Boilers are considered central heating systems because the heat generated by the equipment is spread throughout the home. However, unlike other heating methods, there is typically a small lag time between the boiler turning on and the heat being dispersed.
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Most boilers produce steam or hot water using natural gas or heating oil, and are either condensing or non-condensing (see below). Boilers are required by the federal government to be at least 80 percent efficient, and can have efficiencies as high as 98.5 percent. Some boilers can be expensive to install, but all types typically last 15 to 30 years, and you can avoid possible repair headaches by reading our guide to the Most and Least Reliable Boilers. You should also look at Consumer Reports’ and surveys of 2,137 boilers, owned by members who installed a new unit between and , to get a clearer picture of which brands are preferred by members.
Gas-Fired Boilers
Gas-fired boilers are fueled by either natural gas or propane, and are highly efficient. However, natural gas is not available everywhere, and some homeowners at the end of a gas pipeline pay higher fuel prices. Propane typically is more expensive than natural gas, but it’s available throughout the U.S.
Oil-Fired Boilers
If you buy a oil-fired boiler, you’ll need heating oil delivered and stored in tanks like the one above, and your operating costs will be affected by the rise and fall of oil prices.
Some boiler manufacturers now offer models that use biodiesel fuel, which produces less pollution than regular heating oil. Depending on oil prices, biodiesel heating oil can be cost-competitive with standard oil. However, because it burns cleaner and lubricates the system, biodiesel fuel can reduce your boiler service and cleaning costs.
Electric Boilers
Electric boilers are highly energy efficient. However, they typically are not economical because electricity costs more than other fuel types in many parts of the country. If you are interested in electric heating, consider a heat pump.
Steam Radiators
Steam heating is one of the oldest heating technologies, and upright metal steam radiators positioned along walls in older homes are common. They can provide consistent, comfortable heat.
Steam radiators need some simple maintenance to work properly and efficiently. In addition, a radiator can warp or create a groove in the floor. If that happens, the radiator may tilt, causing it to make loud banging noises. Plus, steam radiators on exterior walls can radiate some heat to the outdoors, and limit your ability to position furniture around the room.
Hot Water Radiators
More common in newer homes, hot water radiators run along a room’s baseboard or stand upright like a steam radiator. Hot water radiators can reduce your home’s energy consumption because they allow you to control the temperature of each floor or a large space. A heating professional can install automatic valves on the radiators, and connect them to separate thermostats.
The most common problem with hot water radiators is unwanted air in the system. Plus, like steam models, upright hot water radiators can limit your ability to position furniture.
Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating
Hydronic (water) systems are the most common radiant floor heating systems. A boiler heats water and flows it to tubing under the flooring, which acts as a giant radiator. Hydronic systems can heat a whole house, but they’re mainly used to heat a single room or area, and some can be zoned so thermostats regulate each space.
Hydronic radiant heating is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating, too. It also doesn’t distribute allergens like forced-air systems can, and uses little electricity. However, hydronic systems can be expensive to install and to repair, and may not be as efficient if the floor is covered with thick carpeting.
Condensing vs. Non-Condensing
All boilers are either condensing or non-condensing. A condensing boiler concentrates water vapor produced in the heating process, and uses waste heat to preheat cold water entering the boiler. Condensing boilers are extremely energy efficient because they can provide ample heat while operating at lower temperatures.
Non-condensing boilers typically operate at higher temperatures, and some heat ends up being vented outside. Non-condensing boilers are 80 percent to 88 percent efficient, while condensing boilers have efficiencies greater than 88 percent.
Sealed Combustion vs. Non-Sealed Combustion
Boilers are either sealed-combustion or non-sealed combustion units. You should buy one that is sealed combustion because it brings outside air into the burner and directs exhaust gases outside. Non-sealed combustion boilers draw heated air in and then send it up the chimney, wasting the energy used to heat the air. Also, sealed-combustion boilers won’t introduce dangerous gases into your home.
Climate
If you live you in a cold climate, a boiler may be a good choice for your home. But if you live in a warm climate, you may not need a central heating system. In that case, consider a heat pump, which can satisfy your air conditioning needs as well as moderate heating requirements.
Fuel Type
Gas-fueled boilers may cost less to operate than oil-fueled ones if heating oil prices are high. However, the fuel type you choose will depend on what’s available in your area.
Sizing
The boiler’s size is as important as its efficiency. If the boiler is undersized, it won’t work efficiently; if it is oversized, it will cost you more to heat your home. Work with a heating and cooling professional, who should use an Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J calculation to determine the right boiler type and size. The calculation will take into consideration your home’s foundation, wall thicknesses, insulation values, windows, air filtration and more.
