An electric combi boiler is ideal for small homes with low demand for hot water. Additionally, if you don’t have access to gas or oil, then electric central heating would be your best bet. While an electric boiler can be a more efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative, it’s important to keep in mind that electric boiler running costs will add up significantly, as electricity is much more expensive than natural gas. So, if you are considering an electric central heating boiler for your home in the UK, read on to find out how much an electric combi boiler costs to run.

How much does an Electric Boiler Cost?

Average cost in UK: £2000
Get local prices

£1400


LOW COST

£4500


HIGH COST

£2000


AVG COST
The average cost for an Electric Boiler Running is £2000. You are likely to spend between £1400 and £4500 in total. The exact price may vary depending on your area and project details.

Next Step: Find out exactly how much your project will cost.

How much does a Electric Boiler Running cost?

Average cost in UK: £2000
Get local prices

£1400


LOW COST

£4500


HIGH COST

£2000


AVG COST
The average cost for an Electric Boiler Running is £2000. You are likely to spend between £1400 and £4500 in total. The exact price may vary depending on your area and project details.

An electric boiler can be a good choice if you need to replace an old gas or oil fuel boiler. They are cleaner and you don’t need to worry about putting a tank for oil storage somewhere in the yard or underground. Electric boilers come in a range of different sizes that are small enough to fit in a kitchen or laundry cupboard. Electric central heating boilers will save you kilograms of carbon each year and if you have a water storage tank with your boiler you can take advantage of lower electricity prices at off-peak rates.  At just 9pence per kW compared to top standard rates of over 15 pence per kW. (EST)

Electric Combi Boiler Installation Cost Explained

Electric central heating units are now comparable in dependability to gas and oil boilers, however, they still tend to be more expensive to operate. However, if you qualify for the Economy 7 or 10 tariffs and install a storage boiler, dry core storage, or solar panels, you can take steps to manage your energy consumption more efficiently and save money on your bill.

Depending on the power and whether you have a built-in cylinder, new electric combi boiler supply costs can range from £900 to £1,500.

electric combi boiler
TYPE OF ELECTRIC COMBI BOILER
POWER (KW)
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST
Boiler without built-in cylinder
12kW
£1,400 to £3,500
Boiler with built-in cylinder
12kW
£2,000 to £4,500
Wall-mounted boiler
3 to 15kW
£2,200 to £4,000
Floor standing boiler plus long warranty
10 to 18kW
£2,700 to £6,500

An electric boiler without a built-in cylinder that has a power of 12 kW will have an estimated supply cost of between £900 to £1,500. With additional labor costs that average between £500 to £2,000, your total estimated cost for purchase and installation will be £1,400 to £3,500.

If you’re looking to purchase an electric combi boiler with a built-in cylinder, be prepared to spend more. The estimated cost for the same power output falls between £1,500 and £2,500 just for the supplies. And since the labor charges are relatively similar regardless of whether or not there’s a cylinder included, your total estimated costs will likely range from £2,000 up to £4,500.

Boilers that are mounted on walls and have a power between three to 15kW can cost £1,700 to supply and an additional £2,000 when labour costs are factored in. The total budget for such a project would be around £2,200 to £4,000.

A floor-standing boiler with a long warranty period for 10 to 18kW power systems costs between £2,200 and £4,500. With labor charges included, the total cost is between £2,700 and £6,500.

Electric Combi Boiler Running Costs

Electric combi boilers generally have higher running costs when compared to gas; however, electric boilers are more efficient than gas in most cases. This means that while the electric bill may be higher each month, you will save money in the long run due to the reduced need for maintenance and repairs. Additionally, electric boilers do not produce harmful emissions as gas ones do. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option.

Now, let’s look at how much electric boiler costs with different power capacities.

Please keep in mind that the cost estimates below are based on 2022 numbers from the Energy Savings Trust. Depending on how energy prices fluctuate in the UK, actual prices and running costs could be higher or lower.

POWER (KWH)
NUMBER OF RADIATORS
ESTIMATED ANNUAL RUNNING COST
4
2
£1,905
6
5
£2,095
9
7
£2,286
11
9
£2,540
12
10
£2,667
14
12
£3,175

A 4kWh electric boiler with 13,600 BTU power consumption costs around £1,905 a year to operate two radiators in the property.

