While UK homes are hit with increased energy costs and stricter carbon reduction targets, electric combi boilers have become a serious competitor to traditional gas-based systems. With efficiencies of up to 100% and the capacity to tap renewable power sources, the small-sized units are an efficient heating solution for homes aiming at going net zero. This blog will cover the costs, performance, environmental gains, and government programs such as ECO4 to help you in making a knowledgeable decision on the replacement of heating systems.
How Electric and Gas Combi Boilers Work
Electric combi boilers heat water directly using electricity-powered heat exchangers, providing hot water to radiators and faucets without the need for storage tanks. Gas types are also similar but with the use of natural gas as fuel to produce heat, resulting in carbon as a waste product. Although both systems offer space-saving designs, electric boilers do not have flue gases and combustion risks, making them easier to install indoors.
Electric combi boilers are mostly 99–100% efficient, with virtually all electricity being used to produce heat. Gas boilers, even with newer condensing technology, can be at best 92–98% efficient because they lose heat through flue gases. That difference is made even greater if one includes in the calculation the UK’s growing reliance on renewable electricity, the combining of an electric boiler with solar panels can get a house’s carbon footprint for heating close to zero.
Upfront and Running Costs Comparison
How much is an electric combi boiler? The price range can be big depending on a few factors from location to the brand and materials installed.
- Electric Combi Boilers: Unit costs range from £900–£4,500, with fitting adding to £1,550–£5,000.
- Gas Combi Boilers: Units cost £600–£2,500, with fitting adding to £1,800–£3,500.
While electric boilers cost more to buy, their running costs depend on the cost of electricity. At current prices, gas is currently 7p per kWh cheaper than electricity which stands at 34p, but experts predict this gap will be closed as the UK transposes environmental levies from the electricity to the gas bill. Are electric combi boilers expensive to run? No, but some homes might opt for the current convenience of having a gas boiler. Contact us and find out the best option for you and your home!
If you are eligible for the ECO4 scheme, you can get the latest combi boiler for free. Fill in our form and check your eligibility and get your new A-rated boiler for free today!
Environmental Impact
Gas boilers are responsible for 21% of the UK’s carbon footprint, informing policies such as the planned 2035 gas boiler ban. Electric combi boilers are zero direct emissions and support the UK net zero policy when driven by renewables. Household owners can future-proof their heating setup by becoming electric today, rather than having to go through expensive retrofits later.
Key Benefits of Electric Combi Boilers
- Instant on-demand hot water without storage tanks
- Space-saving compact design, no need to use space in your home
- Quiet operation with low maintenance requirements
- Zero on-site carbon emissions (when supplied by renewable electricity)
Electric combi boilers are best suited to smaller UK homes or flats where space and gas access might be a problem.
Electric Combi Boiler UK Price and Installation
The price of electric combi boilers depends upon the brand, size, and features. Generally, they are priced between £1,000 and £3,000 for the appliance alone. Installation fees can add another £500 to £1,500 based on the location of your property and fitting complexity. That will bring the total price to be between £1,500 and £4,500.
Electric Combi Boiler Installation
The installation is simple for competent engineers, particularly in homes that already have electric heating equipment. All that is required is to take out your existing boiler (if necessary), install the new electric combi boiler, and link it up to your central heating and hot water points.
ECO4 Scheme - Electric Combi Boiler Cost Reduction
Can you get an electric combi boiler for free? In short, Yes!The UK government ECO4 grant pays 100% for replacement of a boiler for low-income residents and homes with low efficiency ratings. By coupling ECO4 funding with long-term energy saving on energy bills and costs, property owners can break even on the higher initial costs: A £2,500 12 kW electric combi boiler has over £400 per year in savings over an older gas system. ECO4 can fund full or part of new efficient boiler installation, including electric combi boilers, for qualifying homes.
The environmental impact of your new boiler installation is crucial and the main reason it is covered by the ECO4 scheme. Replacing an inefficient old boiler with a new electric combi boiler lowers your home’s carbon emission helping the UK come closer to its Net Zero 2050 target.
