Do Electric Heaters Last Longer than Gas Heaters? Do Electric Heaters Last Longer than Gas Heaters? Summer may be on the way, but as we saw earlier in April, the temperatures can still go down to freezing. So if you need to boost the heat in your home, but are ready to switch off the central heating, then you should invest in a stand-alone heater. These can be wall-mounted or portable, depending on your needs. As they run independently from the central heating system, they’re a great way to boost the heat in specific rooms without having to heat the whole home. But what heaters should you invest in – electric or gas? Which will stand the test of time? You’ll base your decision on several factors, but if you’re looking for something that will last, we recommend electric heaters over their gas counterparts. Here’s why: Reliability in the moving parts Electric heaters work in very simple ways, with options including convector, fan and radiant heating. As there’s no combustion involved, they’re more straightforward to work on than gas heaters. This means that they’re easier to maintain; indeed, many electric heaters come with fantastic warranties, giving you additional peace of mind. Safety impacts longevity All gas heating systems, be that a central heating system, fireplace, heater or even the kitchen hob, pose a risk to health and safety. This isn’t just that they’re a fire hazard; they also come with the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is produced when gas doesn’t combust completely. Exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to a range of physical symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. Prolonged exposure can be fatal. For this reason, you must install a carbon monoxide monitor if you use a gas appliance. Gas appliances, unlike those powered by electricity, must also be serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is to check that they’re safe for use and working efficiently. All of this comes with a cost, and the fact that you can’t attempt a repair yourself means you’re far more likely to have to get rid of a gas heater than an electric heater. Flexible placement ensures continued use You may invest in a heater for one room only, but you’ll more than likely want to use a heater in different rooms, at different times of the year. As opposed to electric heaters, which will only require a plug to work, gas heaters come with a whole host of issues that can impact where and when you use them. Not only are they heavy and unwieldy, meaning they’re harder to transfer between rooms, but their safety profile will also limit their location. The placement of a carbon monoxide monitor, as well as proximity to pets or children as a safety hazard, must all factor into the location of a gas heater. Also, gas heaters should only be used in well-ventilated rooms. This is not only because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning but also because they produce condensation. This can lead to damp and mould problems down the line. The fact gas heaters require ventilation is actually a really important issue, given that you’ll tend to use them when it’s cold, and won’t want to have to open a window. Functionality equates to durability The fact that electric heaters come with amazing programming features means that they’ll definitely be the most flexible option for your home, and will stand the test of time. Here are just some of the features you can look out for on electric heaters, that you won’t see on the majority of gas appliances: Smart heaters - We all live busy lives, so being able to control where and when you have heat is hugely important, not to mention cost-effective. Smart thermostats have revolutionised the way we run the central heating in our homes, but having WiFi connectivity on heaters is also hugely beneficial. With this tech, you can schedule and control your heaters from your smartphone or computer. LCD Displays - These are fantastic for letting you know when the room is getting too hot. Some models will automatically switch off if the heater temperature gets too high Frost protection – This feature will automatically switch on the heater if the room drops below 5 degrees centigrade. Remote control – You may not want WiFi connectivity, but many electric heaters come with remote controls. So you can still control the temperature from the comfort of your armchair! Climate control – This feature ensures the heater maintains a comfortable ambient room temperature, without you having to touch the thermostat. Cold air setting – We all know how hot our homes can get in the summer. Let’s face it, they’re built to keep the heat in! Some fan heaters have a cold air setting, so they double up as air conditioners in warmer weather. Efficiency means lower running costs While this might not impact how long heaters actually last, it’s definitely a consideration in how long you might keep a gas heater. Electric heat is 100% efficient; energy is immediately converted to heat, meaning none is lost in the process of creating heat energy. Gas systems are inherently inefficient, as not all of the energy is converted to heat. Some will be lost in the creation of light, exhaust fumes and moisture. Indeed, although we’ve always thought of electricity being more expensive than gas, the costs are quite surprising when it comes to heaters. According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, electric convector heaters have a running cost of 29p/hour; gas convector heaters running on LPG meanwhile will have running costs of 50p/hour. Environmental impact We all want to be a part of a better future. For future generations, we need to care for our environment. The one way we can make a difference? Moving away from using fossil fuels. From the houses we live into the cars we drive, we can all make a difference. Given that in the UK, gas is the biggest contributor to fossil fuel emissions, this means switching to electricity. To support this shift, the Government has in fact decided to impose a ban on gas boilers from as early as 2025. All of this means that investing in any kind of gas appliance isn’t the wisest of investments, as gas will one day become obsolete. So as you can see, how long a heater lasts isn’t just a case of how long it’s actually throwing out heat. It’s all about future-proofing your purchases and making sure you have something easy to maintain, uses clean energy and is safe, reliable and efficient to run. If you’re interested in making the switch to electric heating then get in touch today. We can assess your needs and guide you to the best solution for your home or business. Contact us on 01252 560770 or email the team at enquiries@electricheatingexpert.co.uk; alternatively, for a fast expert quote, simply complete our handy 2-minute self-survey form.
