Electric boilers, radiators and underfloor heating - Superheat 24 hour tariff.

This tariff was designed exclusively for electric heating and runs at a low-rate 24 hours a day. 

Electric heating appliances connected to Superheat must be wired on a separate circuit and connected to a separate distribution board.

Storage heaters - Super Economy 12 tariff.

This refers to 12 hours out of 24 when you can run your heating using low-rate electricity. This is made up of 2 hours during the day and 10 hours at night. Storage heaters work by storing heat generated using low-rate electricity overnight and releasing that heat during the day. 

Water heating and towel rails - these are usually on a Super Economy 12 tariff. 

It’s essential that you use a timer to ensure you’re only heating hot water during your low-rate Super Economy 12 times.

The best time to heat water is between 11pm and 5am as this takes advantage of both low-rate electricity and uses 100% renewable energy. At night we do not use as much electricity meaning the power station is not required to top up our imported electricity to meet customer demand.

Air source heat pumps - Heat pump tariff.

This is available for a permanently connected heat pump system and all elements of the system including pumps and controls will use this same tariff.  

Air source heat pumps using the heat pump tariff must be wired on a separate circuit and connected to a separate distribution board/consumer unit.

As there is so much demand for electric heating at this time, 'additional load' application processing can be quite a few weeks and it is very unlikely you'll get your installations at short notice.

Switching from fossil-fuel to an electric heating system is a similar time investment in your property to that of designing and building an extension and takes time to fully complete.  

The most satisfied customers have found planning two years in advance helps manage the various stages required including the additional load application, possible supply line cable upgrades and contractor lead times. 

Your installer will need to apply to Guernsey Electricity for additional load prior to installing your new heating system and this assessment may take several weeks to fully complete. 

Excluding the current waiting time for additional load application processing, a typical electric heating installation will depend on if you need a new supply line cable upgrade. 

• If you already have sufficient capacity on the electricity supply line cable supplying your property, the switch should be fairly straightforward and may take around 21 weeks from initial enquiry to heating your home.
• If your property needs a supply line cable upgrade, the installation may take around 29 weeks.

However each property is different and you should discuss options with your installer as early as possible to make sure you are not in a situation where you're without heating when you need it. 

If the supply line cable supplying your property has sufficient capacity, you will not need an upgrade. However to find this out, your installer will need to submit an 'additional load' application. 

If you’d like to make the switch to electric heating but are unsure about the upfront cost, you may be able to receive a preferential rate from lenders who offer "green lending". 

Your best option would be to get in touch with your preferred lender and enquire about discounted loans based on purchasing an electric heating system as an alternative to gas or oil.