FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Electric boiler options?

spencer | Posted in General Discussion on August 17, 2005 07:49am

I try to steer most of my clients for new homes to radiant in-floor heating.  However, with oil prices growing each day and my desire for a cleaner source, I’m interested in persuing electric boiler options.  Has anyone used electric boilers as their source for in-floor heating?  Are there any disadvantages to going electric?  What brands are out there?  I’d appreciate any help I can get here.  Thanks.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    IMERC | Aug 17, 2005 08:05pm | #1

    electric is cleaner and more efficient....

    but....

    costs more per BTU to operate becauce of the proice of a KW of electricity.. 

     

    1. spencer | Aug 17, 2005 11:48pm | #3

      Thanks IMERC.  I'm in SE Alaska where heating fuels are running close to $3 bucks a gallon and our electricity source is hydro.  I'm not sure what our KW price is, but I like the idea of not burning fuel.  You said electric is more efficient.  In what way?  Is it worth researching?

      Thanks again.

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Aug 17, 2005 11:56pm | #4

        study the cost of electric....

        BTW it is worthless in a power failure....

        have a plan "B".... 

        1. bosn | Aug 18, 2005 03:26am | #5

          Depending on the load, you could consider a back-up generator to power the

          boiler(s), a few lights, and the fridge.If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Aug 18, 2005 03:30am | #6

            that you could...

            make it a big one... 

      2. User avater
        BillHartmann | Aug 18, 2005 06:16pm | #9

        " You said electric is more efficient. "Efficiency is a very specific term that misused more than it is used correctly.Efficeincy is the percent of usefull energy that you get out of a system divided by the energy that you put into it.In the case of the an electrical boiler it is 99.9%. The only losses are the very small resistance in the wires from the meter to the boiler and if those are with in conditioned space then it is not a loss anyway.In an oil boiler 10-30% of the energy in the oil goes up the flue in terms of heat.However, it is ABSOLUTLEY MEANINGLESS for your purposes.What you need to find out is what the cost of a BTU of usefull heat is. Now you will need the eff to make that calculation.But looking at efficency for efficency sake is only meaningfull in compare two pieces of equipment that use the same fuel.

  2. Tim | Aug 17, 2005 08:53pm | #2

    Weil-McLain makes 3 different series of electric boilers, the CE, the PER and the CER, with the  PER being the smallest (51 to 85 MBH) and CER midrange (82 to 137 MBH). Lochinvar makes a few versions as well, and these are just the 2 catalogs on my desk. Most manufacturers offer electric versions of their boilers.

    The primary disadvantage of going electric is that the cost of electricity, in most areas of the country, is twice that of other "fuels". Running 00 wire for a 120A circuit is not typically a DIY project, and all other things being equal, might require a bump to the next level (400A ?) of service from the electric company because the standard 200A service probably won't cut it.

  3. stinger | Aug 18, 2005 04:08am | #7

    Electric is dirt cheap where I live, and everyone heats with KWs.  There has been so much building, though, that the town put a moratorium on the use of electric boilers for radiant heat.

    I've done two jobs using electric boilers, both completed before the ban, and have experience with Argo and E-F-M brands.  IMHO, the Argo is superior.

    BTW, our KWH cost is about 4 cents.

    1. bosn | Aug 18, 2005 08:47am | #8

      I know about the expansion thing because my brother didn't follow the diretions when he put them up and a twelve footer tore some brackets out of the wall when it expanded.  After he cursed, scratched his head, read the directions, rehung them, patched the walls, touched up the paint, and told the story to somehow make himself sound like a genius for figuring it out,  he likes them.  In fact he brags about them like he is some kind of genius for buying them.  Brothers.

       

      Oh, and Q-mark makes a similar product that lays into a 2x4 grid ceiling and one that is basically a portable space heater. (to replace the noisy one under your secratary/wife's desk.If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper

Look closely at these common locations for hazardous materials in older homes.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • A Practical Perfect Wall
  • Smarter Stop Block
  • Square Walls Solo
  • Deck-Board Pry Bar

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data