6kWh electric boilers with 20,500 BTU power consumption and five radiators within the home will come in at an annual cost of approximately £2,095.

An electric boiler with 9kWh power and 30,700 BTU power consumption with 7 radiators costs approximately £2,286.

With an 11kWh electric boiler and 38,000 BTU power consumption, you can expect to spend £2,540 per year on the heat for nine radiators.

12 kWh electric boilers with 41,000 BTU power consumption will cost £2,667 per year to run if you have 10 radiators in your home.

An electric boiler with a 14kWh power consumption and 48,000 BTUs will cost £3,175 annually to operate. With this amount of power, it can efficiently heat 12 radiators.

It will cost you an average of £1800 a year to use an electric combi boiler to supply hot water and heating for your home depending on the size of the boiler

Thermsave.co.uk with the average price of electricity per kW hour says the boiler running costs for a 210 litre Thermaflow electric combi boiler is £2025. This is based on a total of 13500kW at 15 pence for each kW.

This is based on the electric boiler being used on maximum for heating and hot water in autumn and winter and only for hot water in spring and summer.

Factors affecting the cost of Installing an Electric Combi Boiler

Factors that can affect the cost of installing an electric combi boiler include the size of the property, the type of boiler, and the installation requirements. Additionally, the cost of materials and labor will also play a role in how much it costs to install an electric combi boiler. Generally, the average cost to install an electric combi boiler ranges from £1,400 to £4,500.

Size of the Property

The size of the property is one of the main factors that will affect the cost of installing an electric combi boiler. If the property is large, it will require more materials and labor to install the boiler, which may increase the overall cost. Additionally, if the property is located in a rural area, it may be more expensive to install the boiler due to travel costs.

Type of Boiler

The type of boiler is another factor that can affect installation costs. Generally, electric combi boilers are more expensive to install than gas combi boilers. This is because they require specialized equipment and wiring, which can add to the overall cost. Additionally, if the property does not have a gas line, the cost of installing an electric combi boiler will be higher than if the property did have a gas line.

What types of electric boilers are available?

There are several manufacturers of electric heating boilers in the UK that make models ranging from 4kW to 14.4kW. The smaller kW boilers are cheaper to buy and run but may not be as efficient as the larger model.

  1. Heatrae Sadia makes the ElectriMax Electric Combi Boiler that is small and compact and easily fits into a standard-sized laundry cupboard. Comes in different sizes. A 9kw boiler is around £1580 including VAT whereas a 2.5kW boiler is £692 including VAT
  2. Electric Heating Company offers a range of electric boilers for central heating from 6kW to 14.4kW that do not need to have a flue installed. These can also be adapted to produce hot water.
  3. Thermaflow Electric Boilers range from small and compact kitchen cupboard-sized electric combi boilers to larger and heavier stainless steel electric combi boilers.
  4. Trianco Electric Boilers are available in five output sizes ranging from a small 2kW to a larger 12kW. These boilers can also be linked to create a larger output if it is required.

Boiler prices

Do you need a new boiler for your electric heating systems? You can get one as cheap as £1000 if you are just swapping your old boiler for a new boiler. If you need it moved and it involves extra plumbing and new wiring it will cost you more money. If you want a top-of-the-range boiler for around £2000 it can cost up to another £2000.

Installation Requirements

The installation requirements, such as having electrical outlets installed, can affect the cost of installing an electric combi boiler. If the property is located in a remote area, the cost of installation may be higher due to travel costs.

Cost of Materials and Labor

The cost of materials and labor is another factor that can affect the cost of installing an electric combi boiler. The cost of materials is typically lower for electric combi boilers than for gas combi boilers. However, the cost of labor is typically higher for electric combi boiler installations due to the specialized equipment and wiring required.

Electric Boiler vs Gas Boilers

Natural gas is an excellent resource for home heating; however, its environmental impact is significant.

Fossil fuels, such as natural gas, release carbon into the atmosphere when burned, which contributes to climate change. In the UK, home heating accounts for around 14% of all emissions.

