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Should new builds be all-electric?

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In 2019, the government announced that gas boilers would be banned in new builds from 2025 onwards in an attempt to tackle climate change, as 14% of greenhouse gas emissions come from energy usage in homes. This move is a great step forward in tackling the climate crisis.

However, electric heating can be an intimidating concept to many people who are not familiar with it. Let us talk you through the different types of electrical heating, as well as the pros and cons of switching from gas to electric.

Types of electrical heating

The two main types of electrical heating are electric radiators and heat pumps.

Electric radiators are the cheapest form of electrical heating. They are simple to install and are ideal for new builds due to their excellent insulation. Electric radiators come in a variety of styles and sizes, ensuring that you will find one that suits you.

Sites like traderadiators.com have excellent selections of electric radiators for customers to choose from.

Heat pumps are a slightly pricier way of heating your home, as their installation process is a bit more complex. Heat pumps are more effective for heating bigger houses than electric radiators are, as they draw heat from either the ground or the air. They usually are a good choice for larger business premises, for example.

Pumps that draw heat from the air are better for small properties, whereas, pumps that draw heat from the ground are better for big properties. Heat pumps work their best in properties with good insulation and are therefore perfect for new builds.

Pros of electrical heating

Electric radiators are much easier to install than gas central heating. Electric radiators connect to the electricity mains so this means there is no tricky pipework to work with.

Electric radiators are also much better for the planet than gas-powered radiators, as they do not produce harmful emissions. If you are looking to do your bit to help stop climate change, switching to electrical heating is an excellent solution.

New builds have strong insulation and therefore, are quite easy to heat. Due to this, an electric radiator will do just as well at heating your home as gas central heating would.

Electric radiators are much easier to replace than ones that are powered by gas central heating. Electric radiators work independently and are thus easier to switch out a faulty one as it has no impact on any other radiator in your home.

Electrical radiators are also safer, as there is no chance of a potentially fatal carbon monoxide leak. Electric radiators also take away the risk of water damage to your property as there is no chance of them leaking.

They are also much easier to maintain, as they do not need to undergo regular maintenance checks the way that gas-powered radiators do. Instead, you just need to make sure that the radiator and its surrounding areas are clean and clear.

Cons of electrical heating

Heat pumps tend to be more expensive than a gas-based central heating system. However, the costs are likely to decrease over the next few years as electrical heating begins to become the norm.

Electrical heating is also not as efficient in older and less well-insulated houses, however, this is not really an issue as they will only be mandatory in new builds as of 2025.

Final thoughts

Change is always scary, even at the best of times. It is understandable why people may be apprehensive towards electric-only new builds in the future.

However, this environmentally-friendly way of heating your home is nothing to be scared of as it will keep new homes well heated and safe.