Best electric boiler brands

Every year, we ask thousands of boiler owners how satisfied they are with their boiler and whether it has suffered any faults or breakdowns. 

From their responses, we work out which brands have the happiest owners and the lowest fault rates.

Similar in size and with comparable installation costs to a gas boiler, an electric boiler may appeal to those looking to reduce their carbon footprint sooner rather than later. 

However, electric boilers have higher running costs than gas boilers and aren't nearly as efficient as electric heat pumps, so they're not for everyone.

Read on to learn more about installation and running costs, how they stack up against alternatives, and whether it makes sense to switch to an electric boiler now.

For more information on choosing the right heating system, head to our guide to choosing the best heating for your home.

The best electric boiler brands

In our 2025 survey, we asked 10,064 people about their central heating system to find out how satisfied they were with their boiler and whether it had any faults or breakdowns over the past six years. We also asked 225 boiler engineers to supply their verdicts on the different brands.

While most boiler owners have a gas boiler, 1,791 people reported having an electric boiler. Our scores are based on owner satisfaction, reliability over six years and the opinion of Which? Trusted Traders.

Only Which? members can see how the two electric boiler brands in our survey compare.

Log in now to see the details in our table.

Are electric boilers any good?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it's worth taking time to weigh the pros and cons of different systems before spending your money. 

Every home is different – you should always get an expert heating engineer to carry out an assessment of your home before making any decisions. 

Here, we've summarised the key pros and cons of electric boilers: 

Pros

• No carbon emissions from the boiler itself However, remember it's only as green as the electricity that powers it.
• Electric boilers are nearly 100% energy efficient Compared with a like-for-like gas boiler, you need fewer units of energy (kWh) to produce the same amount of heat. 
• Quieter than gas boilers Mainly due to fewer moving parts. If your boiler is located in a room you spend lots of time in, an electric one may be softer on the ears.
• They can be placed almost anywhere in the home They don't need a flue or gas pipe to run to them, so they can even be placed on an internal wall.
• No risk of a carbon monoxide leak This is a risk in faulty gas boilers if the gas isn't burned completely due to a lack of oxygen, and the resulting carbon monoxide escapes into your home.

Cons

• Expensive to run Electricity costs more per unit of energy (kWh) than gas. One kilowatt-hour of electricity is currently three to four times more expensive than one kilowatt-hour of gas. 
• Less efficient than heat pumps Electric boilers can't exceed 100% efficiency, while heat pumps can produce more heat than the energy they consume, giving them efficiencies of 200%, 300% and even higher. That means a heat pump would use less energy to produce the same amount of heat and cost less to run.
• Typically shorter warranties Most are two to three years. This doesn't reflect their likelihood of breaking, but because gas boilers can have warranties that last 10 years or more, you're more likely to pay for faults that do occur.
• Not suitable for larger homes Electric boilers typically have lower maximum outputs, meaning they may struggle to meet the higher heating and hot water demands of larger homes. They'll be fine for smaller homes. We explain why later.

What is an electric boiler?

An electric boiler works in a very similar way to a traditional gas boiler, except that it heats water by passing an electric current through a heating element rather than by burning gas – essentially operating like a big kettle.

Electric boilers connect up to a central heating system to heat the water in your radiators and provide hot water to your taps and showers.

Types of electric boilers

Like gas boilers, electric boilers can be either combination (combi) system or heat-only (regular) boilers:

Combi boilers

Heat up water for your taps and radiators 'on demand'. They don't need external hot water storage cylinders, making them suitable for properties with less space.

Heat-only boilers

Provide heat directly to your radiators, and connect to a water tank for hot water.

They suit larger homes with higher hot water demand. This is because they heat and store hot water for when you need it, rather than heating it 'on demand' like a combi boiler, which may not be able to heat it fast enough to meet demand.

However, they take up more space than a combi or system boiler as they need two tanks – a hot water tank that stores the hot water ready for use (usually kept in an airing cupboard) and a cold water feed tank that's usually placed in a loft and fills up from the mains water supply.

System boilers

These are like a heat-only option, but with the external components of a heat-only boiler, such as pumps and valves, built into the body. As such, they only require a hot water tank, which saves space.  

Some manufacturers sell models with an integrated hot water cylinder, so you don't need to buy a separate one. These are designed to fit completely within a standard airing cupboard, so if you have the space, it could be an attractive 'all-in-one' solution. 

For more pros and cons, read our guide on the different types of boiler.

Electric boiler costs

As with any heating system, consider three main costs: upfront costs (for the boiler and installation), running costs and maintenance costs.

Currently, electric boilers are broadly comparable to gas boilers in terms of equipment and maintenance costs, but running costs are (for the time being) a different kettle of fish.

Electric boiler installation costs

Off-the-shelf prices of electric boilers are similar to those of gas boilers. You can typically get an electric combi boiler for between £1,500 and £2,000. Heat-only electric boilers can start as low as £400; if you don't already have them, you'll need to factor in the cost of water tanks as well. 

Professional installation costs are typically similar for gas and electric boilers, assuming a like-for-like size and type of boiler. The exact costs will depend on the complexity of the job. Moving a boiler will increase costs. 

