18/02/2025

Are electric boilers better than storage heaters?

Electric Boilers vs Storage Heaters: Which One is Right for You?

When considering electric heating solutions for your home, two common options stand out: electric boilers and storage heaters. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, but if you’re looking for efficiency, convenience, and long-term cost-effectiveness, there are some critical factors to consider. In this blog, we’ll compare the two heating systems in terms of efficiency, cost, installation, maintenance, and servicing to help you make an informed decision.

1. Efficiency

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers are highly efficient as they convert nearly 100% of electricity into usable heat. They work by heating water, which then circulates through radiators or underfloor heating systems, providing a consistent and even heat distribution across your home. The biggest advantage of an electric boiler is that it heats all radiators in the house simultaneously, unlike storage heaters, which operate individually.

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters, on the other hand, rely on charging up during off-peak hours (typically at night) and releasing heat throughout the day. While this may seem energy-efficient in theory, it has a major drawback: the heat is released whether you need it or not. If the stored heat is depleted too early in the day, you may be left without warmth when you need it most, unless you switch to expensive on-peak electricity to recharge the heater.

Verdict: Electric boilers provide on-demand heating, making them more reliable and adaptable to your heating needs.

2. Running Costs

Electric Boilers

A key benefit of an electric boiler is that it only heats water when required, reducing wasted energy. Unlike storage heaters, which must be charged overnight regardless of actual usage, electric boilers operate efficiently by responding to your specific heating demands.

Additionally, since an electric boiler powers multiple radiators simultaneously, the overall energy consumption is often lower compared to having several individual storage heaters running throughout the house.

Storage Heaters

While storage heaters benefit from off-peak electricity rates, they can still be costly in the long run because they cannot adapt to fluctuating heating needs. Any excess heat not used during the day is wasted, and if extra heating is needed in the evening, on-peak electricity must be used, which is significantly more expensive than running an electric boiler.

Verdict: Electric boilers tend to have lower running costs because they only use electricity when heat is needed, unlike storage heaters, which consume electricity regardless of usage.

3. Installation

Electric Boilers

Installing an electric boiler is relatively straightforward. It typically requires a single compact unit to be connected to the existing radiator system or underfloor heating. There’s no need for large water tanks or additional storage, making it a space-saving solution.

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters require multiple units to be installed in different rooms, each needing its own dedicated power connection. This makes installation more time-consuming and space-intensive compared to a single electric boiler unit.

Verdict: Electric boilers win in terms of ease of installation, taking up less space and requiring only one unit compared to multiple storage heaters.

4. Maintenance and Servicing

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers are low-maintenance as they have fewer moving parts than gas or oil boilers. However, to maintain warranty and efficiency, it is recommended to have them serviced every one to two years by a qualified technician.

Storage Heaters

Storage heaters require minimal servicing, but if individual units fail, they must be repaired or replaced separately, which can be inconvenient and costly over time.

Verdict: Both require minimal maintenance, but servicing an electric boiler is more straightforward compared to managing multiple storage heaters.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Why Choose an Electric Boiler Over a Storage Heater?

✅ Instant heating – No waiting for heat to be released. ✅ More control – Heats when you need it, rather than predetermined times. ✅ Lower running costs – Uses energy only when required. ✅ Space-saving – One compact unit vs. multiple storage heaters. ✅ Even heat distribution – Warms all rooms efficiently.

While storage heaters may seem attractive due to off-peak electricity savings, the lack of flexibility and potential for wasted heat makes them less cost-effective compared to electric boilers. If you want reliable, efficient, and cost-effective heating, an electric boiler is the better choice.