult as you might think.
Going all-electric
With a wide choice of advanced electric heating products that are easy to instal, you can fit out every single room of your property with a heater that was specially designed for its conditions.
For instance, while electric radiators are suitable for all-day use throughout your home, an electric towel rail will provide a more fitting heating solution for your bathroom, and your living room will gain a warmer, cosier glow with an electric fire!
Electric underfloor heating is also a very popular heating option in an all-electric home, as it provides a pleasant warmth underfoot and it’s invisible at the same time. However, because underfloor heating involves ripping up the flooring to install it, many prefer to restrict its use to only certain areas of the house such as the bathroom or under particular items of furniture, while using electric radiators as their main source of heating.
Finally, there are also heat pumps that have super-efficient electric technology for heating (and cooling) homes and heating water. Heat pumps are not only a core technology in combating climate pollution by cleaning up the air inside your home of particulate matter from fires, mould, and allergens, but they also enable homes to use the cleanest and cheapest electricity available to heat their water.
Looking ahead…
Over the past couple of decades, the heating industry has made significant steps towards introducing more efficient heating systems, with the development of combi boilers, energy-efficient pumps and a wider range of more effective radiators. With this, the idea of a new and improved, efficient, environmentally conscious and all-electric home is becoming more plausible and desirable than ever.