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Cooling
Boilers only provide heat; so you’ll need a cooling system, too, if you want to air condition your home.
Boilers are rated with an annual fuel-utilization-efficiency (AFUE) score, which tells you how much energy is being converted into useable heat. New boilers must have an AFUE rating of at last 80 percent, and high-efficiency models are 90 to 98.5 percent efficient. The higher the rating, the higher the equipment cost, but the lower the operating cost.
For example, say your current boiler’s AFUE score is 65 percent and you pay $1,300 a year for fuel bills. If you install a high-efficiency natural gas system with an AFUE of 90 percent, your total yearly savings should be about $364.
Unless it’s an emergency, and your current boiler is no longer functioning, don’t buy a new boiler until you make the rest of your home as energy efficient as possible, because reducing your home’s heating load will allow you to buy a smaller, less expensive system. If needed, you should:
• Add insulation to your attic and walls.
• Add weather stripping around doors and caulk around windows to keep heat from escaping.
• Properly insulate cooling system ducts in crawl spaces and attics.
• Clean your chimney.
• Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise to blow rising heat down.
• Install and set programmable thermostats to automatically lower the temperature at night and while you are away. Programmable thermostats can save you 10 percent annually on your heating bills.
Boilers should be serviced annually by a heating professional to ensure efficient heating. The technician should:
Hot Water Boilers
• Test the pressure-relief valve and high-limit control.
• Inspect the pressure tank.
• Clean the heat exchanger.
Steam Boilers
• Drain some water to remove sediments.
• Check the safety controls.
• Analyze the water and add chemicals if needed.
• Clean the heat exchanger.
Both Systems
• Check the vent connection pipe and chimney to see if they are deteriorating.
• Check the heat exchangers and pipes to see if they are leaking.
• Adjust the water and air temperature settings for optimum efficiency and comfort.
Upright and Baseboard Radiators
• Make sure radiators are not obstructed by furniture, carpeting, rugs, and drapes.
• Be sure to release trapped air from hot water radiators at the beginning of the heating season and possibly one more time during the heating season. If you are unsure how to perform this task, contact a heating professional.
• Place shims under the radiators so they are pitched slightly toward the pipe in a one-pipe system or toward the steam trap in a two-pipe system.
• Place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and exterior walls to keep heat from escaping.
How we heat homes is changing and the journey towards reducing carbon emissions is driving it. Gas boilers will be banned from new build developments by and by , all gas boilers installations will be phased out. Banning gas boilers is just one of the many strategies to reduce carbon emissions by changing the way we heat buildings in the UK.
In this article we cover one of the alternatives - electric boilers and if they really are a viable alternative to gas.
Who should consider an electric boiler?
Electric boilers are popular for homes that are off grid with no access to mains gas. With the increase in oil prices and the push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, electric boilers are becoming a much more realistic option for traditional homes in areas that would have relied on gas too. They can also be easily integrated into existing heating systems.
An electric boiler might be a suitable option to you if:
• You are off the gas grid
• You are looking for an alternative to an oil boiler
• You are eco-conscious and keen to reduce your carbon emissions
• Your home isn't suitable for a heat pump. A reason could be that you have limited outdoor space
How does an electric boiler work?
Electric boilers work similarly to gas boilers. Cold water is sourced from the mains water supply and electricity is used to pass electric current through heating element within the electric boiler to heat the water. When the cold water passes over the heating element, heat is transferred which results in hot water that can either be transferred around the house or stored for use later. However, the way in which an electric boiler works, and stores water can vary depending on the type of electric boiler you decide is right for you.
What types of electric boiler are there?
Not too dissimilar to gas boilers, there are various types of electric boilers to choose from. There are three common types which include electric combi boilers, heat-only and system boilers.
Electric combi boilers
Similar in appearance to a gas combi boiler, it’s a single unit that provides both hot water taps and for your central heating. An electric combi boiler heats water on demand which uses more power than the other two options we’ll cover next. One of the great things about an electric combi boiler is that they don’t require hot water storage cylinders which makes them a solid choice for homes which have less available space.
Electric heat-only boilers
Sometimes known as flow boilers, this type of electric boiler is best suited to larger properties that have a higher demand for hot water. Unlike electric combi boilers, heat-only boilers heat water and store it in a hot water tank for use when needed. The heated water is distributed throughout a home using motorised valves, pumps, and tanks. As well as a hot water tank, heat-only electric boilers also need a cold-water feed tank that gets filled up from the mains water supply which means using a heat-only electric boiler takes up more space in the home.
