Which is better and more profitable - gas or electric boiler? Arguments for choosing the most practical option

What is more profitable?

Vlad Srebnyak says the biggest initial investment is with a heat pump system. Cheaper - at the boiler room with an electric boiler. Obviously, the “dry” system looks the most advantageous in comparison with them.

But what about in the long run? For example, how much will you have to spend on electricity for 10 years of operation of a heat pump? Vladislav calculated that, taking into account the 10% annual increase in the price of electricity, the amount will be 5,150 rubles.

Heat pump "air - water.

An electric boiler and convectors are less economical - in 10 years of operation they will “burn” electricity for 15,450 rubles.

If we add the cost of equipment to these amounts, we will see that a more voracious electric boiler becomes more expensive than a heat pump during operation: the cost of equipment and electricity over ten years will be 40.3 thousand rubles against 37 thousand.

At the same time, due to the low cost of equipment, the “dry” system looks more attractive even after 10 years: its operation and equipment cost 19.2 thousand rubles.

And yet, the owner of the house has something to think about, even if all these numbers indicate the obvious. "Dry" systems operate only on electricity, and it would be logical to provide an additional source of heat.

Which equipment is better to choose

It is impossible to use a solid fuel boiler if there is no smoke exhaust system and space for energy storage. It does not make sense to install an electric unit with regular interruptions in the household network.

Solid fuel systems with manual loading cannot function in a supportive rhythm. When the energy carrier burns out, the boiler is deactivated, which leads to cooling of the liquid circulating through the heating main.

To compensate for the shortcomings of one device with the advantages of the second, you can make a combined system consisting of both types of devices. However, the installation must be properly configured.

Installation and operation rules

Before connecting, check the draft in the chimney

The combined heating system is installed by specialists from the gas management service or a special organization according to a pre-approved plan.

Stages of work:

1. Installation of supports that will provide the required level for the heating unit. As a rule, they are present in the kit of the latter.
2. Connecting the boiler to the gas supply.
3. Electrical connection.
4. Installation of special filters for water and gas.
5. Leak testing and cleaning of the heating system.
6. Connecting the boiler to the pipeline.
7. Establishment of the chimney.
8. Test run of the heating system, troubleshooting.
9. Final adjustment of the heating system.

The installation of a gas-electric boiler is allowed in a room where, in accordance with the rules and regulations, supply and exhaust ventilation is equipped.

Basic rules of operation:

• During the operation of the combined unit, acceptable traction is required. In this regard, the chimney must have a sufficient cross section.
• The chimney used must always be insulated to prevent fire from the parts that come into contact with it.
• During regular operation of the boiler, the ash pan should be cleaned periodically. The frequency of such procedures depends on the degree of gas combustion and the intensity of the unit.
• There should be a steel sheet in front of the combustion chamber, which will provide protection from sparks to the flooring.

Electric gas heating boilers are considered the most technologically advanced and advanced.

Equipment energy efficiency

What promises more efficient work at minimal cost: gas heating or electric? In order to preliminarily estimate how much will be spent on heating with these and other devices, it is necessary to make a calculation.

Gas equipment

This calculation of energy costs can be done in two ways:

• taking into account the maximum gas consumption, this parameter is indicated in the boiler passport;
• using indicators of specific heat of combustion.

The first option can be called a rough calculation, the second is exact, and therefore more suitable.

Fuel consumption calculation

For calculations, you can take one of the more popular models of boilers. Anyone who has already looked after the model will be able to substitute specific data - its parameters. Here we consider a gas model with a power of 14 kW and a fuel consumption of 1.6 m3/h.

To get the daily flow, you need to carry out a simple operation: multiply 1.6 m3 / h by the number of hours in a day. 1.6 m3/h x 24 = 38.4 m3. The result is then multiplied by the gas tariff. In our case, the Moscow region is taken: 4.90 rubles / m3. The result is: 38.4 x 4.90 = 188.16 rubles per day.

Calculation based on the specific heat of combustion of gas

The specific heat of combustion of gas is 9.3-10 kW/m3. In this case, 0.1-0.108 m3 of gas will be required for each kilowatt of boiler heat output. To heat an average brick house (ceilings - 2.7 m, masonry of 2 bricks), located in the Moscow region, you need to provide 1 kW of thermal power of gas equipment for a certain area - per 10 m2. These are the average heat losses of a given building.

