What is better and more profitable – a gas or electric boiler? Arguments for choosing the most practical option

All owners of private houses would like to get an autonomous heating system with the least investment. It remains to decide which is better - a gas or electric boiler, if both of these energy sources are available.

In fact, this task is not very simple, since in addition to the variety of prices for equipment, there are many more nuances regarding connection, registration of documents and energy tariffs. If you approach this question seriously, you can get a reasoned answer to it and ultimately make the right choice.

Let's figure out together which version of the unit and the heating installed on its basis will be more practical. The article we present provides an assessment of the cost of installation work and a comparison of economic indicators. The information we provide will help you make the right choice.

What are the differences between gas and electric boilers

When choosing a gas or electric boiler for heating a private home, you first need to understand the features associated with the operation of each heating unit:

• The principle of operation is that in gas equipment, a coil passing directly above the burner is used to heat the coolant. Heating is carried out by flame from gas combustion. Household electric boilers use the principle of direct or direct heating of the coolant. The likelihood of an explosion (present in gas boilers) is completely absent.
• Stability of operation - an electric boiler requires a stable voltage in the network, which in domestic operating realities is not always possible. The gas pressure in the line may also fluctuate.
• Safety - gas boilers differ from electric ones in that the operation of the former is based on the constant ignition and extinguishing of the gas burner, which in itself is potentially dangerous. It is not surprising that strict requirements are imposed on the installation of gas equipment. Adjustment requires complex automation.
• Control - in this regard, an electric or gas boiler for heating a private house is not much different. If necessary, you can install a remote control unit, regulate operation using room thermostats, etc.

Let's compare networks

Electricity

The undeniable advantages of electric boilers:

• there is no need to constantly be in the house while the boiler is operating and clean it;
• no additional communications or storage required;
• automatic shutdown is triggered in the event of a short circuit in the network or elevated temperature conditions.

Be sure to find out the condition of internal and external electrical networks, incl. “free” power of the transformer substation, which is located near your home, how uninterrupted the power supply to your area will be; Will it be possible to install a cable with a voltage of 380 V (three-phase) for construction?

Which boilers have higher efficiency - gas or electricity?

The comparison of an electric boiler and gas equipment can be continued by comparing the efficiency of each device:

• Gas boilers are classic models and have an efficiency of 88-92%. In condensing boilers, the coefficient increases to 108%.
• Electric boilers - performance depends on the principle of operation. Electrode boilers have an efficiency of 100%, their use is efficient and economical. Models using the principle of indirect heating of the coolant have a lower efficiency. A large amount of heat is lost during the heating process.

Comparative characteristics of the efficiency of electric and gas boilers show that the models have almost identical parameters. Electrode boilers benefit somewhat.

To perform the calculation, you must answer the following questions:

• How often do power outages occur?
• How much electricity does the boiler need to operate?
• What gas pressure ensures the operation of gas units?
• What features does a particular residential property have (type, footage, level of thermal insulation)?
• How many rooms are planned to be heated?
• What are the requirements for the boiler?
• What type of heating is planned to be organized (only radiators, heated floors, combined, with the availability of hot water for domestic needs, calculating consumption per month for each resident)?

Based on this information, specialists will be able to decide which type of boiler is more profitable to install - gas or electric. Heating design includes drawing up estimates, as well as calculating monthly costs taking into account the selected energy carrier.

A starting point

To make an economical and safe payment, answer the following questions:

1. How accessible are communications and what characteristics do they have, namely:

• whether there will be power outages;
• maximum value of electrical power;
• average gas pressure and its purity.

1. What is your house: type of building, its footage, wall material and presence of insulation, % of heat loss, which rooms will be heated.
2. What is required from the boiler? There are different situations: heating using radiators alone, or using heated floors; Is there a need for hot water based on the number of residents plus their average water consumption per month.

Only after this specialists will be able to decide what is suitable for you: a gas boiler or an electric boiler

When designing turnkey heating, it is important not only to familiarize yourself with the estimate, but also to require the organization to calculate monthly costs depending on which energy carrier has become your priority

Which boiler is more profitable and economical?

