If you’re choosing between a gas and an electric cooker for your London home, here’s the short answer: gas cookers usually cost less to run and give you more control over cooking heat, while electric cookers are safer, easier to install in flats, and often cheaper to buy upfront. The right choice depends on your kitchen setup, your energy tariff, and whether your building even allows a gas connection.
This guide breaks down real running costs, installation rules, safety differences, and energy efficiency for both cooker types — using current 2026 UK energy price data — so you can make a decision that actually fits your London home, whether that’s a period terrace in Islington or a new-build flat in Nine Elms.
Gas vs Electric Cooker: Quick Comparison Table
| Factor | Gas Cooker | Electric Cooker |
|---|---|---|
| Average running cost | Lower (gas is cheaper per unit than electricity) | Higher per unit, but modern ovens are efficient |
| Upfront price | £250–£900 (freestanding) | £200–£1,200 (freestanding), more for induction |
| Installation cost (London) | £80–£200 for a Gas Safe engineer | £60–£150 for a qualified electrician |
| Heat control | Instant, highly adjustable | Slower to respond (except induction) |
| Best for flats/new-builds | Only if a gas supply exists | Yes — no gas connection needed |
| Safety | Carbon monoxide risk if unmaintained | No CO risk, but hot surfaces stay hot longer |
| Energy efficiency | ~40% efficient (open flame loses heat) | ~70–90% efficient (induction highest) |
| Landlord/rental suitability | Needs annual gas safety certificate | Simpler compliance, no gas cert needed |
| London-specific factor | Many period properties already piped for gas | Many new-build flats are all-electric by design |
Gas Cooker vs Electric Cooker: Running Costs in 2026
Gas is still the cheaper fuel per unit of energy in the UK, which is why gas cooker running costs tend to be lower than electric, even though electric ovens waste less heat.
Based on 2026 Ofgem price cap averages, gas costs roughly 6–7p per kWh, while electricity costs roughly 25–28p per kWh — around four times more per unit. That gap is the single biggest factor in the gas vs electric cooker running cost debate.
Typical annual cooking costs for a London household (moderate use, cooking most days):
- Gas cooker: approximately £35–£55 per year
- Standard electric cooker: approximately £70–£100 per year
- Induction electric cooker: approximately £50–£75 per year (higher efficiency offsets some of the price gap)
Induction hobs narrow the gap because they transfer heat directly into the pan instead of heating a coil or flame first, wasting far less energy than either gas or standard electric resistance hobs.
Real-world example: A family in a three-bedroom Croydon house that cooks daily meals, bakes weekly, and uses the hob for 30–40 minutes a day will typically spend £15–£25 more per year running an electric cooker instead of gas — not a huge gap, but it adds up over a cooker’s 10–15 year lifespan.
If you’re on a dual-fuel tariff already (most London homes are), switching to electric-only cooking won’t remove a standing charge you’re already paying for heating, so the cost difference is purely about usage, not fixed fees.
Gas Cooker Energy Efficiency vs Electric Cooker Energy Efficiency
Electric cookers convert more of the energy they use into actual cooking heat than gas cookers do, which is the opposite of what the running-cost numbers might suggest.
Here’s why that matters:
- Gas hobs are around 40% efficient — most of the flame’s heat escapes around the sides of the pan into the kitchen air.
- Standard electric hobs are around 65–75% efficient, since the heating element sits in direct contact with the pan.
- Induction hobs reach 85–90% efficiency, because they heat the pan itself through electromagnetic induction rather than heating a surface first.
- Gas ovens typically run 30–40% efficient due to heat loss through venting.
- Electric fan ovens run 40–55% efficient, since the fan circulates heat more evenly and holds temperature better.
So electric wins on efficiency, but gas still wins on running cost — because the price per unit of gas is so much lower than electricity. This is the core tension anyone comparing gas vs electric cooking needs to understand: efficiency and cost-per-use are two different metrics, and they don’t point the same direction.
Gas Cooker vs Electric Cooker: Advantages and Disadvantages
Gas Cooker Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Instant heat control — turn the flame up or down and the temperature changes immediately
- Lower running costs on current UK energy prices
- Familiar to most home cooks, especially for wok cooking, searing, and flambéing
- Continues working during a power cut (as long as the ignition isn’t fully electronic)
Disadvantages:
- Requires an annual Gas Safety Certificate if you’re a landlord
- Open flame carries a small carbon monoxide and fire risk if the appliance isn’t serviced
- Not an option in gas-free new-build flats, which are common across London under current building regulations
- Ovens tend to have hot and cool spots due to uneven heat distribution
Electric Cooker Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- No combustion, so no carbon monoxide risk
- Even oven heat distribution, especially with fan-assisted models
- Easier and often cheaper installation, since no gas engineer or gas certificate is required
- Works in any property, including gas-free new-builds and high-rise flats
Disadvantages:
- Higher running costs per unit of energy used
- Hobs (except induction) are slower to heat up and cool down
- Ceramic and coil hobs can retain heat on the surface after switching off, which is a burn risk for households with children
- A power cut means no cooking at all
Which Is Better for London Homes: Gas or Electric?
