Should you replace gas central heating with electric?

Heating your home is one of the biggest ongoing expenses you face as a homeowner, and with energy prices fluctuating and new regulations coming into play, it’s natural to wonder whether your current system is the best long-term choice.

If you already have gas central heating, you may be asking yourself if you stick with it, or if now is the time to switch to electric. If you’re moving into a new home, or your boiler has reached the end of its life, then the decision becomes even more important.

This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of gas and electric heating, highlight modern alternatives, and help you understand which system could be right for your home and lifestyle.

Table of Contents

• What do we mean by gas and electric heating?
• The upfront and ongoing cost differences
• Climate considerations
• A comparison of gas vs electric heating
• Modern heating alternatives
• Which heating system should you choose?
• Stylish gas and electric radiators at TradeRadiators.com

What do we mean by gas and electric heating?

Before comparing, it's worth defining each system clearly so we know what we're dealing with.

Gas central heating

This type of heating system uses a gas-fired boiler to heat water, which is then pumped through pipes into radiators and towel rails. Thermostats and valves control the flow of heat around your home. This is currently the most common heating system in the UK.

• Further reading: How Do Radiators Work? A Complete Guide

Electric heating

This system uses radiators, heaters, or towel rails that connect directly to your mains electricity. Each one generates heat individually via an internal element. There’s no boiler, no pipes, and very little maintenance required.

• Further reading: A Complete Guide to Electric Heating

The upfront and ongoing cost differences

When considering gas versus electric heating, one of the biggest deciding factors is cost. To make things clear, it helps to separate upfront installation costs from ongoing running costs.

Upfront Installation Costs

Gas Central Heating

Installing a new gas boiler typically costs £2,000–£3,000, plus the expense of pipework, radiators, and labour. If your property doesn’t already have a gas connection, arranging one can add thousands more.

Electric Heating

Generally cheaper to install. Electric radiators and towel rails wire directly into the mains with no boiler, pipes, or water-filled radiators needed. An electrician can complete installation with far less disruption and mess.

• Further reading: Replacing A Radiator - A Complete Guide

Running Costs

Gas Central Heating

Gas is currently cheaper per kilowatt-hour (kWh) than electricity, so monthly bills are often lower for gas-heated homes. This assuming the boiler is modern and efficient. Older boilers waste more energy, which quickly eats into the savings.

Electric Heating

Electricity costs more per kWh, but this doesn’t tell the full story. Modern electric radiators come with digital thermostats, timers, and smart controls that help prevent wasted energy. With true zone heating, you can warm only the rooms you’re using, which can help balance out higher unit prices.

• Further reading: The Best Electric Radiators

Maintenance Costs

Gas boilers require annual servicing to stay safe and efficient, as well as the occasional repair or part replacement.

Electric radiators, by contrast, have no moving parts and require little more than an occasional dust and wipe-down. That means their long-term expenses are more predictable.

Switching Costs

If you already have a working gas system, switching to electric means removing the boiler, pipes, and radiators, which can be costly. In many cases, it makes more financial sense to run your gas system until it reaches the end of its life.

For homes without existing gas infrastructure, however, it often makes sense to go electric rather than paying thousands for a new gas connection, especially as the UK is possibly moving away from gas heating altogether in the future.

If you already have a reliable, efficient gas boiler, it will usually remain the cheaper day-to-day option. But if you’re starting from scratch or your boiler needs replacing soon, electric heating offers a simpler, more predictable cost structure, and is better aligned with the UK’s long-term energy future.

• Further reading: How To Tell If Your Heating System Is Gas Or Electric

Climate considerations

In the past, the choice between gas and electric was mostly about cost and convenience. But now there’s a much bigger picture with other considerations that many people think about.

Gas is a fossil fuel which means burning it releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. The UK government has committed to reducing carbon emissions to reach net-zero by 2050.

Regulations are changing as in the future new-build homes may no longer be fitted with gas boilers. The long-term direction is clear that homes are moving away from gas.

Electricity is becoming greener and a growing share of the UK’s electricity comes from renewable sources like wind and solar. This hopefully means electric heating will only get cleaner over time.

So while gas may currently win on running cost per unit, if you listen to many politicians, electric heating could be the more future-proof choice.

A comparison of gas vs electric heating

Modern heating alternatives

Air Source Heat Pumps

These use electricity to extract heat from the air outside and transfer it into your home. They are much more efficient than direct electric heating, often delivering 3–4 times more heat energy than the electricity they consume.

They are, however, expensive to install and work best in well-insulated homes. There are some government grants available that can help offset costs.

Hybrid Systems

Some households use both gas and electric, such as dual fuel towel rails. These run with your central heating in winter but can be powered electrically in summer – perfect for warm, dry towels without turning on the whole system.

Which heating system should you choose?

We hope that with all the information provided above, you've got a good understanding of both kinds of heating system. Ultimately, which one you choose really depends on your situation:

• If you already have a modern gas boiler in good working order then stick with it for now. Gas remains cheaper per unit than electricity, and you’ll avoid the high cost of replacing everything. Consider adding smart thermostats or upgrading radiators to maximise efficiency.
• If your boiler has failed or you’re renovating then think carefully before investing in a brand-new gas system. With possible future regulations, give it some serious thought. Electric heating (or a heat pump if budget allows) could be the smarter, future-proof option. Alternatively, a new efficient gas boiler will last for years to come, so gas might still be the right choice for you.
• If you’re a landlord then electric heating often makes more sense. It’s cheaper to install, requires little maintenance, and avoids the hassle of annual safety checks. It also reduces the risk of tenants being left without heat due to boiler breakdowns.

Stylish gas and electric radiators at TradeRadiators.com

Gas has long been the default in the UK, but the shift towards greener, simpler systems means electric heating is increasingly attractive. Whether you decide to stick with gas for now, or start moving towards electric, the key is choosing the right radiators.

At Trade Radiators, we offer a fantastic range of:

• Gas central heating radiators in every size, style, and finish to match your home.
• Modern electric radiators with smart controls, timers, and stylish designs.
• Dual fuel towel rails for the best of both worlds.

Whichever direction you take, we’re here to help you heat your home efficiently, stylishly, and affordably. Browse our full range of radiators today and find the perfect solution for your home.