A more accurate calculation can only be made regarding operating costs. It is important to consider that there are also costs for running a gas main to the house (from 200 to 500 thousand rubles), costs for design, installation and connection (from 5 to 50 thousand rubles), costs for organizing a three-phase electrical network (5-15 thousand). rubles) and other expense items, the amount of which always depends on the specific situation and is calculated individually.

We can only calculate and compare the costs of fuel that will presumably be spent on heating a private house with electric and gas boilers.

We calculate the energy efficiency of gas boilers

The photo shows a wall-mounted single-circuit gas model Vaillant EcoTEC.
The energy consumption of a gas boiler necessary for comparison can be calculated in two ways: through the maximum consumption of natural gas (which is always indicated in the technical specifications) and through the specific heat of combustion.

For a rough calculation based on the maximum flow rate, let’s take as an example one of the most well-known models of gas boilers - BAXI ECO Four 1.14 F with a power of 14 kW, the maximum possible flow rate of which is 1.6 m3/hour. Per day this is 1.6 (m3/hour) * 24 (hours) = 38.4 m3. In value terms, according to the current tariff for natural gas in the Moscow region (from July 1, 2022) 5.7 rubles/m3 – 38.4(m3) * 5.7(rubles) = 218.88 rubles/day.

More practical and accurate is the calculation based on the specific heat of combustion of natural gas, which is 9.3-10 kW per m3. It follows that for 1 kW of thermal power of a gas boiler, about 0.1-0.108 m3 of natural gas is required.

To heat an average house with a masonry of 2 bricks and a ceiling height of 2.7 m, located in the climatic zone of the Moscow region, 1 kW of heating capacity of heating equipment is required for every 10 m2. This rule is based on the average heat loss (1 kW for every 10 m2) of the described house.

Let's say there is the above-described average house with an area of ​​140 m2, the heat loss of which will be 14 kW (per hour). Per day this is 14*24 = 336 kW. That is, the boiler needs to replenish 336 kW of heat loss, for this it will spend - 0.1 (m3, volume of gas to produce 1 kW of thermal energy) * 336 (kW, heat loss per day) * 1.1 (boiler efficiency 90%, exact value depends on the model) = 36.96 m3. In value terms, this is 36.96*5.7 = 210.67 rubles/day.

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Accordingly, the norm of 1 kW per 10 m2 is calculated taking into account the entire heating season. This means that heat loss, and, accordingly, gas consumption, will be maximum (218.88 rubles/day) with the highest heat loss of 14 kW on cold days or minimum on warmer days of autumn/spring. On average for the season for the house described above, it will still be 210.67 rubles/day.

We calculate the energy efficiency of electric boilers

The photo shows a compact heating element Proterm Skat 13.

The efficiency of modern electric boilers is 99% or more, which means that at maximum load a 14 kW electric boiler will consume 14.14 kW of electricity. To simplify the calculations, we will not take into account the efficiency close to unity and assume that the consumption of an electric boiler = its power.

For a visual comparison, let’s take the same house with an area of ​​140 m2, the heat loss of which will be 14 kW (per hour). Per day this is 14*24 = 336 kW. That is, the electric boiler needs to replenish 336 kW of heat loss, for this it will spend 336 (kW) * 5.56 (rubles per 1 kWh, electricity tariff from July 1, 2022) = 1,868.16 rubles/day.

Accordingly, this is the maximum possible daily consumption of an electric boiler with a heat loss of 14 kW. In practice, the boiler unit operates only 40-70% of the time, so real costs will be in the range of 747.2 - 1,307.7 rubles/day , which is still a significant indicator.

What is ultimately more profitable: a gas or electric boiler?

From an economic point of view, even taking into account the costs of connecting to the gas main, the higher cost of gas equipment, installation and commissioning costs, a gas boiler is more profitable than an electric one and this is a long-known fact. It is confirmed both by rough calculations and in practice: heating a house with a gas boiler is cheaper and more economical, although not as practical, simple and comfortable.

However, electric boilers can be completely justified economically: in small private houses with an area of ​​40-60 m2, in which the actual cost of heating with electricity, according to reviews from the owners, is 5,000-9,000 rubles per month.

It is even more justified to purchase an electric boiler if you plan to stay in the house temporarily, for example, visiting for the weekend. Then the lower cost of the boiler itself and its connection will pay off the high operating costs for a long time. Especially if you resort to the saving methods described below.