If the described house has an area of ​​140 m2, then the heat loss will be 14 kW / h, and per day - 336 kW (14 x 24).To calculate the amount of gas used, you must multiply:

• 0.1 - the volume of gas that is needed to produce 1 kW of thermal energy;
• 336 - daily heat loss (kW);
• 1.1 - at 90% efficiency.

The result - 36.96 m3 - remains to be multiplied by the tariff for the Moscow region: 36.96 x 4.90 = 181.1 rubles per day. The rate of 1 kW/10 m2 is calculated for the entire heating season. It takes into account both the coldest days and warmer days, so the cost per season will be 181.1 rubles per day.

Electrical units

The coefficient of modern models of electric boilers is greater than that of gas units: it is 99 or 100% versus 70-95%. Therefore, at maximum load, the same boiler that was considered when calculating the energy efficiency of gas equipment will consume 14.14 kW. Since the difference is not too significant, in this case it is permissible to consider the power equal to the consumption of the electrical device.

To make the comparison almost “reference”, it makes sense to take as an example the same average brick house with an area of ​​140 m2. It is clear that heat losses will be similar - 14 kW / h, and per day - 336 kW. To make up for them, the boiler will have to spend: 336 kW x 4.01 kW / h = 1347.36 rubles / day.

However, in this case, it must be taken into account that this is the maximum flow rate that can occur with heat losses of 14 kW. In reality, electric boilers operate 40 to 70% of the time, so costs are significantly reduced. If you round hundredths and tenths, you get from 538.8 to 942.9 rubles. However, the amounts are not reduced as much as the owners of the equipment would like.

Important parameters for choosing a heat source

What is the best heating? The answer to this question will depend on what you choose as your 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 kept to a minimum.
3. Heating should be easy and safe to maintain.

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

• remoteness of the gas pipeline,
• the presence of the power supply network of the required capacity,
• dimensions of the heated room,
• heat loss through windows and walls.

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

Description and principle of operation of heating electric boilers

Gas boilers are popular because of the cheapness of fuel, but it is not always possible to connect them because of the complexity of the procedure, the need to coordinate with government agencies. Energy sources for solid fuel units are even cheaper, but there are much more disadvantages - they pollute, require the removal of combustion products, fuel loading, and storage space.

The listed disadvantages are absent for electric boilers, which are sometimes the only option for heating if it is not possible to supply gas. Moreover, electrical devices are considered not only as additional or emergency sources, but also as the main devices for preparing the coolant. With them, you do not have to worry about ignition and other inconvenient moments associated with fuel combustion.

The most economical electric boiler should be chosen from energy-saving induction and electrode models. But it must be taken into account that in any case, his work will cost more than gas units by about 2.5 times, at best 1.5 times. Savings here is considered for situations where there are no other alternatives to electricity or if this type of energy is cheap (there are alternative sources - solar collectors, etc.).

The starting point

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

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

• Will there be power outages?
• the maximum value of the power of electricity;
• average value of gas pressure and its purity.

1. What kind of house is yours: type of building, its footage, wall material and the presence of insulation,% of heat loss, which rooms will be heated.
2. What is required from the boiler? Situations are different: heating with the help of some radiators, or using a warm floor; whether there is a need for hot water based on the number of residents plus their average monthly water consumption.

Only after that, experts will be able to decide what is right 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 source has become a priority for you

Comparison of gas and electricity costs. What is the price difference?

Let's try to make a simple calculation and see how much more expensive it is to heat a house with electricity compared to gas.

We will proceed from the fact that it is necessary to heat a private house five months a year.We take into account that there will be not only cold days, but also warm ones, so we divide the energy consumption by 2.

In total, it will take approximately 27,000 kW of energy to heat a house during the year.

Tariff prices of suppliers this year in the Moscow region are:

• 4.0 rub. for 1 cubic meter of gas;
• RUB 3.80 for 1 kilowatt of electricity.

It is easy to calculate that the cost of heating a house with electricity will amount to 102,600 rubles for the heating season.

Double-circuit gas boilers

Such boilers constructively separate the DHW and coolant heating circuits, while sanitary water from the DHW circuit does not mix with technical water in the heating circuit. In our climate, they have two main modes of operation:

• simultaneous maintenance of the temperature in the hot water circuit and space heating in winter (or, if necessary, in cold summer);
• summer supply of hot water for household needs when heating is turned off (summer mode).

The operation modes can be controlled manually (for budget models) and automatically, according to the situation outside the home (for advanced boilers). Double-circuit equipment is divided into two types: with a common or two separate heat exchangers.

Difference between boilers with one bithermic heat exchanger and two separate monothermal.

Which is better, more profitable: gas heating or electric?