The fourth important consideration is the improved home comfort. New boilers are much more effective, being able to provide heat and hot water consistently. They are also less likely to break down, especially when installed from a reliable installer, helping add to your peace of mind. Home Energy Guide only works with the most experienced and reliable installers, contact us or fill in our form to know more.
ECO4 Eligibility
To qualify for ECO4 funding, your property should ideally have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower, with homes having an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G being eligible. You also have to be the homeowner of the property you are applying for. The cost of electric combi boiler can be zero if you meet certain qualifying criteria.
Household benefits status and income are major determining factors of qualification. To qualify, you usually require:
- To be the home owner an EPC rating of D or lower.
- To have a joint household income of £31,000 or less (this amount will be marginally different per location).
- A household member has to be on qualifying benefits.
- One member of the household who has a medical condition that makes them vulnerable to cold and qualifies for assistance. This can allow you to qualify through the LA Flex scheme.
If you are not claiming qualifying benefits but are on a low income and reside in a low EPC rated property, you will qualify via the Local Authority Flexible Eligibility (LA Flex) route. This permits local councils to recognize households that are in or at risk of fuel poverty, or are at risk of the impacts of cold homes, and refer them for ECO4 funding. Local councils release a Statement of Intent setting out their intended groups for flexible eligibility, for example, those on incomes less than £31,000, council tax rebate recipients, or free school meal children.
Other Heating Solutions Funded by ECO4
ECO4 funding can support other low carbon heating solutions. The scheme includes:
- Gas boilers: Upgrade to new, efficient gas boilers.
- Oil boilers: Upgrade to efficient oil-fired boilers, which are necessary for off-grid rural homes.
- LPG boilers: For homes that are using liquefied petroleum gas, ECO4 funds efficient replacement LPG boilers.
- Heat pumps: Air source and ground source heat pumps can be installed under the scheme with grants worth £7,500, providing low-carbon renewable heat.
- Electric storage heaters: New, low-energy electric storage heaters are available under the scheme.
Other Home Energy Efficiency Upgrades Included
Aside from heating installations, ECO4 adopts a whole house approach strategy, as it seeks to enhance the insulation and airtightness of the building prior to the improvement in heating. This results in the highest energy and comfort gains. Qualifying work includes:
- Loft insulation: Installation or replacement of loft insulation to minimize heat loss.
- Cavity wall insulation: Insulation of cavity walls for enhanced thermal performance.
- Solid wall insulation: External or internal solid-wall home wall insulation, one for the most vital insulations for better home energy efficiency.
- Floor insulation: Insulation of underfloor areas.
- Draught proofing: Sealing gaps around floors, windows, and doors to stop heat loss.
- Solar panels: Fitting solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to produce renewable electricity.
Why Home Energy Guide for Your ECO4 Installations?
As experienced ECO4 advisers, we work with Ofgem-accredited energy providers to supply boiler replacements. We have installed thousands of combi boilers with our network of experienced energy grant companies, always adhering to building regulations and manufacturers’ warranties. By doing so, we ensure you get the best quality appliances and materials that last a long time with long-term warranties. You are in safe hands with Home Energy Guide.
Our End-to-End Support Includes:
- Eligibility Check: We check your property’s income, benefits, and EPC rating to get the highest grant funding.
- Boiler Selection: Suggest models suitable for your house size and needs, from small 9 kW to 18 kW systems.
- Installation: Schedule surveys, permits, and installations within 14 days of approval.
Summary
Electric combi boilers offer cleaner, quieter, and greener heating for UK homes and environmentally conscious homeowners. Operating costs remain higher than gas in the short term, yet government initiatives such as ECO4 and impending updates to energy policy make them an economic long-term solution. The electric combi boiler prices are therefore not the most important factor when comparing with a gas powered one. Contact us to make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing your new heating system under the ECO4 scheme.
