Wondering which heating method will cost you less in the long run? Here we explore the average costs.
At present, over 11 million homes in the UK are equipped with a gas fire and regardless of costs, many prefer them due to their aesthetic appeal.
Whether you currently have a gas fire installed or are considering one, you’ll likely want to know how it compares to the running costs of your central heating.
With the ongoing energy and cost of living crisis, households are understandably trying to limit their expenses wherever possible with heating being especially concerning.
Some people believe that it’s more efficient and cheaper to heat a room using a gas fire as opposed to central heating.
But is this true?
Let’s investigate...
Gas Fires vs Central Heating - Which is Cheaper to Heat a Single Room?
You might find it surprising to know that it’s generally cheaper to heat one room with central heating instead of a gas fire. This is mainly due to differences in efficiency.
However, working out exactly which is cheapest to heat a single room isn't always cut and dry as there are many variables at play.
Typically, if you have a modern central heating system with heating controls and thermostatic radiator valves (that allow you to control the heat output in each room), it will most likely work out cheaper to use your central heating.
How Much Does Central Heating Cost to Run?
Aside from the type of fuel your central heating uses, running costs can also differ based on the following factors:
The power output of your boiler
Heating system efficiency
Type/size of the property
How well your home keeps the heat in
Whether you have thermostatic radiator valves
The current Energy Price Cap for gas is 5.48p per Kilowatt Hour.
As previously mentioned, it's difficult to provide a figure for this as there are many variables at play e.g. the size of the property, the temperature preferences of the household etc.
However, one major factor that impacts the running cost of central heating primarily varies depending on the type of fuel being used.
Gas central heating is the most common option and currently costs around £0.10 per kWh on average.
For alternative fuel sources, it currently costs around £0.12 per kWh for LPG, £0.34 per kWh for electricity (applicable to electric boilers and heat pumps), and around £0.09 per kWh for oil.
How Much Do Gas Fires Cost to Run?
Again, the current cost of gas is limited to around £0.10 per kWh.
With the power output of gas fires generally ranging from 3kW to 7kW, this means it usually costs between £0.30 and £0.70 per hour to run.
If you have a specific gas fire in mind and you know how much you pay for your gas, you can calculate the estimated hourly running cost using the following equation:
kW power output of Gas Fire x unit price per kWh = Hourly Running Cost (£)
For example, if you have a gas fire that is 7,000 watts divide by 1,000 to get the kWH = 7kWh, multiply that by the unit price you pay for electricity i.e. 10p = 70p per hour.
Please note that running costs may change significantly when the EPG expires.
However, to what extent they will change is virtually impossible to say right now.
Is Central Heating Cheaper than Gas?
As mentioned, it is usually cheaper to run central heating to heat a single room than a gas fire.
However, this will largely depend on whether you have adjustable radiators i.e. radiators with thermostatic valves.
With only one radiator on, your central heating system will heat the room much faster since it’s more efficient.
Ultimately, its greater efficiency levels can more than outweigh the higher power outputs of your central heating system, thus making it cheaper overall.
However, an electric boiler may prove an exception since it costs £0.34 per kWh to run.
Depending on the cost factors discussed earlier, there’s a higher chance that an electric boiler-based central heating system will cost more than a gas fire.
With that said, it could prove much cheaper if you used on-site renewable technology (e.g., solar panels) to power your electric boiler. This is because solar panels can generate electricity and in turn, help power the electric boiler and/or heat pump.
How to tell which is cheaper for your home
There is no universal answer to “Is it cheaper to use a gas fire or central heating?” as there are many variables involved.
However, to heat one room, the central heating will generally be cheaper.
If you have a smart meter, you can compare each method and see the costs for an accurate comparison. This is the most reliable way to check and compare each for your specific circumstances.
Heating a Single Room
Since central heating will take under an hour to heat one room and depending on the output of the radiator used as well as the type of heating system used, you’re looking at spending anywhere from a few pence to £0.70 to heat a room.
Of course, daily running costs may go up a little over the subsequent hours as your heating system occasionally works to maintain the room temperature, though it shouldn’t make a huge difference overall.
Heating Your Entire Property
You can’t heat an entire home with a single gas fire.
However, you may be considering heating one room with a gas fire and using minimal heating solutions elsewhere (e.g., using electric heaters for your bedrooms).
Is this approach cheaper than central heating?
In theory, yes, it could prove more affordable since, ultimately, you wouldn’t be heating your entire home with this approach.
It would, however, depend largely on the size of your property.
For instance, if you have a small home and continue to heat 80% of the amount of space as central heating would, it’s unlikely to be cheaper.
Moreover, there are numerous potential downsides and even risks associated with a limited approach like the above.
Your main concern will be ensuring that everyone on the property is kept warm. You don’t want to run the risk of anyone ending up unwell or worse.
That’s why it is essential to consider the ideal room temperature and make sure that no one in your house is left too cold.
If in doubt, consult with a professional.
Do not leave anything to chance as exposure to low temperatures can be very dangerous, especially for vulnerable individuals.
How to Reduce Your Heating Bills
No matter if you use a gas fireplace or central heating, there are steps you can take to reduce energy waste and in turn your energy bills.
These include the following:
#1 Limit your energy use as much as possible
Using less energy may sound obvious, but it’s one of the simplest ways to limit your spending. Therefore, try to cut down on your gas and electricity use as much as possible.
#2 Don't keep your heating on constantly
There is also a very common myth that keeping your heating on low constantly is cheaper than only using your heating, but as the Energy Saving Trust confirms, this is not true.
It’s also a good idea to install draft excluders and close your curtains to avoid the heat escaping from the room.
For more tips, check out our complete energy-saving guide.
#3 Turn down your thermostat
Turning your thermostat down can have a dramatic impact on your energy bill too, especially when you consider more than half of the energy used in the average UK household is spent on heating.
Therefore, it's worth noting that simply turning down your heating by just one degree could save you up to £80 a year.
Turning down your boiler flow temperature could also save you up to 8% on your heating bill too, check our new guide on whether to turn the radiators off in unused rooms for another quick and free energy-saving hack.
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