What's the Difference Between Gas and Electric Heating?

Choosing between gas and electric heating is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your home. But what’s actually different about these two systems? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

How Gas Heating Works

Gas heating requires a central boiler that burns natural gas to heat water. This hot water is then pumped through pipes to radiators throughout your home, delivering heat room by room.

The system requires:

• A gas boiler (usually in a cupboard or utility room)

• A network of pipes running through your property

• Gas radiators in each room

• A gas supply connection to your property

• Annual servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer

How Electric Heating Works

Electric heating converts electricity directly into heat at the point of use. Each radiator is an independent unit that plugs into a power socket or is hard-wired to a fused spur.

The system requires:

• Individual electric radiators in each room

• Electrical connections (standard sockets or fused spurs)

• No boiler, no pipework, no gas supply

Key Differences

1. Installation

• Gas: Requires extensive pipework, boiler installation, and gas connection. Disruptive, time-consuming, and expensive to install.

• Electric: Each radiator installs independently and tends to be much less disruptive.

2. Maintenance

• Gas: Requires annual servicing (£80+), regular checks, and eventual boiler replacement (£3,000-£5,000).

• Electric: No maintenance required for some electric radiators. The NEOS electric radiator has a 25-year guarantee.

3. Control

• Gas: Central system means all radiators heat together. Individual room control requires additional thermostatic radiator valves.

• Electric: Each radiator can be independently controlled. Heat only the rooms you’re using, when you’re using them.

4. Efficiency

• Gas: Boilers are 60-90% efficient. Energy is lost in conversion and through the pipe network.

• Electric: 100% efficient. Every unit of electricity becomes heat in your room.

5. Running Costs

• Gas: Lower unit cost (around 6p/kWh) but inefficiency losses, servicing costs, and boiler replacements add up.

• Electric: Higher unit cost (around 24p/kWh) but no servicing, no boiler replacement, and smart storage technology (like the NEOS soapstone core) reduces consumption.

6. Environmental Impact

• Gas: Burns fossil fuels, produces carbon emissions, contributes to climate change.

• Electric: Can be powered by renewable energy sources. As the UK grid becomes greener, electric heating becomes cleaner.

7. Future-Proofing

• Gas: Being phased out eventually.

• Electric: The future of UK heating. Government-backed, regulation-proof, and increasingly affordable as the grid transitions to renewables.

Which Is Right for You?

If you already have gas heating and it’s working well, you might not need to switch immediately. But if you’re:

• Building a new property

• Replacing an old boiler

• Off the gas grid

• Tired of annual servicing and breakdowns

• Planning for the future

Then electric heating, particularly the NEOS electric radiator, offers a compelling alternative.

The NEOS Advantage

The NEOS electric radiator combines the convenience of electric heating with smart storage technology. The patented soapstone core stores heat and releases it gradually, meaning your radiator runs for only around 17-30 minutes per hour once your room reaches temperature.

You get the benefits of electric heating without the constant electricity consumption of standard panel heaters.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Want to learn more about the difference between gas and electric for your specific property? 

Call 0800 5999 109 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.

Scott Conor

Chief Technical Officer

In 2012, Scott founded Trust and invented the NEOS electric radiator after finding a gap for a more innovative and cost-effective electric radiator within the industry. He’s the driving force behind Trust’s research and development, using market-leading strategies to keep customers warm for less.

Meet the Team | More Blogs from Scott

Tags: General Guides.