Electric combi boiler?

Iggityziggety · 2024-03-27T22:36:12+00:00

Looking at a house that has a brand new electric combi boiler. There is no gas to the area and previously there was an oil boiler installed. Does anyone have a set up like this and can comment on how expensive it is? It is a small 2 up 2 down house and a terrace so hopefully not that hard to heat. I'm currently on oil and don't find that too bad but I suppose it's partly because you pay for oil upfront so you can't get into debt!

DrySherry · 28/03/2024 06:32

It's shockingly expensive. Something like 5 times more for the same energy produced with gas and 4 times more expensive than oil according to Ofgem.

Original poster

Iggityziggety · 28/03/2024 07:09

Eek that doesn't sound good. The estate agent was on about how efficient it would be, seems a strange swap to make from oil if it's so much dearer.

OP posts:

Autumn1990 · 28/03/2024 07:15

It’s going to be really expensive. It’s the kind of situation they should have put an ashp in, either air to water or air to air

Reallybadidea · 28/03/2024 09:09

I wonder whether if it's something like this: https://www.tepeo.com/btc

I think the idea is that it heats the water at cheaper times of the day and then slowly releases it. So a bit like a wet version of night storage heaters. This will mitigate the cost and there are tariffs that are designed for 'green' systems like these, ASHP, EVs, solar batteries etc. We are on one of these and electricity is much cheaper than standard rates. I would ask them for more details about how it works and running costs.

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Original poster

Iggityziggety · 28/03/2024 09:40

Reallybadidea · 28/03/2024 09:09

I wonder whether if it's something like this: https://www.tepeo.com/btc

I think the idea is that it heats the water at cheaper times of the day and then slowly releases it. So a bit like a wet version of night storage heaters. This will mitigate the cost and there are tariffs that are designed for 'green' systems like these, ASHP, EVs, solar batteries etc. We are on one of these and electricity is much cheaper than standard rates. I would ask them for more details about how it works and running costs.

Thank you, I'll ask. I can't understand why they would change the system from oil for the purposes of selling because the property has been vacant for some time, if it wasn't going to be cheaper.

OP posts:

Reallybadidea · 28/03/2024 09:43

I'm guessing - but oil boilers are expensive as are the tanks - so this might have been cheaper, particularly if there is a subsidy for being a green option.

Original poster

Iggityziggety · 28/03/2024 09:43

@Reallybadidea do you have a hot water tank? This house doesn't so I guess it would have to heat the water as needed.

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GasPanic · 28/03/2024 10:40

Electricity gets a bad rep because it is more expensive.

But it really depends how much your house costs to heat. Expensive x nothing is still nothing. If the house is well insulated and has good walls,windows and loft insulation you may find a terrace needs hardly any heating at all during the winter. And if it is down south then the climate is milder.

Questions to ask are how modern the house is, what is the EPC ? The EPC has an electricity usage which will of course be an estimate but will give you some idea of the yearly cost and also the general state of the house as regards things like insulation. You can download the EPC on the web from the government site by entering the postcode.

You could also ask the vendor for an example bill covering the winter period - they may provide or they may not. That in itself may tell you something.

Original poster

Iggityziggety · 28/03/2024 11:15

Thanks @GasPanic its in Wales and a solid wall build, so probably very old. I know the EPC was too low to rent the property out, that was the reason the vendor had this new boiler fitted but it hasn't brought it up to the required rating. I'm not sure they have even used the boiler as the property has been empty a good while, but will ask.

OP posts:

Ifailed · 28/03/2024 11:20

If it's an old property there's probably a fireplace somewhere. Just burn fivers to heat the house, it's probably the same cost as using electricity.

GasPanic · 28/03/2024 11:26

Iggityziggety · 28/03/2024 11:15

Thanks @GasPanic its in Wales and a solid wall build, so probably very old. I know the EPC was too low to rent the property out, that was the reason the vendor had this new boiler fitted but it hasn't brought it up to the required rating. I'm not sure they have even used the boiler as the property has been empty a good while, but will ask.

EPCs are public. You just need the house number and the postcode to download.

From what you have said it sounds like it will take a lot of energy to heat and a lot of money to make fit for a heat pump.

The good news being that I seem to remember you can get 100% grants for heat pump and insulation installation under certain circumstances in Wales.

HappydaysArehere · 28/03/2024 11:35

I remember reading something about electric boilers not needing the servicing that gas boilers do and therefore making some savings there. My grandson has just moved into a small, completely renovated and converted two bedroom Victorian flat. He has an electric boiler so will be interested in how he gets on. Last I heard he was awaiting for an engineer to discover how the radiators are turned off. First time the boiler has been used so some info needed. His dad tried to explain the method of balancing the radiators but not sure what is happening. Will know more when we all have a family lunch on Sunday.

Chersfrozenface · 28/03/2024 11:37

The good news being that I seem to remember you can get 100% grants for heat pump and insulation installation under certain circumstances in Wales.

The main eligibility criteria for the current Warm Homes Nest scheme is:

"You or someone you live with receives a means tested benefit OR has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition and an income below the defined thresholds"

Anyway, that scheme ends on 31 March 2024. There will be a new one but you can't actually apply for it yet.
https://nest.gov.wales/eligibility/