Not yet for a while, but in a couple or so years we will be moving back to the UK because neither of us can stomach the inheritance laws in France and stedfastly refuse to leave our hard earned to the French Government !!

So as we avidly search the on-line property market in the UK we keep asking ourselves, what are the lowest price (to run) central heating systems to run in th UK ????

Whatever we buy, I would almost certainly fit water heating solar panels but I very much doubt I would go for the electrical solar panels on ground of cost.

Any advice would be greatly received.

We're all electric. We have computer controlled (programable in zones) under floor electric heating and have found it pretty cheap. Water (and night heat cycle) is on Economy 7. It's very cosy and leaves the room radiator free. We live in a large 2 bed apartment and have a ton of showers (due to triathlon training, not because we stink).

We are top floor so our place comes with solar heating as a back up and cuts in and out when the weather is warm enough, but I can't tell how you much it contributes.

Our bills are approx £270-290 per qtr in winter and approx £220-£230 per qtr at other times.

From experience, the answer to this question changes with time. Used to be gas was a lot cheaper than electricity, then it was the opposite. Just like diesel used to be cheaper and now it's not.

Perhaps as important (or more so) is making sure you don't waste energy - a Victorian detached with 12 ft ceilings and drafty old sash windows will cost a lot more to keep warm than a modern terraced with triple-glazing, cavity wall insutlation, loft insulation, etc.

Hi Jimmy:

I believe you may like looking into portable gas heater. The advantage, I believe, is where there is less wastage and consumption is more direct and controlled where and when it is required. These heaters run on gas but the advantage is that one does not require gas supply from suppliers but order gas-cylinders from your local gas supply branch. This overall requires nearly no cost maintenance to run than in conventional central heating system. Hope this information helps and good-luck.

One of my friends in England has just had solar heating panels fitted at no cost (must be some Government scheme) to assist with her heating costs. Most people seem to find gas the cheapest option. Bear in mind that the Uk is going to introduce smart meters in the near future for electricity.

Currently the UK government is doing all it can to reduce electricity and gas bills by working with energy companies on installing smart meters in 30 million UK homes. These Smart meters will show exactly how much gas and electricity is being used, rather than just customers receiving monthly estimated bills.

Energy companies are set to install them in homes and businesses between 2014 and 2019.

So if you happen to come back after 2014 than you're in for a treat.

Our flat is only 3yrs old. We have a digital meter that has 'READ 1' and READ 2' for day and night usage, which gives a numerical readout of the units used on each. Is that a smart meter?

Basically it's mains gas, oil or lpg, and electricity, in that order. Electricity is expensive for heating most houses, because of the way storage heaters work.

For very well insulated, smaller properties, it can work very well, so TR1Boy is not wrong for his circumstances.

The government feed-in tariff for solar electricity makes it economical to install solar panels, but this should not influence your choice of heating fuel. If your panels make more electiricity than you use, then you get paid for feeding it into the grid.

If it's a Smart meter like ours here in CA we don't have anyone come out to read it any more. It's all computerized and is read from the computer at the Electric company offices. We noticed out bill went down once we got ours, but we also have friends who'd bills went up quite a bit. Makes you wonder about the accuracy of any of the meters.

You might find this link useful: Energy Savings Trust

Ah I see thanks. We still have to read the meter (I phone in the readings now and then and they come and read about every 2nd qtr). Sounds like my meter is semi-smart, but could do better. (just like my school reports)

I listened to a very interesting BBC Radio 4 show about Smart Meters recently.

They said that some energy companies were installing their own types of smart meter ahead of time but that they may have to be replaced when the nationwide scheme is introduced to conform to the industry requirements.