Gas boilers often adversely impact the environment, but electric heating systems provide a more sustainable solution.

Electric boilers are the best carbon-neutral heating system for smaller homes, but they cannot satisfy the higher demands for heat and hot water that larger homes require. In this sense, natural gas is much better suited to meet those needs.

Even though this may be the case, electric boilers still have many advantages over gas ones.

Electric boiler advantages

  • Electric boilers don’t make any noise as they heat your home.
  • Eliminates the risk of a carbon monoxide leak
  • With fewer moving parts, there is a decreased chance of mechanical issues.
  • Emissions-free heating for your home
  • Easy installation, as there is no need for a flue pipe.

Gas Combi boiler advantages

  • Compared to electricity, fuel average cost for natural gas is a much cheaper.
  • Gas boilers can accommodate a higher demand for both hot water and heating.
  • If you have access to mains gas, gas boilers are typically the cheapest heating solution.
  • There are a wide variety of gas boilers available on the market.
  • It is relatively easy to replace a gas boiler.

Electric boiler disadvantages

  • On average, electricity costs are greater than the cost of natural gas
  • Can’t provide enough heat for bigger properties
  • Will take up most of the energy usage (e.g. 48 amps of a 60 amp fuse)
  • While a switch to renewable heating systems resources is underway, the majority of electricity still comes from burning fossil fuels

Gas boiler disadvantages

  • Installation costs for gas boilers are higher than electric ones

  • Gas boilers require extra care and maintenance to function properly over their lifespan.

  • Toxic fumes require a flue through which to escape the building

  • The risk of a Carbon Monoxide leak

  • Gas boilers are more cumbersome than electric ones

Which is better for you – an electric boiler or a gas boiler?

If you have a small home and your heating demand is low, electric boilers come with many advantages. This also goes for those living off the gas grid.

If you don’t want to handle regular maintenance and the danger of Carbon Monoxide leaks, you might prefer an electric boiler.

If you’re considering getting an electric boiler to help the environment, make sure that your electricity supplier is entirely green, otherwise, you could still be indirectly contributing to global carbon emissions.

If you have a robust demand for both heat and domestic hot water, a gas boiler may be the better option at this time.

Should you get an electric combi boiler?

To meet emissions targets, the government has announced that gas boilers will be banned in all newbuilds from 2025 onwards. All other households will have to follow suit and remove their gas boilers by 2035. With such a large number of UK houses running on gas, it’s not surprising that many homeowners are now looking for more environmentally friendly options.

If you fall into this category, an electric combi boiler could be a great way to stay warm while also reducing your emissions.

Electric combi boilers offer many benefits, one of the most prevalent beings that they’re often compatible with UK homes. Given their size and weight, electric combis can be installed in standard kitchen cupboards or small spaces too narrow to serve another purpose. So, if your home is unsuitable for a heat pump due to space restrictions, then an electric combi boiler might be the solution you’re looking for.

Besides this, you don’t need a flue (a duct, gas pipe, or opening that transports exhaust gases outside). That’s great news for people who live in apartments because they’ll save money by avoiding scaffolding costs.

However, an electric combi boiler might not work in every home. For example, homeowners with older properties who don’t have the right pipework won’t be able to install a combi boiler without upgrading their whole system.

Furthermore, since electric combi boilers aren’t as effective when multiple heating appliances are running simultaneously, it might take time for some to get used to living with an electric boiler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an electric combi boiler use existing radiators?

Unfortunately, electrical heating is waning. Modern electrical heating systems combine heat exchangers with underfloor heat and radiators to ensure warm and comfortable homes.

Can I Replace My Gas or Oil Boiler With an Electric Boiler?

Switching from a fossil-fuel boiler to an electric one is seamless, as the new equipment will be able to fit into the existing plumbing and wiring of your old boiler.

Is a Hot Water Cylinder Necessary for an Electric Combi Boiler?

Electric boilers heating water as needed can cause slight delays in the warmth coming from taps. If you have a large property or one with baths, incorporating a hot water cylinder into the system will ensure there is always enough warm water available for use.