In recent years, electric heating has become increasingly popular in the UK. The rising cost of living, combined with a desire to live more sustainably, has pushed many households to seek out more affordable and reliable energy solutions.
But what are the benefits of electric heating?
The benefits of electric heating
Electric heating can be a cost-effective way to heat your home – and it’s also better for the environment than fossil fuel systems, such as gas or oil boilers. Unlike gas or oil-fuelled heating, electric heating systems produce zero carbon emissions if they’re powered by renewable electricity. They also pose next to no risk to human health or safety.
Plus, because there are no moving parts in electrical central heating systems, there’s a reduced chance of them breaking down and you having to pay for repairs. There’s also the fact that many electric heating systems offer a greater level of control and heat distribution around the home.
However, it’s one thing to consider moving to electric heating and another to know exactly which system to go for. With so many different options available, it can be tricky to know which ones are the most efficient or suited to your home. So, if you’re not sure which electric heating system is right for you, we’ve got you covered. Here are four of the most efficient forms of electric heating in 2025.
Electric radiators
Electric radiators are the most convenient form of heating. Many electric heating systems don’t run from a central boiler (like gas or oil central heating systems), but from separate heaters in each room. These are simple to install and give you the added benefit of having room-by-room control, where you can warm separate areas of the house at different times.
Plus, because there are so many types of electric radiators, it can be easier to find a style that’s suited to the specific decor in each room. For example, electric radiators can be wall-mounted, free-standing, or on castors, and most can simply be plugged into a socket or fused to the wall. And, if they make use of solar energy generation and storage, they’re usually more affordable, too.
Most electric radiators give out radiant heat, which delivers heat directly to a home’s floors, walls, and ceilings. Radiant heat is a natural, comforting form of warmth that lasts longer than convection, which heats the air and is affected by air movement.
To find out more, check out this electric radiators buying guide from Grand Designs Magazine.
Electric boilers
If you already have a gas boiler in your home, installing an electric boiler is the easiest way to move to electric heating. Electric central heating systems can be made up of an electric boiler and electric radiators, but you can also simply swap your existing gas boiler for an electric one while keeping your current radiators (or underfloor heating).
Electric boilers use electricity to heat water, rather like a kettle, and they’re usually quick and easy to install. Unlike gas boilers, they don’t need to be fixed on an outside wall as there’s no flue or gas pipe, and they’re smaller and quieter, too. Because they don’t require combustion fuel, they’re also safer, as well as being more efficient and eco-friendly.
There are different types of electric boilers, for example, heat-only, combi, and combi boilers with cylinders. The right boiler will depend on your current set-up and what you’re looking for; if you already have an electric water heater, it makes sense to choose a heating-only boiler to go alongside it. If you want an all-in-one solution for heating and hot water, your best option is a duo boiler with an in-built tank.
You can find out more about electric boilers in this article from Thermo Sphere.
Electric heat pumps
Electric heat pumps are devices that use electricity to move heat from one place to another. They can warm up or cool down your home by absorbing heat from the air, ground, or water.
Air-source heat pumps (ASHP) are also one of the newer forms of electric heating. They’re up to 400% more efficient than low-carbon heating systems and can be combined with pre-existing systems like central heating, underfloor heating, and solar power. They also have a long lifespan (20-25 years), are eco-friendly, and are eligible for the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
ASHPs usually include an outdoor and an indoor unit, so they’re well-suited to large properties with high energy demands. However, while they’re efficient, many aren’t suitable for certain properties, as for heat pumps to achieve their potential, your home needs to be well-insulated. An ASHP works by capturing heat from outside and moving it into your home. It then generates more warmth by compressing the heat in a refrigerant.
The problem is that because the UK gets very cold in winter and the ASHP is inducting cool air, it’ll need to boost the temperature via an additional element. This means that you’ll be relying on a form of electrical heating again – but because you’re using air heating in the first place, things become more complex and expensive, reducing the benefit of having an ASHP.
However, hybrid heat pumps integrate an ASHP with your existing gas boiler, allowing the heat pump to provide the vast majority of winter heating efficiently and reliably. On the coldest winter days, the gas boiler is utilised for extra heat. This means that your home stays warm and cosy while still cutting carbon emissions.
You can learn more about electric heat pumps on the Gov.uk website.
Electric water heaters
Finally, you might like to consider an electric water heater. When it comes to electric heating, there are lots of benefits of keeping your water heating separate from your room heating – and one of the most popular options is an air-source water heater that’s used alongside electric radiators.
Air-source water heaters work in a similar way to air-source heat pumps, and the installation is quick and easy. You can install water heaters in lofts, airing cupboards, utility rooms, or garages. However, it’s worth noting that water heaters aren’t usually suitable for flats.
If you’re short of space in your home, you might like to think about a tankless electric water heater, like Fischer’s Aquafficient. This water heater uses a single heating element to generate hot water from stored heat energy and provide your home with hot water – all without storing large volumes of water in bulky tanks.
Electric water heaters are much greener than fuel-powered water heaters and considerably more efficient, too. Plus, because they use electricity rather than combustion fuel, they’re also safer.
To learn more about electric water heaters, check out this article from Ariston.
Final thoughts…
If you’d like to save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, moving to electric heating could be the way to go. Not only are gas boilers noisy and bulky, but they also burn fossil fuels and are damaging to the planet.
There are different ways you can move to electric heating, from installing independent eco-friendly electric heaters to replacing your current gas system with an electric boiler. While the best heating system for you will depend on your property and current system, the important thing to remember is that electric heating converts 100% of the energy it consumes into heat, making it incredibly efficient.
However, external factors, like your property’s size and how well-insulated it is, can affect the overall efficiency of electric heating. Therefore, it can be helpful to get an expert opinion to discuss which heating solutions are most compatible with your home.
To learn more about sustainable living, you might like to read our articles: 17 ways to help the environment and save money and 9 benefits of adding solar panels to your home.
Do you have electric heating? Or are you thinking about going electric? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.