Bin the gas. Keep the radiators.
Modern electric boilers are quieter, simpler, and cleaner than the gas systems they replace. Here's what changes for you, plus an honest side-by-side comparison.
Out: gas boiler
- Mandatory annual service
- Flue exit through the wall
- Carbon monoxide risk
- Audible firing cycles
In: electric boiler
- No annual service
- No flue, no vents
- Zero carbon monoxide
- Silent running
Four reasons people switch
What gas costs you, electric fixes.
Annual gas safety checks and servicing
Electric boilers have no combustion. No annual gas safety certificate, no flue check, no service interval.
Flue, vents, and ugly external pipework
Electric needs none of it: no flue exit through the wall, no air vents and no condensate drain to clear.
Carbon monoxide risk in the house
Zero combustion means zero CO. The single safest source of central heating you can fit indoors.
Worrying about the gas grid's future
Gas connections are a finite asset, and new-build homes can't have them from 2025. Electric is the long game.
Side by side
Gas boiler vs electric boiler.
| Feature | Gas boiler | Electric boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Annual service | Mandatory | None |
| Flue | Required | None |
| Carbon monoxide risk | Present | Zero |
| Efficiency | 85-95% (10-15% lost up flue) | ~100% |
| Pairs with solar | No | Yes |
| Noise | Firing cycles, audible | Silent |
| Install complexity | Gas-safe registered + flue work | Standard electrical install |