Ways to significantly save fuel

How to choose an external thermostat and save up to 30% on heating every month

If the automation does not provide the ability to program the operating mode, you can seriously reduce the consumption of both electricity and gas by the boiler by connecting a programmable room thermostat to it (if it is possible to connect external control, information about this is always indicated in the technical specifications).

An example of a room programmable thermostat (model – Teplocom TS-Prog-2AA8A).

A programmable room thermostat controls the operation of the boiler in priority mode and focuses on measuring the air temperature in the room in which it is installed, and not on the coolant temperature. However, the main and most important task for saving purposes is the programming mode of work settings for the next day and week. For example, during working hours when the owners are away from home, you can set the temperature to 15°C. And during sleep – 18 or 19°C. Such parameters will not affect comfort, but will significantly reduce the final consumption.

An indispensable element when heating with an electric boiler is an electric meter that differentiates electricity consumption by two, or better yet, by three time zones. For example, for the Moscow region the following tariffs are differentiated by time zones:

• peak zone (from 7:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00) – 5.06 rubles per 1 kWh;
• half-peak zone (from 10:00 to 17:00 and from 21:00 to 23:00) – 3.89 rubles per 1 kWh;
• night zone (from 23:00 to 7:00) – 1.68 rubles per 1 kWh.

In practice, the costs of purchasing, designing and installing such a metering device pay for themselves in a few months, since they reduce costs in monetary terms by 15-25%.

BoilersWays to save Comparison of boilersEnergy-saving technologies

Advantages of electric heating

According to many developers, heating with electricity is more profitable for owners of country houses, since this does not require connecting to the main gas pipeline, which, moreover, is not available everywhere.

This system does not require large start-up costs, and the advantages are obvious:

1. Easy installation. Installing an electric boiler is quite simple - you can do it yourself. This does not require a separate boiler room, nor does it require coordination and registration of equipment installation with inspection authorities;
2. Can be equipped quickly and cheaply. There is no need to spend money and time on preparing and obtaining a project, technical conditions, or waiting for the commissioning certificate;
3. No excavation or pipe laying required;
4. There is no need to equip a chimney and sensors that should monitor safety and smoke;
5. Higher safety and environmental friendliness. There is no risk of explosion from electric boilers; they do not emit carbon monoxide or form combustion products;
6. The system is very easy to operate , and electric boilers are more convenient to use.

Disadvantages of electric heating

However, this system also has many negative aspects:

1. Electricity is 7 (!) times inferior to gas in heat transfer efficiency . Simply put, a gas boiler needs 7 times less fuel to heat the same area;
2. A stable voltage is required . The functioning of the system directly depends on the voltage in the electrical network (and in the private sector, interruptions occur quite often);
3. Extremely high electricity consumption during the cold season . In order to warm up a room of 10 square meters, you need to spend a kilowatt of electrical energy. It turns out that to heat a house with an area of ​​150 square meters. m. it is necessary to constantly consume 15 kW (which in many towns and villages is the maximum power allocated to the site). And this is only for batteries, not counting other devices that consume electricity.

Of course, many owners are frightened by the prospect of paying tens of thousands of rubles monthly on electricity bills in winter. Is there any way to reduce these costs?

Yes it is possible. If you reduce heat loss in your home to a minimum by thoroughly insulating it inside and out, you can significantly reduce electricity consumption, and therefore heating costs.

You can also install a multi-tariff meter. Such meters allow you to use electricity more efficiently, depending not only on current consumption, but also on the time of day.

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In addition, do not forget about converter heating, where there is absolutely no need to spend money on a boiler, and the heating itself can be local.

Before installing the gas unit, you should find out:

• pressure level and quality of gas
• features and cost of connection
• the amount of time that may be needed to coordinate the work (from design to launch)
• how does the insertion take place?

When replacing gas equipment If you need to replace a gas boiler with an analogue, you should be prepared to present the specialists with a certificate for the unit and a heating system plan. Only after this the installation can be carried out.

Note! Electricity is safer than gas, and therefore the procedure for organizing heating will require the preparation of fewer documents, which will increase the speed of installation. As a rule, many residential property owners are dissatisfied with voltage stability.

