Electric Boilers in Ireland: Prices and Info

By Cormac Breen

Content Manager

A new electric boiler can cost between €600 to €1,200 with more expensive models often costing more. Electric boilers are more expensive to run compared to gas or oil boilers, as the price of electricity is usually much higher than that of gas. Unlike gas or oil boilers, electric boilers are not being phased out as they don't directly run on a carbon emitting fuel.

How Much Is a New Electric Boiler?

The price of a new electric boiler is typically between €600 to €1,200 depending on the size and model. While smaller boilers tend to be cheaper, they may not be as efficient as larger models

A premium electric boiler will often be more expensive, reaching up to €3,000. However, it will also tend to be longer-lasting.

Are Electric Boilers More Expensive Than Gas or Oil?

Given that the average cost of electricity is higher than that of gas or oil, heating your home using an electric boiler is always going to be more expensive.

Having said that, there are several factors that impact on the total cost of heating a home regardless of which type of boiler you have, including:

1. The size of your home
2. Number of occupants
3. How well insulated it is
4. Your average consumption

The following table gives a basic breakdown of the difference in price between the three types of boilers:

The advantages of electric boilers lie more in their energy efficiency and minimal maintenance, no bleeding for example, and not in their low running costs. 

Even though they are more energy efficient, the amount of energy saved is not enough to offset the higher cost of electricity, and it is worth switching energy providers to reduce the costs of electrical boilers.

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What Is an Electric Boiler?

Just like any other type of boiler, an electric boiler provides hot water and central heating. Instead of using gas or oil to produce heat, however, an electric boiler uses electricity. It works just like an electric kettle, except it’s sized to heat your home.

The electricity heats a series of elements inside the boiler, which then heats the water. Once the water has been heated, it is then pumped around your home to where it’s needed. It can be used to heat the following:

• Radiators
• Underfloor heating systems
• Hot water cylinders

While electric radiators come in a variety of sizes, they tend to be smaller and more compact than gas, biomass or oil boilers. They also do not require any of the following:

• Flue
• Fuel pipes
• Outdoor fuel tanks

Since they don’t need a flue (the pipe that runs from the boilers to outside your house) and are smaller than other boiler types, electric boilers can be fitted almost anywhere and require less installation time.

What Electric Boiler Types Are There?

We break down the main types of electric boilers below.

1. Electric Combi Boiler (Direct)
   A combi boiler heats water on demand. It is typically cheaper and easier to install than other types of electric boilers because it doesn’t require a tank.
2. Storage Boiler
   A storage electric boiler heats water to store in a hot water tank. With this type of boiler, you can take advantage of cheaper electricity rates at night if you have a smart meter or day/night meter.
3. Dry Core Storage Boiler
   This boiler works by heating bricks at night. The heat is then released into the water the following day. Households with this type of boiler can also take advantage of cheaper electricity during off-peak hours if they have a smart meter or a day/night meter.
4. Combined Primary Storage Unit (CPSU)
   It stores hot water within the boiler so that it can meet demand much faster and at a higher temperature. This type of electric boiler tends to be rather large and is more suited for commercial use.

Electric Boiler vs Gas Boiler

Electric and gas boilers are similar in many ways, from their function to the different types on the market. 

For houses that don’t require any additional upgrades to the electrical infrastructure, the installation costs are also much the same for electric and gas boilers. Electrical boilers tend not to need replacing like gas boilers.

Before choosing to switch, or which to opt for in a new build, it is important to know the advantages of both.

How Efficient Are Electric Boilers?

Electric boilers typically have an efficiency rating of 99 to 100%. This means that for every euro you spend on heating, very little (if any) is wasted on lost energy. 

This is also great when it comes to having your boiler serviced since it guarantees efficient functioning for longer.

In comparison, gas boilers typically have a maximum efficiency rating of 93%. For every euro spent on heating, around seven cents are wasted, plus the extra paying for a gas boiler service.

Both electric and gas boilers are ideal for different households, and there are different factors which will determine which one is ‘better’. Gas boilers are generally more powerful and can meet higher heating and hot water demands, and they are cheaper to run.