Glossary · Heat pumps, grants and regulations
What is electric heating?
Electric heating is any system that uses electricity as the main energy source to heat a home. Energy Saving Trust says that usually means electric storage heaters, electric boilers or electric underfloor heating. Heat pumps use electricity too, but they are not normally counted because they move heat rather than make it.
Key points
- Energy Saving Trust says electric heating usually means storage heaters, electric boilers or electric underfloor heating, and that heat pumps are not normally counted.
- Electricity is around four times more expensive than gas per unit, according to Energy Saving Trust, so running costs can be high.
- Typical installation costs per room: £900 to £1,400 for storage heaters and £300 to £500 for panel heaters, per Energy Saving Trust.
- Energy Saving Trust says a registered electrician should replace storage heaters, and that you should only need safety checks every five years.
- GOV.UK says all electrical work in a dwelling must follow Part P of the Building Regulations.
How electric heating works
Energy Saving Trust defines electric heating as any system that uses electricity as the main energy source to heat your home. For most people it means one of three things: electric storage heaters, electric boilers or electric underfloor heating.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating Its heating systems hub also lists electric radiators and electric panel heaters.[3]Energy Saving Trust, Heating systems
Heat pumps are left out. They use electricity, but Energy Saving Trust says they are not normally thought of as electric heating because they do not use electricity to provide heat directly.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating Our page on air source heat pumps covers them.
The types
| Type | How it heats | Notes from Energy Saving Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Storage heater | Charges up when electricity is cheaper and releases heat gradually through the next day | Usually paired with a tariff such as Economy 7 |
| Panel heater | Heats the room directly when switched on | £300 to £500 per room typical installation cost |
| Electric boiler | Heats water for radiators or underfloor pipes | The one type that needs a wet central heating system |
| Underfloor heating | Heats the floor | See wet vs electric underfloor heating |
A storage heater stores heat in its core, often made from heavy clay blocks, and releases it when switched on.[2]Energy Saving Trust, Electric storage heaters Energy Saving Trust says modern storage heaters usually have automatic charge control, a thermostat and a programmer, while older ones have input and output dials.[2]Energy Saving Trust, Electric storage heaters It says storage heaters made after 2018 must meet stricter efficiency standards.[2]Energy Saving Trust, Electric storage heaters Read more at electric boiler and wet vs electric underfloor heating.
Costs and running costs
Energy Saving Trust gives these typical installation costs per room: £900 to £1,400 for storage heaters and £300 to £500 for panel heaters.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating It lists a low initial cost and very little maintenance as benefits, and says you should only need safety checks every five years.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating
Running costs are the catch. Electricity is around four times more expensive than gas per unit, so electric heating can be expensive, especially in a home that is not well insulated.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating Storage heaters take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates, which makes them less expensive to run than direct heaters such as panel heaters.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating On standard tariffs, Energy Saving Trust says heat pumps can cost slightly more to run than new gas or oil boilers, and less with a time-of-use tariff.[6]Energy Saving Trust, Air source heat pumps
Fitting and the rules
GOV.UK says all electrical work in a dwelling must be carried out in line with Part P of the Building Regulations. The work can be certified by an installer who is a member of a competent person self-certification scheme, or checked by a local authority or approved inspector.[4]GOV.UK, Third party certification schemes for domestic electrical work GOV.UK also lists replacing fuse boxes and connected electrics among work that might need building regulations approval, though you do not need to apply yourself if you use a competent person scheme member.[5]GOV.UK, Building regulations approval
For storage heaters, Energy Saving Trust says a registered electrician should replace them. They are hard-wired to the correct circuit, and some larger models weigh more than 150kg. Heaters installed before 1974 may contain asbestos, so contact a specialist asbestos contractor.[2]Energy Saving Trust, Electric storage heaters It recommends an installer registered with a trade association such as TrustMark or the Electrical Contractors’ Association, and quotes from at least three installers.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating It also says to tell your installer your current meter and tariff.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating
Example
Parminder in Leeds has a small, well-insulated flat with two main rooms and no gas boiler. She asks about storage heaters. At Energy Saving Trust’s typical £900 to £1,400 per room, two rooms would cost £1,800 to £2,800 to install.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating She asks for three quotes from registered installers and tells each one her tariff.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating A registered electrician fits the heaters. She keeps the old ones switched off for 24 hours or more before removal, which Energy Saving Trust says an installer may ask for.[2]Energy Saving Trust, Electric storage heaters
What people get wrong
Electric heating is not a cheap way to heat a big, draughty house. It costs little to install and can be dear to run, so it suits small, well-insulated homes best.
Energy Saving Trust says that if you live in a very well insulated or small property, the higher running costs might not matter as much.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating The other mistake is forgetting the meter. Energy Saving Trust says some homes with electric heating have a Radio Teleswitch Service meter that is being phased out, and you should contact your energy supplier to arrange a replacement.[1]Energy Saving Trust, Electric heating
The bottom line
Electric heating means storage heaters, panel heaters, electric boilers or electric underfloor heating. It costs little to fit and can cost a lot to run, because electricity is around four times dearer than gas per unit. Use a registered electrician, follow Part P and tell your installer your tariff. Compare it with a heat pump before you decide, because heat pumps also run on electricity but work differently.
Common questions
What are the main types of electric heating?
Energy Saving Trust says electric storage heaters, electric boilers and electric underfloor heating. Its heating hub also lists electric radiators and panel heaters. Heat pumps use electricity but are not normally thought of as electric heating.
Is electric heating cheaper than gas?
Not per unit. Energy Saving Trust says electricity is around four times more expensive than gas, which more than offsets electric heating's higher efficiency. It can suit a small flat because installation costs less than a boiler.
Do I need a registered electrician to fit electric heaters?
Energy Saving Trust says a registered electrician should replace storage heaters, because they are hard-wired to the correct circuit. GOV.UK says all electrical work in a dwelling must follow Part P of the Building Regulations.
How much does electric heating cost to install?
Energy Saving Trust gives typical costs per room: £900 to £1,400 for electric storage heaters and £300 to £500 for electric panel heaters. Costs depend on the system you choose.
Sources
We cite the original source for every figure: government, regulators, standards bodies and manufacturers' own documents. Each one shows the date we last checked it.
- Energy Saving Trust. Electric heating. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Energy Saving Trust. Electric storage heaters. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Energy Saving Trust. Heating systems. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- GOV.UK. Third party certification schemes for domestic electrical work. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- GOV.UK. Building regulations approval. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Energy Saving Trust. Air source heat pumps. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