Water heating. Gas or Electric cheaper?

[braniff]

There are many variables, I know, so I wondered whether there was a general answer (I'm not quite concerned enough to do a scientific analysis). When I don't need CH, I wonder whether using the immersion heater would be cheaper than the boiler.

1995 installation, with the original Potterton Prima F which is in good health. No details on the tank I'm afraid. One thing I do notice is that the immersion heater gets the water at the top of the tank scalding, but I soon have to turn the cold down in the shower. Clearly the gas heat exchanger at the bottom heats the whole volume.

Half an hour of gas heat is ample, and I think 45 minutes immersion is required for a good temperature.

I keep thinking of all the heat thats going out the boiler flue.

Thanks All.

 

[flameport]

Electricity is 4x - 5x more expensive than gas, so even allowing for losses in the boiler, gas is still substantially cheaper.

 

[ianmcd]

maybe an electric shower would suit your needs better

 

[braniff]

Thanks. It was a vague question but a 4 - 5x differential answers it.

Best Regards.

 

[FiremanT]

Defo cheaper on gas, assuming that one doesn't have a gravity hot water system, where the line may be finer.