Electric heating

When electric heating is worth it

To be honest: direct electric heating is more expensive to run per kWh than gas. In a poorly insulated home, the bill can quickly mount up, so it only makes sense as a primary heating source in a well-insulated home. Where it does excel, however, is as supplementary heating for a specific room such as a bathroom or a study, in a home without a connection to the gas network, or as a quick stopgap if your main system fails. In new-build properties, incidentally, electric heating is often the logical choice, as new gas connections will be prohibited in Flanders for environmental permits submitted from 2025 onwards. Explain your situation to Ahmed, and he'll tell you whether electric heating is the right solution for you.

• A smart choice as a supplementary heating source or for a well-insulated room
• Makes sense without a connection to the gas mains
• A quick stopgap if your main system fails
• New-build properties from 2025 onwards: no new gas connections in Flanders

Heat pump water heater for your hot water

If you still have a traditional electric water heater, this is the upgrade that really makes a difference. A heat pump water heater extracts heat from the ambient air and so uses three to four times less electricity to produce the same amount of hot water. It does, however, need a space of around 10 cubic metres where it doesn't get too cold, such as a storage room or garage. Expect to pay around 2,000 to 4,500 euros for the unit, plus installation. Ahmed will connect the electricity, water and condensate drain, and neatly conceal the cabling and pipework. For a unit like this, you can currently benefit from the reduced VAT rate of 6 per cent, and there is a grant available via Mijn VerbouwPremie. The exact amounts depend on your situation and the current terms and conditions.

• Three to four times less electricity than a conventional electric water heater
• Requires a space of approximately 10 cubic metres; it mustn't be too cold
• The unit costs approximately 2,000 to 4,500 euros, plus installation
• 6 per cent VAT and a grant may be available via Mijn VerbouwPremie

Connection, control and inspection

Ahmed will connect your appliance to its own, properly fused circuit and neatly conceal the wiring. If you want to control the heating room by room, or link it to your solar panels or time-of-use tariff, he will install the relevant thermostat or smart control system. A Fluvius grant is available for such control systems, covering part of the costs, provided the unit is on the approved list. After installing new units, he will check that your system complies with AREI regulations. He works carefully and causes as little damage as possible, so you won't have to clear up any mess afterwards.