It is a common misconception that electric heating is expensive to run. Although electricity is more costly to purchase than other forms of fuel, when overall running costs are analyzed, electric heating is a viable alternative. This is due to a number of factors:

By-products of combustion
Fossil fuel heaters produce unwanted gasses and use up oxygen as a result of combustion. Building occupants often complain of eye, nose or throat irritation where bottled gas heaters are being used. Increasing ventilation rates to combat these symptoms increases the heat input required to maintain a given temperature.

Water vapour is another by-product of combustion, a LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) heater produces 1Kg of water vapour for every 1Kg of fuel burnt. Where this is a problem dehumidification will be necessary, again increasing overall running costs.

Electric heaters produce no fumes or water vapour eliminating the need for additional ventilation or dehumidification.

Electric heating reduces pollution. Electricity is generated centrally by power stations designed to keep pollution to an absolute minimum. Burning fossil fuels in relatively small and inefficient heaters, inevitably creates more environmentally damaging by-products.

Electricity pricing Tariffs
In many applications heat is required principally at night. The availability of cheap night time electricity is obviously extremely beneficial in such cases.

Larger electricity users may benefit from discounted special rates based on average annual consumption.

From the above it is obvious when selecting a new or replacement heating system that electric heating should be given serious consideration. This is especially true for heating systems in small to medium sized buildings or where frost or supplementary heating is needed in larger buildings.