Are Electric Combi Boilers Any Good?
Yes, electric combi boilers can be a good choice for some homes, particularly smaller properties and homes with no connection to mains gas. Like a gas combi boiler, they provide heating and hot water from one appliance, but they don’t need a combustion flue and can offer a more compact setup.
But they won’t suit every property. Heating demand, hot water use and ongoing energy costs all matter. So, are electric combi boilers any good for your home? It depends on how those factors compare with alternatives such as a gas combi boiler or an air source heat pump, and whether any of the alternatives would suit your home setup. Read on for a thorough breakdown of the options from the experts here at Intergas.
What Is an Electric Combi Boiler?
An electric combi boiler provides both central heating and domestic hot water from a single unit, but using electricity rather than burning gas. The word “combi” refers to those two jobs being combined, not to a combination of gas and electricity.
A combi setup typically provides hot water on demand rather than relying on a separate conventional hot water cylinder. This can save space, although the boiler still needs to meet your property’s heating and hot water demands.
Are Electric Combi Boilers Any Good?
Electric combi boilers have some clear strengths. For a start, they do not need a connection to the gas mains, and because there is no combustion in the unit, there’s no need for a combustion flue. That can make them worth considering where your space is limited, or if a gas connection is unavailable.
For many homeowners, the main consideration will be running costs. Electric boilers are highly efficient and can convert almost all the electricity they use into heat at the appliance, but high efficiency does not automatically mean lower bills. The price of electricity matters too, as we’ll explore further shortly.
They can also be less suitable where heating demand is high or a household regularly needs large amounts of hot water. So, are electric combi boilers any good? The answer depends on your home and how you use heating and hot water, rather than the technology being universally good or bad.
Electric or Gas Boiler, Which Is Better?
Choosing an electric or gas boiler means looking beyond one efficiency metric. Running costs, installation, available space and the amount of heating and hot water your household needs will all need to be considered when you make your decision.
For homes connected to mains gas, modern combi boilers remain a practical option. Electric combis can make sense in other situations, particularly where a gas connection or flue is impractical. Let’s now dig deeper into some of these important considerations.
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Running Costs
So, the big question: are electric boilers expensive to run? Compared with gas boilers, they can be, because electricity currently costs considerably more per unit.
At the time of writing, Ofgem’s energy price cap gives average Direct Debit unit rates for standard variable tariffs of 26.11p per kWh for electricity and 7.33p per kWh for gas for 1 July to 30 September 2026. These are averages across England, Scotland and Wales and actual prices vary by region, tariff, payment method and meter type.
Ofgem reviews the cap every three months, and from 1 October to 31 December 2026 the unit rates will climb to 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas. These rates can rise or fall over time. Your own rate may also differ if you are on a fixed tariff.
Your actual heating bill will still depend on how much energy your home needs, your tariff and your system’s overall efficiency.
Efficiency
Electric boilers are highly efficient at the point of use because there are no combustion losses through a flue. Gas boilers burn fuel, so some energy is lost, although modern condensing boilers are designed to recover more heat than older appliances.
But appliance efficiency and running cost are different things. When electricity costs substantially more per unit than gas, a higher efficiency figure does not necessarily translate into cheaper heating.
That is why any comparison should consider energy prices, expected heat demand and how the system will be used.
Installation and Space
An electric combi boiler does not need a gas supply or combustion flue, which can make installation more flexible in some properties. It still needs an electrical supply capable of supporting the required output, and this should be professionally assessed before choosing your system.
A gas combi boiler needs a suitable gas connection, flue and condensate arrangement. Modern condensing boilers produce liquid condensate as they recover heat from their flue gases, so it needs to be safely carried away through a condensate pipe. Any gas boiler must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Heating and Hot Water Demand
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that bedroom count alone tells you which boiler is most suitable for the size of your home. A home with several bathrooms, lots of radiators or frequent simultaneous hot water use can place much greater demand on a combi system.
This matters with electric boilers because the available electrical supply and boiler output can limit how much heat can be delivered. A heat-loss calculation and assessment of your actual hot water demand provide a much better guide. Our article on what size combi boiler do I need clearly explains the main considerations in more detail.
What Are the Advantages of Electric Combi Boilers?
For the right property, electric combi boilers can offer several practical advantages, particularly where space is limited or mains gas is not available. Let’s summarise just some of the main benefits:
- No On-Site Combustion: Electricity heats the water without fuel being burned inside the boiler.
