Wherever you live, one important thing you will need to take care of is heating your home. Even in today’s ecologically aware world, you can employ the very best roofer to help keep heat in, but you will still need a heat source.
Gas and Electricity are the two main ways of achieving this and, although most residences already have central heating installed one way or another, you can always change if you wish to use the other method. But which way is better for you? To make a decision it is necessary to weigh out the benefits of each, which are as follows:
Gas
Gas is carried all across the country through a pipeline so the cost of connecting your home will depend on where your house is in relation to it, if you aren’t already connected.
Gas is used for central heating, and can also be used for cooking, and any amount you use is recorded as it passes through your meter. But please ensure you seek professional help should you be connecting your property to a main supply. This is not really a job for your painter and decorator.
Pros
- Efficiency – Gas is a very efficient form of fuel so you can be sure every penny you spend on it will go far.
- Value – Although it costs money to install a boiler, the bright side is that this will increase the value of your house and many buyers will find the notion of a ready-installed boiler very appealing.
- Storage – Since gas is pumped straight into your home as and when you use it, you do not need to worry about storing any fuel. This is also preferable to having to load your boiler with solid fuel on a daily basis.
- Other Appliances – As well as heating, gas can be used to power your cooker, which is certainly more cost-effective than an electric one. Gas fireplaces are also easy to use and provide an excellent way to heat a room.
Cons
- Expensive – Unfortunately high demand has caused gas prices to rise and since the UK is not self-sufficient any more, they won’t be dropping any time soon.
- Installation Fees – If you are connecting for the first time, it can be very costly. As well as any installation costs for your boiler, your house will need to be connected to the main network as well.
- Potentially Dangerous – There is a risk of carbon monoxide being produced if a gas appliance is not well ventilated. This is not always easy to detect and can prove to be lethal. Natural gas is also flammable so it is always vital to make sure all appliances are turned off when not in use.
- Maintenance – Gas boilers need to be checked by a registered professional at least once a year to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
Electricity
As your home will no doubt already be connected to an electricity supply, you may prefer to simply include heating and cooking appliances in your usage.
Pros
- Cheap Installation – It is a lot easier to install an electric heating system as no pipe-work is required and it is simply a case of connecting it to your existing power supply – a professional handyman will be able to do this or a qualified electrician
- Low Maintenance – Storage heaters are easy enough to look after and you won’t need to worry about getting them checked too often.
- Availability – Electricity is available almost anywhere in the country so you will almost certainly be able to get connected easily.
Cons
- Inefficient – Despite cheap and easy installation, electricity is more expensive per unit of energy used and will lead to higher utility bills.
- Daytime Rates – Different tariffs are usually available so be sure to choose carefully as many will charge more for daytime use, which won’t suit everybody.
- Control – Some heaters, especially older models, only provide heat if the bricks stay warm so you may find you do not have much control over how well your home is heated.
AUTOPOST by BEDEWY VISIT GAHZLY