This question can be answered quite simply. It is enough to compare the features of both types of heating:

• electricity - cheap installation, but expensive operation;
• gas - often a very expensive connection to the highway, but cheap operation.

If the main requirements of the owners are convenience and safety, then electric heating will be the best choice.When savings are at the forefront, gas boilers are the preferred option, especially when considering this fuel in the long term.

Even taking into account the costs associated with the preparations and the prices of gas equipment, this heating certainly remains a favorite. This fact is confirmed not only by rough or exact calculations, but also in practice. Yes, some claims can be made to gas boilers regarding the danger of fuel, the complexity and high cost of laying the pipeline and installation, or relative inconvenience. However, a more economical option simply does not exist.

But electrical equipment cannot be called an outsider either. Its use in some cases is justified. For example, such boilers are profitable acquisitions for heating systems of small buildings, whose area is from 40-60 to 100 m2. It also makes no sense to equip houses intended for temporary residence with gas boilers. In this case, it will take a very long time to wait until the equipment pays off.

Which system to choose: gas heating or electric? If the house has a large area, and the owners have the opportunity and desire to connect to the highway, then it is better to opt for a gas boiler. When there is no such chance due to the lack of a gas pipeline nearby, other alternatives are considered. For example, the “golden mean” between gas and electricity is LPG cylinders or gas holders.

If the cottage is small, or it is intended only for seasonal living, and there are no serious problems with the mains voltage, then the choice is obvious: it is an electrical appliance.Another option to consider is the use of such a boiler as additional, backup equipment in the "gas kingdom".

At the end of the topic - a video related to heating systems:

Electric heating boilers

When choosing an electric boiler, the following criteria must be taken into account: the number of circuits, the 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, which is characterized by power, 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 instances 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 block, 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.

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

As cons, you can not keep silent about:

• High energy bills.
• Socket dependencies.
• The need for electrical wiring.

If we talk about gas analogues, then they also have their own characteristics. So, the advantages of gas-fired 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 operate. The equipment is designed for long-term operation.

Not without cons:

• Complex installation, which is accompanied by many nuances. You will have to touch upon the technical side of the issue and the bureaucratic one, having issued the appropriate documentation, permits, and approvals.
• The need to equip a chimney that removes waste substances.
• The need for good ventilation, a separate exit to the street.
• Lack of benefits of installing such boilers in a room up to 100 m2.

Let's sum up what has been said.Our calculations have finally decided: the efficiency of an electric boiler is beyond doubt, although a gas analogue with a condensation mechanism competes with it in terms of energy efficiency.

Do not forget about the increased efficiency of the electric boiler - it is 25% more than the coefficient 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 house is four times cheaper than a gas boiler

Types of boiler ignition methods and which method is the most optimal?

There are three ignition options:

• electronic. The burner is ignited at the touch of a button using a special unit. This option is present on all models of volatile boilers;
• piezoelectric. The principle of operation of such a system is similar to all piezo devices - for a spark to appear, you need to press on a special crystal. Used on non-volatile boilers. Many users find this type of ignition inconvenient;
• manual. The flame is ignited with an ordinary lit match (torch). For ignition, it is necessary to have some supply of such elongated wooden sticks.

Most users unanimously prefer the electronic type of ignition, but it is not possible on non-volatile units. You have to get used to using a piezoelectric element or setting fire to the burner with a burning torch.

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 already purchased with gas heating connected, then of course it is not worth changing it.

If you are not ready to invest almost a million rubles in a house in order to have gas in it, and the speed of heating rooms is also important for 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 are free from this drawback, especially if you use the "boiler - air" system. The whole "chip" of rapid 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 generate more heat than they spend energy.

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

However, given 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 too far away, or when the house is used only for short-term recreation), electric heating seems to be a more preferable solution.

Buy gas, electric boiler

Electric heating boilers

Electric heating boiler

Electric heating boilers differ in the type of installation and can be installed in a wall or floor version.

Interesting! Exceptionally heating boilers, whose power does not exceed 60 kW, can be mounted on the wall, and more powerful ones - only on the floor.

Electric boilers are connected to a standard one- or three-phase power supply, and water from a conventional water supply system, specialized oils or antifreeze can be used as a filler for the heating system.

Important! Only appliances with a power of less than 12 kW can be connected to a single-phase network. Electric heating boilers differ in the method of heating the coolant

Main types:

Electric heating boilers differ in the method of heating the coolant. Main types:

• indirect heating. In these devices, heating occurs through the use of a heating element located in a heat exchange tank.
• direct heating. The coolant is heated by the heat generated by a pair of electrodes lowered into the water.
• Induction energy saving.