- No Combustion Flue: This can give more flexibility over where the appliance is installed.
- No Mains Gas Required: Useful for homes that are not connected to the gas network.
- Compact Setup: Both heating and hot water are handled within one appliance, so there is no separate hot water cylinder.
- High Appliance Efficiency: Very little energy is lost where electricity is converted into heat.
These benefits still need to be balanced against running costs and your home’s actual heating demand.
What Are the Disadvantages of Electric Combi Boilers?
Electric combi boilers also come with a few drawbacks, and these become more important in homes with higher heating or hot water demand. The main points to consider include:
- Higher Running Costs: Electricity currently costs around three and a half times as much per kWh as gas under the Ofgem price cap, so an electric boiler can be comparatively expensive.
- Electrical Supply Requirements: Higher-output electric boilers can place significant demand on a property’s electrical supply, so an upgrade may be needed in some homes.
- Heating Demand: Properties with a higher heat requirement may need more output than some electric combi boilers can comfortably provide.
- Hot Water Demand: Households that regularly use several hot water outlets at the same time may find a combi setup less suitable.
These drawbacks do not make electric heating inherently unsuitable. They simply mean the system needs to be properly matched to the property and household.
Is an Electric Combi Boiler Right for Your Home?
Ultimately, an electric combi boiler can be a practical option in the right setting, but there are several things worth reiterating before you decide. Rather than looking at the boiler in isolation, think about how well it fits your property, your heating and hot water use and the way you want to run your system. Consider:
- Whether your home has a mains gas connection
- Your calculated heat demand
- How much hot water your household uses, including simultaneous use
- Your available space
- Whether your electrical supply can support the required boiler
- The likely ongoing energy costs on your tariff
If, after these considerations, a compact electric system would suit your home, an electric combi may be worth considering. Otherwise, a gas combi, heat pump or other setup may be more appropriate.
If a gas boiler looks like the better fit for your home, our find the right boiler tool can help you narrow down the options.
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What Other Heating Options Should You Consider?
Remember, an electric combi boiler is not the only option when it comes to replacing your heating system. If your home has mains gas, a modern gas combi can provide heating and hot water from one compact appliance and may offer lower running costs than an electric solution under current energy prices.
For homes without mains gas, or homeowners looking for an all-electric heating system, an air source heat pump is also worth considering. Rather than converting electricity directly into heat, it uses electricity to transfer heat from the outside air into the home. Suitability depends on your property, calculated heat loss and overall system design. Here at Intergas, we offer the Xceed monobloc air source heat pump.
Hybrid systems provide another route by combining a heat pump with a gas boiler. You can compare boilers here on our site to explore your options.
Explore Intergas Combi Boilers
If a gas combi is the right fit for your home, Intergas offers a range designed around efficient, straightforward heating and hot water. It’s an area we know well, with decades of experience developing domestic heating technology.
Every Intergas boiler uses our bithermic heat exchanger, a technology first developed by us in 1996. The Intergas Xtreme also includes passive flue gas heat recovery, which recovers additional heat from waste gases to preheat water before it reaches the required temperature.
In closing, the right heating system should suit your property rather than winning on one specification alone. We can help you explore which Intergas combi best matches your heating and hot water requirements, and if you need any further guidance, please get in touch with us online or call 01527 888000 to speak to an Intergas expert.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electric Combi Boilers Need a Flue?
No. Electric combi boilers do not burn fuel inside the appliance, so they do not produce combustion gases that need to be carried outside through a flue.
Can an Electric Combi Boiler Heat a Large House?
Potentially, but suitability depends on your home’s calculated heat demand, boiler output, electrical supply and hot water requirements. A larger property with high demand may need a different setup, so bedroom count alone is not enough.
Do Electric Boilers Need Servicing?
Maintenance differs from a gas boiler, but electric boilers should not simply be left unchecked. Requirements vary by manufacturer and model, so always follow the manufacturer’s servicing guidance and warranty conditions.
Is an Electric Boiler Cheaper Than a Gas Boiler?
One of the most commonly asked questions is, ‘Are electric boilers expensive to run?’ Ultimately, it depends on which cost you mean. Purchase and installation prices vary by property, appliance and the work required.
For ongoing energy use, electricity currently costs more per kWh than gas under the Ofgem price cap. An electric boiler can therefore cost more to run despite its high appliance efficiency. Energy prices change, so compare current tariffs alongside the expected energy demand of your home.
