Comparing Electric and Gas heating costs

[yottie]

Is there a simple way (formula ? ) to see if it is cheaper to leave the gas c/h on all the time rather than keep topping up the temp with an electric fire when necessary.

 

[flameport]

Yes. Look at your gas and electricity bills to find the cost per kWh.

Electricity is typically 4x more than gas, which even allowing for your boiler not being 100% efficient means that using an electric fire when you have gas heating available is just throwing money away.

 

[JohnD]

you do of course mean, heat your home when you are in it, and not when it is empty?

I presume your home has a timer or programmer, and a thermostat?

Why do you find it necessary to run electric heaters?

 

[mogget]

Why do you find it necessary to run electric heaters?

I'm guessing that the boiler/rads are undersized and thus struggling to heat the rooms in a timely fashion

 

[yottie]

That's interesting about being 4x. Is an open flame gas fire more efficient than an electric one, I've been told that most of the heat goes up the flue with the gas. I seem to be confusing the issue here I know. With the recent very cold spell it seemed prudent to just heat the room used most of the time, the full c/h to come on twice a day for about 90 mins each time. Opinions seemed to differ on this, am I perhaps asking "how long is a piece of string" !

 

[JohnD]

I don't know what your question is.

 

[big-all]

the actual amount depends on your energy tariff
look at your energy bill and it will tell you the cost per kw or kwh[killowatt hour] that will help you decide

but as said its always cheaper to use gas for heating unless you use somthing like a heat pump then comparable output if set up properly