Option A
Electric heater
Portable or fixed panel heaters, storage heaters and electric radiators convert electricity directly into heat at the point of use.
Electric heater vs central heating: which is cheaper?
Updated June 2026 8 min read
Quick verdict
For whole-home heating, gas central heating is usually 2 to 3 times cheaper to run than electric heaters because gas costs much less per kWh than electricity. Electric heaters have a lower upfront cost and can work well for single rooms, rentals, small flats or homes without a gas connection.
Option B
Gas central heating
Gas central heating uses a gas boiler with radiators or underfloor heating. A modern condensing boiler is typically around 90% efficient.
Side-by-side comparison
Gas central heating wins for regular whole-home heating. Electric heaters win for low upfront cost, simple installation and occasional room-by-room use.
Annual running cost (3-bed)
Electric heater
£2,800 to £3,500
Gas central heating
£1,100 to £1,500Better
Upfront cost
Electric heater
£200 to £1,500 per room or setupBetter
Gas central heating
£2,500 to £5,500 for boiler and radiators
Maintenance
Electric heater
MinimalBetter
Gas central heating
£70 to £100 annual boiler service plus repairs
Installation disruption
Electric heater
MinimalBetter
Gas central heating
Pipework, boiler and radiator work
Carbon emissions
Electric heater
Higher for whole-home direct electric heating
Gas central heating
Lower than direct electric in many current homesBetter
Best for
Electric heater
Small flats, off-gas homes and single rooms
Gas central heating
Whole homes with a gas connection
| Compare | Electric heater | Gas central heating |
|---|---|---|
| Annual running cost (3-bed) | £2,800 to £3,500 | £1,100 to £1,500Better |
| Upfront cost | £200 to £1,500 per room or setupBetter | £2,500 to £5,500 for boiler and radiators |
| Maintenance | MinimalBetter | £70 to £100 annual boiler service plus repairs |
| Installation disruption | MinimalBetter | Pipework, boiler and radiator work |
| Carbon emissions | Higher for whole-home direct electric heating | Lower than direct electric in many current homesBetter |
| Best for | Small flats, off-gas homes and single rooms | Whole homes with a gas connection |
Pros and cons
Electric heater pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Lowest upfront cost
- ✓No boiler servicing
- ✓Simple installation
- ✓Good for heating one room
- ✓Works off the gas grid
Cons
- -High running cost for whole homes
- -Can be slow or patchy across several rooms
- -High electricity use in winter
- -Not ideal for large homes
Gas central heating pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Much cheaper to run for whole homes
- ✓Heats several rooms quickly
- ✓Familiar and widely serviced
- ✓Works well with smart controls
Cons
- -Higher installation cost
- -Annual service required
- -Needs gas connection and pipework
- -Not available off the gas grid
Cost examples
Small flat
If you heat one or two rooms occasionally, electric heaters can be acceptable despite the higher unit rate.
- Likely fit
- Electric
3-bed semi
For regular whole-home heating, gas central heating is usually far cheaper over a winter.
- Electric
- £2,940
- Gas
- £1,230
Off-gas property
If gas is not available, compare direct electric heating with a heat pump before committing.
- Next check
- Heat pump
When to choose Electric heater
- ›You only heat one room at a time
- ›You rent or cannot install central heating
- ›You have no gas connection
- ›You need a low upfront cost
- ›Heating use is occasional
When to choose Gas central heating
- ›You heat a whole home regularly
- ›Your home already has gas and radiators
- ›Winter bills are the main concern
- ›You want faster whole-home heating
- ›You can manage annual servicing
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FAQs
Is gas central heating always cheaper than electric heaters?
For whole-home heating, usually yes. Gas has a much lower unit cost, so even after boiler efficiency it is often 2 to 3 times cheaper than direct electric heat.
Can I replace gas central heating with electric heaters?
You can, but running costs will usually rise sharply unless you only heat small areas or move to a heat pump or other efficient system.
Do electric heaters have any advantage over gas?
Yes. They are cheap to buy, easy to install, need little maintenance and let you heat only specific rooms.
What about electric storage heaters?
Storage heaters on Economy 7 can be cheaper than standard electric heaters, but they are still not usually as cheap as gas for whole-home heating.
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