It happens that the tension disappears and may not appear for a long time. This feature puts the gas boiler in first place, because such units are not so externally dependent. Therefore, to ensure uninterrupted operation of the heating system, it is additionally recommended to install a generator and batteries.

Disadvantages of gas heating

1. If the house was not initially connected to the gas main, then the initial connection costs are so high that not everyone can afford it. And if the owner of a house with a plot of land does not foresee income growth in the future, then you can safely install an electric boiler. And don’t worry about the difference in the cost of energy carriers;
2. Do not forget that gas is a rather explosive substance. And here, inevitably, you will think again before installing gas heating in your house;
3. A gas water heating system is inconvenient for short-term use and takes too long to warm up (when the house is used sporadically during the colder months).

Summarizing all of the above

Weighing all the pros and cons, all the pros and cons, we can definitely say the following: if the house was purchased with gas heating already connected, then of course it is not worth changing it.

If you are not ready to invest almost a million rubles in your house so that it has gas, and the speed of heating the rooms is also important to you (in this regard, gas heating loses to electric heating), it is better to give preference to electric heating.

The fact is that electrical systems do not have this drawback, especially if you use a boiler-air system. The whole trick of quick warming up is convection - room air is taken in by the system, then heated and returned to the room, taken in again, and so on in a circle. Such systems are characterized by very high efficiency - and produce more heat than they consume energy.

In terms of monthly expenses, heating a house with gas is definitely more profitable than with electricity: the cost of heating the same area is 7 times cheaper.

However, taking into account all the costs of equipment, connection and maintenance, the difference is no longer so obvious. And in some cases (for example, when the gas main is located too far away, or when the house is used only for short-term recreation), electric heating looks like a more preferable solution.

Buy a gas or electric boiler

Device comparison

Moving away from energy efficiency parameters, you need to remember the advantages and disadvantages of both devices. Among the advantages of electrical equipment are the following features:

• Wide power range (2-60 kW). From these you can choose models up to 20 kW, suitable for individual heating. Thus, the miniature Tenko economy KE 6_220 with a power of 6 kW will heat the average apartment up to 68 m². There are also more powerful 30 kW options, such as Vaillant eloBlock 28 kW with a heating area of ​​about 200 square meters. Such units satisfy the needs of industrial and commercial facilities.
• Environmental friendliness is another advantage of the technology - it does not produce emissions of combustion products.
• Variability: electric boilers heat water. Such devices are easy to operate, silent, reliable, and durable.

As disadvantages, we cannot keep silent about:

• High amounts of energy payments.
• Outlet dependencies.
• Electrical wiring required.

If we talk about gas analogues, then they also have their own characteristics. So, the advantages of gas-powered boilers:

• The power of gas equipment is enough to heat objects of colossal size. Model NOVA FLORIDA CATU32MF99 will heat 1000 m2!
• Gas in automatic boilers is supplied continuously; they will turn off as soon as the fuel supply stops (which happens infrequently, unlike the supply of electricity).
• Easy to use. The equipment is designed for long-term operation.

There were some downsides:

• A complex installation that comes with many nuances. You will have to touch on the technical side of the issue and the bureaucratic side, drawing up the appropriate documentation, permits, and approvals.
• The need to equip a chimney that removes waste substances.
• The need for good ventilation and separate access to the street.
• There is no benefit from installing such boilers in rooms up to 100 m2.

Let's summarize what has been said. Our calculations have finally decided: the efficiency of an electric boiler is beyond doubt, although its gas counterpart with a condensing mechanism competes with it in energy efficiency.

Don’t forget about the increased efficiency of an electric boiler - it is 25% higher than that of a relatively cheap gas device, for example Ferroli DivaProject. All this says one thing: feel free to choose an electrode boiler if you need to heat an ordinary apartment up to 100 square meters, and you won’t regret it!

Related video: Heating a home is four times cheaper than a gas boiler

Famous brands of gas boilers

When choosing heating equipment, pay attention not only to the technical characteristics of the model, appearance and cost, but also to the manufacturer. The catalogs of our online store contain models from famous European, Asian and Russian brands.

Buderus (Germany)

The company specializes in the production of high-quality, reliable heating equipment. The products are very popular among consumers around the world, because they combine power, reliability, and safety. The company produces condensation and convection models, wall-mounted and floor-mounted gas heating boilers. The advantages of products from this brand include the following:

• high efficiency;
• additional functionality (autoignition, pressure gauge, informative display);
• advanced security system;
• almost silent operation.