Boilers TEN

In these devices, the heat carrier is heated by converting electrical energy into heat by means of a tubular heater located in the heat exchanger. TENovye coppers work with any heat carrier and it is not dependent on their initial temperature. The required pressure level is created thanks to the circulation pump.

Interesting! Significantly reduce heating costs by installing special temperature sensors on radiators.

Boilers using heating elements can be either single-circuit or double-circuit and used to supply hot water.

The main disadvantages of such boilers are:

• TENA burnout, which implies its replacement.
• Scale formation on the heating element. This is due to the use of low quality hard water and leads to loss of power and breakdown of the heating element.

Important! You can significantly extend the life of the boiler using special water softeners.

Electrode type boiler

The principle of operation of such boilers is that an electric current passes through the coolant directly, which causes heating. Electrode boilers are characterized by efficiency and reliability. Compared to TEN, real energy savings are up to 40%. A definite plus is the absence of the possibility of scale formation, since there is no such fuel element, only a cathode and an anode through which an electric current is passed.

The device of this type of boiler does not require the installation of a circulation pump and a large heat exchanger tank, which makes the device quite compact.

The coolant heats up in a very short period of time, and the efficiency reaches up to 95%. Electrode-type boilers are very reliable, durable, energy-saving and economical, but there are some disadvantages:

• Inability to connect to the mains through the RCD.
• The need to use only special antifreeze liquids supplied by the boiler manufacturer as a heat carrier.

Resistive energy-saving electric boilers

The least known representative of electric heating boilers, similar in principle to the electrode. The direct heating element is a metal tube coated with a layer of tungsten, which heats the water. This method is called electromagnetic induction.

Despite the low popularity, boilers of this type have a number of advantages,

• Ordinary tap water can be used as a heat carrier.
• High power, due to the absence of a thermal barrier.
• Economy and high level of energy saving.

Compare networks

Electricity

Indisputable advantages of electric boilers:

• no need to constantly be in the house during the operation of the boiler and clean it;
• no additional communications and storage are needed;
• automatic shutdown in case of a short circuit in the network or high temperature conditions.

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

Ease of use

The operation of modern boilers, regardless of the type of fuel, is not difficult

Ease of maintenance and use is an important characteristic. For convenience, the consumer pays extra.

electric boiler

The device is equipped with a control module and multi-stage safety automatics. The setup is extremely simple and is done by the user himself. If the device is equipped with a programmer, you can also set the operating mode - for example, power reduction at night, turn-on and turn-off times, etc.

gas holder

The operation of the gas tank itself is also not difficult. The tank is in automatic mode. The owner periodically checks the fuel level on the sensor and, if necessary, buys a gas mixture. The download is performed by the supplier.

The cost of heating equipment

An approximate estimate from the Siberian Comfort Systems company for a house with an area of ​​100 meters2:

Electric boiler and water heater
Aluminum radiator (64 sections for 340 rubles)	21 760
Accessories for radiators	5 600
Materials for heating installation	11 000
Electric boiler 9 kW	9 110
Circulation pump	3 000
Water heater 80 l	7 500
Total by materials:	57 970
Heating system installation	28 000

Double-circuit gas boiler
Aluminum radiator (64 sections for 340 rubles)	21 760
Accessories for radiators	5 600
Materials for installation of heating, boiler room	10 000
Gas double-circuit boiler 11 kW + chimney	28 100
Total by materials:	65 460
Installation of heating system, boiler room	30 000

The average cost of equipment for an electric boiler and for 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.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Works on conducting gas to the house and their cost on the example of a house in the Perm Territory:

On tariffs for the use of electricity for heating a house located in the city. Legal and technological nuances:

The use of gas and electricity for 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 make calculations for a specific object and draw up a schedule of financial costs.

Do you want 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 photos.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The cost of gas and electric heating in the Kaliningrad region. Subsidizing connection for certain categories of citizens:

Prices and terms for connecting gas to a country house:

To justify the choice of energy source, if it is possible to connect heating from both gas and electricity, it is necessary to calculate one-time and annual investments.

To do this, you will have to contact the energy supply companies. Based on the data obtained, it will already be possible to build a cost schedule and objectively assess your financial capabilities.

And what version of the boiler did you purchase for arranging your house / apartment? Share your own arguments that have become decisive in the choice. Please leave comments in the block under the test of the article, post photos and ask questions on the topic of the article.