One caveat to this assumption: gas and electric boiler installation costs are typically similar. In some cases, you may also need to upgrade your home's electrical infrastructure to support the switch from a gas to an electric boiler. Things that can affect this include:

• The phase supply of your home and whether the electric boiler is suitable for it An electric boiler needs to suit your home's electricity supply, whether that's single-phase or three-phase. Higher energy demands may require a change from single-phase to three-phase. 
• The size of your home's incoming supply fuse It limits the maximum size of electric boiler you can install. We will explain this in more detail later.
• The size of the electric boiler (in kilowatts) The larger the size of the electric boiler you need, the more likely your home will need upgrades (for example, a larger incoming supply fuse). Heat-only and system electric boilers tend to have lower power demands than combi models.

If your electrics need upgrading, it could dramatically increase the installation cost of switching from a gas to an electric boiler.

If you are considering installing an electric boiler, get your home's suitability assessed by a local expert engineer first. They can assess your home and advise on the best heating system for you.

Single-phase versus three-phase electricity supply

UK homes can be supplied with single-phase or three-phase electricity. Buildings with higher energy needs are usually on a three-phase supply.

You can see what 'phase' supply your home has by looking at the 'main switch' on your fuse box. If it looks like three switches combined into one, then it is three-phase; if it's a single switch, it's single-phase. 

The right electric boiler for your home may mean you need an upgrade, but you should get a local expert to assess your home's suitability for an electric boiler before committing to any switch or upgrades.

Electric boiler running costs

As it stands, electricity costs substantially more than gas per kWh. The energy unit price cap from 1 October 2026 is an average of 8.39p per kWh of gas and 27.8p per kWh of electricity (if you pay when you receive your bills, which is the most expensive rate).

While electric boilers are more efficient than gas boilers – so they use fewer units of energy to do the same job – they're not so efficient that they are able to offset that nearly four times price difference. This means that electric boilers are still much more expensive to run than equivalent gas boilers. 

If you have low heating demand, for example, you live in a smaller property and/or your home is well insulated (so heat doesn't escape easily), you'll need to run your heating for less time, and the costs of running an electric boiler may be manageable. 

You can lower the running costs of an electric boiler by heating hot water overnight on an off-peak tariff, but these tariffs charge more during the day. In any case, this only works if you choose a heat-only or system boiler with a hot water tank you can heat before you need the water.

If you generate your own electricity, for example with solar panels, this will reduce your costs as well. 

Electric boiler maintenance costs

Electric boilers have fewer moving parts than gas boilers. For example, a gas boiler includes a fan to move air through the boiler for gas combustion and a gas valve to regulate gas flow to the burner. An electric boiler doesn't need these.

They are therefore less likely, at least on paper, to break down than their gas equivalents. 

But that doesn't mean an electric boiler will never need repairing, and if a key component (such as the heat exchanger) fails, parts can cost upwards of £400. In addition, to help ensure they remain fault-free, manufacturers still recommend that electric boilers are serviced annually, which will be a similar price to a gas boiler service.

Factoring all this in, maintenance cost over the lifetime of an electric boiler may be comparable to those of a gas boiler, depending on servicing and repair needs.

Electric boiler warranties

Electric boiler warranties typically last only two to three years, whereas gas boiler manufacturers can offer warranties of 10 years or more. 

This is partly because, historically, most homes have had gas boilers installed, which has increased competition among manufacturers and prompted them to offer longer warranties to stand out.

If electric boilers grow in popularity among homeowners, we may see warranty lengths start to increase.  

Are you paying more than you should for your gas boiler service and repairs? Read our expert guide to boiler repair costs and how to get the best boiler service.  

What size of electric boiler do you need?

Electric boiler size is measured by its power output in kilowatts (kW). The higher the kW output, the larger the home it can heat.

Electric boilers typically have smaller kW outputs than gas or oil boilers. An average electric boiler is around 15kW or less, while gas combi boilers typically range from 20kW to 40kW or more.    

This means electric boilers are well-sized for smaller homes but may struggle to meet the heating demands of larger properties, especially if you don't have space for a heat-only or system boiler and would need a combi electric boiler. 

In addition, the overall size of your home, the number of radiators, how well insulated it is, and your hot water needs (for example, whether you run multiple hot water taps at the same time) will also affect the size of boiler you need.

It's best to have a qualified heating engineer assess your home to determine the right boiler size. 

If you need an engineer, make sure it's a Which? Trusted Trader. They have all been vetted by our trading standards professionals – not just anyone can become endorsed. Use our search tool below to find a local trader.

Why do electric boilers have lower maximum power outputs?

The maximum power output of electric boilers is limited by the typical capacity of a home's incoming supply cable and the size of the supply fuse (also known as the main electrical fuse). An incoming supply fuse prevents excessive current from damaging your home's cables or electrical devices. 

If you run too many electrical devices at once, you risk blowing the supply fuse. Day to day, this isn't an issue, as most household devices won't draw enough current to blow this fuse, even when several are in use at once. But electric boilers are 'current-hungry', and the larger the electric boiler, the more current it will use.

