If you already have an electric boiler, it should be straightforward to get this replaced.
If you heat with a gas or oil system and want to upgrade to an electric heating system, this will take some time to complete.
Don’t panic about hot water, it’s likely that your chosen installer can install what you need to sort it out fairly quickly.
Please read below for more information.
Getting a new boiler
Already got an electric heating system?
If your electric boiler needs replacing, get in touch with your preferred installer as soon as possible.
You will not need to apply to Guernsey Electricity for additional load as the system is already in place and there are many local installers able to replace an electric boiler for you.
Find someone to replace your electric boiler >
Using a gas or oil boiler?
Due to the current demand for electric heating, there is a waiting list for applications and the process to fully convert to electric heating can take several months.
If you would like to upgrade your gas or oil heating system to an electric heating system, your installer will need to apply to Guernsey Electricity for ‘additional load.’
Load means any component of a circuit that consumes power or energy – light bulbs, appliances, or electric heating. For perspective, a lightbulb or toaster need far less electrical load to work than an all-electric heating system.
Additional load applications assess if the current electricity network in your area and the electricity supply line cable to your property have enough capacity to power your electric boiler. This involves various assessments of the underground high and low voltage cable network by experienced engineers and takes time to fully complete.
Please discuss your individual situation with an installer and be aware that you may need to remain with your current heating type.
Hot water
If you have an immersion heating element installed in your hot water cylinder, you should still be able to get hot water.
To check this, have a look at your hot water cylinder. If you can see one or two caps on the side of the cylinder with cables connecting it to an electrical face plate with a switch, you should be able to heat the water by turning the switch to ‘On’. This will then power the installed heating elements.
If you can’t see any caps with cables, it’s best to call an installer and get some advice on the best way to get your hot water working.
Service upgrades
It’s really important to plan ahead and check if your property needs a service upgrade.
Electricity is delivered to your door through an underground network of cables. Some properties don’t have enough capacity in the existing service cable to supply a new heating system. They will therefore need a service upgrade.
Your installer can check with Guernsey Electricity by submitting an additional load application if your property needs a cable upgrade
How much will it cost to run heating in Guernsey?
These prices are to be used as a guide only. Heating running cost calculation based on 8100 units a year (As of December 2021):
LPG (Gas): £1,619
Oil: £544
Electric Storage Heaters: £663
Electric boiler: £741
Electric Air Source Heat Pump: £337
How long will it take to install?
If you’re thinking about making the switch to electric heating, it’s best to get in touch with your preferred installer for a quotation as early as possible. As with a house extension or roof replacement, it takes time but is worthwhile.
This is because your property may need a service upgrade. This is when the mains cable serving your property gets upgraded to give you access to the power needed to support your modern heating system.
Installation time depends on the type of system you need – for example, a whole house system versus installing a panel radiator in a room.
An average installation takes around 8-12 weeks including installer lead time. Bearing in mind the installation may take longer if a service upgrade is required.
Spring and summer are the best times to have your new heating system installed as you won’t need your heating on.
Is there a special tariff for electric heating customers?
Yes.
The Superheat tariff is available 24-hours a day for electric panel heaters, electric boilers and underfloor heating. Hot water cylinders and towel rails may also be connected to Superheat if the primary heat source in the property is electric and also connected to Superheat.
You will need a separate meter installed to benefit from the Superheat tariff. Your installer should apply for this by submitting an Additional Load Form application to Guernsey Electricity. Installers should automatically do this for you, however it’s worth making sure this gets done to achieve the best running costs.
If you use electric storage heaters, please be aware these do not use the Superheat tariff as they heat up during off-peak Economy 12 tariff times.
You can heat your hot water cylinder using the Superheat tariff, however the most cost-effective way to heat water cylinders is by connecting them to your Economy 12 electricity supply via a timer. This means you’ll only need to heat water during the property’s low-rate Economy 12 tariff times, which are the cheapest times to use electricity.
If you’re using an Economy 12 supply for lighting, powering and heating your home, with the exception of storage heaters, it is worth considering asking your electrician to quote to move the heating from Economy 12 to Superheat metering, as this is a low-rate available 24/7 exclusively for electric heating. This may involve adjustments to your existing electrical circuits as the heating circuits may need to be separated to benefit from the Superheat tariff. An Additional Load Form application will need to be submitted to Guernsey Electricity.
How much will it cost to install electric heating?
It’s always best to get two quotes for a big investment in your property.
Replacing your gas or oil boiler with electric connected to your existing radiators or wet underfloor heating system is likely to cost roughly £5000.
However, this is just a guide price and your heating installer will give you an exact price according to the size of your property, components required, and amount of labour.
Thinking about switching to electric heating?
It pays to plan ahead. Electrical installations are an investment and can take time to complete. Contact your preferred installer as early as possible to find out what you need to do.