Electric system boilers
Imagine taking the external components like a pump from a heat-only boiler system, then including them in the body of the boiler, this is a system boiler. They also don’t take up as much space because they only need a hot water tank. You’ll find that system boilers can vary, with some not requiring a hot water cylinder because it is integrated within the boiler which is designed to fit snugly within an airing cupboard.
What are the advantages of electric boilers?
Almost 100% efficient!
Electric boilers provide heating and hot water much more efficiently than gas boilers. They use any combustion meaning no loses through flue gases, this means that ultimately, you’ll use less energy to meet your heating requirements.
Lower carbon emissions
Unlike gas boilers, electric boilers do not produce any carbon emissions, so they are great if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s important to note that to make the electric heating system truly emission-free, the electricity used to power it must be 100% from renewable sources such as wind or solar.
Minimal maintenance
Ongoing maintenance costs is where gas boilers start to lose out. The average one-off annual boiler service can range between £80 – £120. But there are products such as HomePlan by Corgi which provide annual boiler and home emergency cover.
With electric boilers, you don’t need annual servicing or much maintenance.
No flue needed!
Electric boilers don’t produce any waste gas and therefore don’t need a flue which means that you have greater flexibility when it comes to installing one.
No risk of harmful gas leaks
Faulty gas boilers can produce carbon monoxide which is a highly poisonous gas – a silent killer. It’s one of the key reasons why you must get gas boilers serviced annually. There’s no risk of harmful gases coming from an electric boiler.
Compact & quiet
Electric boilers are generally more compact than their gas counterparts which helps to overcome any challenges when it comes to space. Also, because there are fewer moving parts, they operate quieter than gas alternatives which is great if they are installed in a room that is used often.
Compatibility with existing heating systems
Unsurprisingly electric boilers work with existing heating systems such as wet underfloor heating, traditional central heating and conventional room thermostats.
What are the disadvantages of electric boilers?
Running costs
There is no hiding the fact that the cost per kWh of electricity is more expensive than gas, however, the difference between gas and electricity prices could narrow over the long-term, but for now the reality is electricity is more expensive.
When considering an electric boiler as your heating source people often factor in installation of renewable sources of energy for example PV. This perfectly complements an electric heating system by reducing the running costs and has a very attractive return on investment.
Not suitable for all homes
Generally, correctly specified, electric boilers do not require the same output as the gas boilers they are replacing. However, in larger homes the size (kW) required can put too much demand on incoming electrical supply. Going forward of course, the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) will likely be providing larger electrical supplies to domestic properties as part of the drive to facilitate micro generation.
Warranty duration
When comparing the warranty of an electric boiler with a gas boiler, you’ll find that typically warranties for electric boilers only cover 2 or 3 years. It could be the case that there is more competition amongst gas boilers which could encourage manufacturers to offer greater incentives such as longer warranties.
What size electric boiler do you need?
For a heating only boiler, the general rule of thumb is to allow 1.5kW of boiler output per radiator. So, if you have 8 radiators you should install a 12kW boiler. But it’s important to remember that some radiators are going to be much larger than others and used at different times. So, it’s worth considering whether you need 1.5kW per radiator in your home.
For example, a small radiator or bathroom towel rail may only require 500W or less, so that is 1kW off your required boiler output straight away, and 1kW of electricity that you don’t need to spend money on.
If you are specifying a boiler to provide hot water for heating and showering, the popular school of thought is to add 3kW to the required output of the boiler. This is considered a ‘failsafe’ but is not really needed, even if you have an electric combi boiler. If you want to know why, we’ve covered it in detail in ‘Can you swap out a gas or oil boiler for an electric one?’.
If you are replacing an existing gas or oil boiler with electric, you may need a smaller boiler heat output. A heat loss calculation will help your installer decide what size electric boiler you need. If too big, your new electric boiler will place unnecessary demands on the electricity network, and you could see unexpected rises in your energy bills. If your electric boiler’s output is too low, it would potentially struggle to meet the heating and hot water demands of your home.
How much do electric boilers cost?
How much an electric boiler costs will vary depending on the manufacturer and the type. Lower output and smaller models will cost around £600 to just over £1,000. Whereas larger and more powerful electric boilers could cost up to £2,500.
Also consider the installation cost too. If you are simply replacing an existing electric boiler the cost will be significantly less than replacing a gas boiler system. Installation costs will vary from installer so it’s worth getting three quotes to compare and check that you are getting a fair price.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Integrated Condensing Steam Boiler. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
So, is an electric boiler right for you?