You don't want an electric boiler that is too large for your home's electrical capacity. The size of your home's incoming supply cable and supply fuse limits this. Installers should assess your home's electrical capacity and ensure the boiler won't overload the supply.

UK homes can have different supply fuse sizes, but let's say yours is 100 amps. This means your home's electrical equipment, including your boiler, can draw up to 100 amps in total at any given time.

A 10kW boiler, for example, will typically draw 45 amps when running, nearly half the total capacity of a 100 amp fuse. However, a 15kW electric boiler would draw around 65 amps when running, well above the 50% limit.

Working out the size of an electric boiler suitable for your home can be tricky, so we recommend getting a qualified electrician to carry out an assessment. 

Are electric boilers better for the environment?

According to the government's Heat and Buildings Strategy, about 13.4% of UK carbon emissions come from heating our homes.

When running, electric boilers don’t produce any emissions, whereas gas and oil boilers do. So, if you're looking only at home emissions, electric boilers are much better than gas boilers.

As is often the case, however, it's not quite that simple. Producing the electricity itself has a carbon footprint, and that will remain the case until the UK's electricity supply comes entirely from renewable sources.

So, your electric boiler can't be completely emission-free yet, although electricity will get greener as we move further towards renewable sources. Compared with gas, a fossil fuel with a high carbon footprint, electric boilers are better for the environment overall in the long term.

Electric boilers vs gas boilers

The clearest benefit of electric boilers over their gas (and oil) counterparts is that they don't emit carbon at home, helping you reduce your personal carbon footprint.

They also don’t need a flue, so you can install them on internal walls, giving you more options for where to locate the boiler in the house. The lack of a flue also makes it easier to install and service electric boilers in high-rise buildings – so long as the building has the suitable electrical infrastructure. 

However, it's still much cheaper to heat your home with a gas boiler. This could change in future, but it is the case now.

Electric boilers may also struggle to heat larger homes with higher hot water demand because of the limited sizes available, so they may not be a viable option for homes with multiple bathrooms or many bedrooms. 

Additionally, if you are switching from gas to an electric boiler, your home's electrical system may need an upgrade, which could dramatically increase installation costs. 

If you prefer to stick with gas for now, our guide on which gas boilers are energy efficient can help you lower your home's carbon footprint.

Alternatives to electric or gas boilers

A boiler – whether gas or electric – is just one way of heating your home. The most common alternative today is heat pumps, but we expect other solutions to hit the market over the next few years.

Electric boilers vs heat pumps

Heat pumps essentially work like a refrigerator in reverse. They take heat (from the air or ground depending on the type of heat pump) and boost it to a higher temperature using a compressor. They come in sizes that can heat larger homes, but they need space for external unit(s) and a well-insulated home to keep running costs from skyrocketing. 

Heat pumps are more energy efficient than electric boilers. This means that, when installed in a suitable home, heat pumps will cost less to run than electric boilers. While both heat pumps and electric boilers are currently more expensive to run than gas, if electricity and gas prices balance out in future, heat pumps could be the most economical option. 

However, electric boilers are currently cheaper to install than heat pumps, so an electric boiler may still work out cheaper over its lifetime than an air-source heat pump.

But you can access generous grants from the government to make installing an air source or ground source heat pump more manageable. In England, Wales and Scotland, this is up to £7,500.

Read our full guides to air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps for all the details on these systems and whether they could be a good choice for your home. 

Other low-carbon heating solutions

Low-carbon options are limited today, but as we move towards net zero, more solutions and therefore more choice could appear. Here are a few to consider:

• Storage heaters Use electricity to heat special heat-retaining bricks (usually overnight), then release the heat during the day. Modern storage heaters can now come with thermostats and timers. 
• Immersion heaters Electric water heaters that sit inside hot water cylinders. They connect to their own power supply via a cable and can be used as a primary water heater or as a backup water heater for combi boilers.
• Infrared panels These provide heat by radiation. They use less electricity to provide the same amount of heat as electric boilers and storage heaters, but to feel the benefits, there must be no obstacles between the heater and you (just like how you feel warm in the sun, but cooler in the shade).
• Microwave boilers Made by HeatWayV, these heat your water in the same way a microwave heats up the water in your food, but use a feedback system to tune the amount of power used, so there is almost no energy waste. The company is starting in-home trials this year.

See our full guide to storage heaters and immersion heaters for more information.

Who should consider an electric boiler?

The high running costs of electric boilers may put many people off switching for now, but in some circumstances an electric boiler could be the right choice. 

While you should always seek the advice of a reliable and expert local engineer when choosing the best heating system for your home, an electric boiler is more likely to be a viable option if: 

• Your home is off the gas grid, and you’re looking for a low-carbon heating system, perhaps as an alternative to an existing oil boiler
• You live in a high-rise building where an electric boiler would be easier to maintain and service than a gas boiler
• You want to make a more environmentally friendly heating choice, but your home isn't suitable for a heat pump.

Want a gas or oil boiler from a reliable brand? Read our reviews of the best gas boiler brands and best oil boiler brands.