Switching FAQs

Yes you can. 

You can replace most boilers with an electric equivalent without too much disruption. If you have a combi boiler, you may need to install a hot water cylinder too, although electric combi boilers are now available for certain applications.

Our heating surveyors can discuss your options and provide a free quote. We typically switch oil and gas customers to an electric boiler or air source heat pump, but you may wish to consider smart panel heating, storage heating or underfloor heating.

If you’re replacing an oil boiler, you can get rid of your oil storage tank too.

The general principle is the same. A fuel source heats water in a boiler and distributes it around your home via radiators or underfloor heating. 

One noticeable difference is that an electric boiler doesn't need a flue or chimney like gas and oil boilers, so no heat is wasted.

Generally you won't need to change your radiators. We can typically use your existing heating system and simply change the boiler.

We generally recommend upgrading your controls. Today's smart controls let you programme your heating from your smartphone or tablet. 

If you wish to keep your existing controls, our surveyor will assess if they can be reused.

Electric boilers and air source heat pumps need an annual inspection to validate and maintain their warranty. We recommend you get all electric heating appliances checked every year to ensure they're operating safely. Check out our CosyCare service packages.

Underfloor heating can be a water system or electric cable. Both effectively turn your floors into giant radiators.

Underfloor heating is best installed at the time of construction, as it's more challenging to install in existing properties.

A third option is underfloor matting. This is more a floor warmer rather than a heating option and is generally installed in bathrooms.

A simple boiler switch will typically start from around £5,000.

A top-of-the-range, high-efficiency air source heat pump installation will tend to start from £10,000. Opting for a heat pump means a higher installation cost, but your annual running costs could be two to four times lower than an electric boiler.

Generally, the most cost-effective and popular way to switch from oil or gas to electric heating is to simply replace your boiler while retaining your existing radiators and pipework.

Yes, you can spread the cost over five or 10 years with interest-free or low-interest schemes. 

If we carry out the installation, the JE payment scheme allows you to pay for your new heating system at 0% interest over 10 years up to £15,000.

If you use your own contractor, we can provide interest-free and low-interest loans through a local finance company. You can borrow up to £6,000 interest-free over five years or up to £25,000 on low interest.

Visit our Finance for electric heating page for more information.

An electric boiler will often save you money, or at least be competitive in running costs, while providing other benefits. 

An air source heat pump will save money in nearly all circumstances because they're so efficient. 

However, many factors affect running costs, including:

• Your current fuel
• The efficiency of your boiler
• The type of electric heating system
• Seasonal temperatures
• Home insulation levels
• Individual preferences

We can provide a calculation if we have your last 12 months' fuel bills and the make, model, size and age of your existing boiler. Visit our Running costs explained page for more information.

When switching from oil or gas, an air source heat pump is generally the most efficient solution available.

Using heat from the surrounding air, this innovative appliance can deliver efficiencies of up to 500%. The latest models can even be installed using your existing radiators and hot water cylinder to minimise disruption.

If you switch to an electric boiler, air source heat pump or smart panel heating, we recommend our Economy 20 Plus tariff. This provides 20 hours of discounted electricity for your heating and hot water, with the other four hours and all your other appliances charged at our general rate.

For more information on other tariffs and heating systems visit our Tariffs & rates page.

We will typically need to run a new cable from your fuse board to your boiler position. Our heating surveyor can identify and explain the route of this cable when we carry out a heating survey.

In most cases no, but it is more likely that you will need a supply upgrade if you have a large or poorly insulated property.

We'll be able to advise you in more detail when we visit your property. Our heating surveyor will submit all the paperwork and confirm if you need any additional supply works and their costs.

An air source heat pump, combined with underfloor heating, is the premium option in terms of efficiency, comfort and your carbon footprint. Alternatively, direct panel heating or underfloor cable offers a lower cost installation with excellent performance.

We have electric solutions to suit all heating needs and budgets. Visit our New builds and renovations page for more information.

Yes it will.

Switching to electric will reduce your heating-related carbon emissions by around 90% if you're moving from gas or oil, because Jersey's electricity is virtually decarbonised.

We publish the audited carbon intensity of electricity every year. Per unit of energy, our electricity is consistently 10 times lower carbon than gas and 12 times lower carbon than oil.

What's more, electric heating is typically 100% efficient. No heat is wasted, and this energy efficiency also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. If you opt for a top-of-the-range air source heat pump, your heating could be operating at up to 500% efficiency!

There are two options:

• Solar Photo Voltaic (PV), which produce electricity.
• Solar Thermal, which uses thermal panels, called collectors, to produce hot water.

PV cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell, it creates an electric field.

The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity the panels produce. Groups of cells are mounted together in panels or modules that can be installed on your roof.

Solar Thermal water heating systems use solar panels to collect heat from the sun and use it to heat water stored in a hot water cylinder.

You can combine solar thermal panels with a boiler or immersion as a back-up to boost the water temperature.

Both systems will ultimately provide ‘free’ energy. However, the installation costs can be high.