Using electricity is one of the most expensive ways to heat your home and where possible other options should be considered - such as the installation of a central heating system run on gas, or if the house is not near a gas connection, a renewable heating system like a heat pump or biomass boiler may be considered. 

Whilst the initial installation costs may be high, changing will save money in the long term. There is also the possibility of benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive and Green Deal when installing alternative heating systems. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that a new gas boiler will typically cost around £2,300 plus the cost of the radiators, but you could cut the cost of your heating bill by nearly half and save over £600 a year.


Can I improve my electric system?

If you cannot replace your storage heaters you need to ensure that you have a good understanding of how to use the controls to ensure you are not wasting energy. One benefit of electric heaters is that you can upgrade them one at a time. Modern slimline fan-assisted storage heaters are better insulated, so are able to store heat more efficiently until you need it. An additional benefit is that their heat output is more controllable, so you can heat a room up more quickly.  Modern controls can automatically set the input and output settings, based on your preferred room temperature, the actual room temperature and even the temperature outside.


Modern storage heaters vary considerably in price, but expect to pay between £200 - £500 each. Once you have replaced all your old heaters with fan assisted models and Celect type controls you could expect to save between £120 - £180 per year on your electricity bills.