Models are manufactured using cast iron heat exchangers. They are characterized by increased strength and durability, are resistant to corrosion, and retain heat for a long time after heating.

Ariston (Italy)

One of the most popular brands of heating equipment. Its products are environmentally friendly, low resource consumption, and highly efficient. The models are absolutely adapted to work in conditions of unstable fuel pressure. They are equipped with copper heat exchangers and are characterized by a presentable design and affordable cost.

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Navien (South Korea)

Reliable heating devices from this manufacturer are designed for normal and extreme operating conditions. A wide range of models will satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers. The equipment is equipped with a protection system against surges in voltage, gas pressure and coolant pressure. You can control the devices using your smartphone. The catalogs present options with universal and exotic designs.

Electric heating boilers

When choosing an electric boiler, you need to take into account the following criteria: number of circuits, method of heating the coolant, design, power, design, cost. Domestic and foreign manufacturers are constantly improving heating equipment manufacturing technologies, so the buyer can purchase functional, practical, safe models at an affordable cost.

• Zota is a domestic product that is characterized by power and a high level of efficiency. Some models are equipped with a GSM module, which allows you to control them remotely.
• Evan is a Russian company that produces devices of excellent quality. Some units are fully automated, which significantly increases the efficiency and safety of operation.
• Protherm electric heating boilers operate on a two- or three-phase connection. The design of the models includes a hydraulic unit, an expansion tank, a pressure sensor, and various protective modules.
• The Vaillant company produces multifunctional heating devices. They are equipped with a reliable security system, are characterized by economical energy consumption, stylish, modern design.

Products of imported brands are characterized by expanded functionality. Their design provides for the presence of various modules and sensors that make using the boiler as comfortable as possible, but this also affects the cost. Models from domestic manufacturers are simpler, more practical and affordable.

Important parameters for choosing a heat source

Which heating is better? The answer to this question will depend on what you choose as evaluation criteria, but three conditions are unconditional for any type of heating:

1. The amount of thermal energy must be sufficient to ensure the standard temperature in residential premises.
2. Start-up and operating costs should be minimal.
3. Heating should be simple and safe to maintain.

When choosing between gas and electric heating, it is necessary to take into account several important parameters:

• distance of the gas pipeline,
• availability of an electrical network with the required power,
• dimensions of the heated room,
• heat loss through windows and walls.

Whatever heating system you choose, the main factor in energy saving will be the thermal insulation of the room and the correct choice of highly efficient heating radiators.

Which boiler is more convenient and easier to use?

Only the most expensive models of gas boilers are equipped with an automated configuration system. The higher the cost of a gas boiler, the simpler the system for adjusting it. For trouble-free operation of gas equipment, precise settings are required, and even minor failures can lead to system shutdown.

Electric boiler

Electric boilers are equipped with a fully automatic control system, and safety of use is monitored by built-in sensors, ensured by grounding and installation of a residual current device.

In settlements near which a central gas main is located, it is more advisable to use gas for heating the area. In all other cases, the installation of electrical equipment is considered rational.

This article is advisory and is not a guide to choosing a particular system. Answer to the question: Which is cheaper and more convenient to use: heating with gas or electricity? It is decided on an individual basis.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Work on bringing gas into a house and its cost using the example of a house in the Perm region:

About tariffs for using electricity to heat a house located within the city. Legal and technological nuances:

The use of gas and electricity when heating a house has its own characteristics. Electric heating equipment is easier and faster to connect, and natural gas is cheaper as a fuel. To determine the best economic model for heating, you need to carry out calculations for a specific object and draw up a schedule of financial costs.

Would you like to share your own opinion about the most rational and practical heating system? Do you have useful information on the topic of the article that is worth sharing with site visitors? Please leave comments in the block form below, ask questions, post photographs.

Cost of heating equipment

Approximate estimate for a house with an area of ​​100 meters2:

The average cost of equipment for an electric boiler and a double-circuit gas boiler does not differ significantly and is approximately 58-65 thousand rubles. The cost of installation work will be about 28-30 thousand rubles.