The best cooker for London homes depends heavily on your building type, not just personal preference, because gas supply availability varies a lot across the city’s housing stock.
London Flats and New-Builds
Many new-build developments across London — particularly in zones like Nine Elms, Stratford, and parts of Canary Wharf — are built without gas connections at all, as part of wider net-zero building policies. If you live in one of these, electric is your only option, and that’s increasingly the direction London housing is heading.
Period Properties and Older Terraces
Homes in areas like Clapham, Islington, and Greenwich were mostly built with gas piping already in place. If your kitchen already has a gas supply, sticking with gas often makes financial sense since you avoid the cost of any electrical upgrades an induction hob might need.
Small London Kitchens
For a small kitchen, an electric cooker with a slimline or slot-in design can be easier to fit safely, since you don’t need ventilation clearance for an open flame. Induction hobs also run cooler to the touch, which matters in a tight galley kitchen where a hot surface is closer to hands and elbows.
Rental Properties
For landlords, electric cookers cut down on compliance admin — no annual gas safety check needed on the cooker itself (though any existing gas boiler still needs one). This is a good option for gas cooker or electric cooker for rental property, since it reduces long-term certification costs.
Gas Cooker Installation vs Electric Cooker Installation in London
Gas Cooker Installation Requirements in London
Gas cooker installation must legally be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer — this isn’t optional under UK law. Attempting a DIY gas cooker connection is illegal and dangerous.
What’s involved in a typical gas cooker installation in London:
- Site assessment — the engineer checks your existing gas supply, pipework, and ventilation.
- Isolation valve check — a bayonet fitting or isolation valve must be present and working.
- Appliance connection — the cooker is connected using an approved flexible hose or rigid pipe.
- Tightness testing — the engineer pressure-tests the connection to confirm there are no leaks.
- Ignition and function test — hob and oven burners are tested for correct flame colour and heat.
- Safety certificate — you receive a record confirming the installation meets current gas safety regulations.
Typical gas cooker installation cost in London: £80–£200, depending on whether new pipework or a new isolation valve is needed. Older properties without an existing bayonet fitting will cost more, since additional pipework has to be run.
Electric Cooker Installation Requirements in the UK
Electric cooker installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician, especially for anything wired directly into the consumer unit rather than plugged into a standard socket.
What’s involved in a typical electric cooker installation:
- Circuit check — confirming the existing cooker circuit can handle the new appliance’s load.
- Cooker point installation — fitting a dedicated cooker switch and outlet if one isn’t already present.
- Wiring connection — hardwiring the cooker to the circuit (most ovens over 3kW need this rather than a standard plug).
- Isolation switch fitting — a wall-mounted switch positioned near, but not directly above, the cooker.
- Testing — checking earth continuity, insulation resistance, and correct function before sign-off.
Typical electric cooker installation cost in London: £60–£150 for a straightforward swap where a cooker point already exists. Costs rise if new wiring or a consumer unit upgrade is needed for a higher-powered induction hob.
Gas vs Electric Cooker Safety
Both cooker types are safe when installed and maintained correctly, but the risks they carry are different in nature.
Gas cooker safety considerations:
- Requires working carbon monoxide detection in the kitchen
- Needs annual servicing to catch leaks or faulty seals early
- Open flame poses a direct fire risk if left unattended near flammable materials
Electric cooker safety considerations:
- No combustion or CO risk
- Ceramic and coil hobs retain heat after switching off — a real risk for households with young children or pets
- Faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit can be a fire risk if installation wasn’t done to standard
For London homes with children, some safety-conscious households prefer induction hobs specifically, since the cooking surface itself doesn’t get hot — only the pan does.
Should I Replace My Gas Cooker With an Electric Cooker?
It’s worth switching if your building is being converted to all-electric, if you want to reduce reliance on gas long-term, or if you’re renovating a kitchen and want more flexibility in appliance placement without needing a gas line nearby.
It’s usually not worth switching purely to save money, since electricity’s higher unit price in the UK tends to cancel out most of the efficiency gains — unless you’re moving specifically to induction, which narrows the running-cost gap considerably.
Can I switch from a gas cooker to an electric cooker?
Yes, in most homes. You’ll need a qualified electrician to check whether your existing circuit can handle the new appliance’s power draw, and in some older properties, this may mean upgrading the consumer unit or running a new dedicated circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gas or electric cooker better in London?
It depends on your property. Gas tends to cost less to run and suits homes with an existing gas supply, while electric is required in gas-free new-builds and tends to be simpler to install and maintain.
Which is cheaper, gas or electric cooker?
Gas is cheaper to run in most UK homes because gas costs roughly a quarter of the price of electricity per unit, even though electric appliances waste less energy.
Is an electric cooker cheaper to run than gas?
No, not typically. Standard electric cookers usually cost £70–£100 a year to run compared to £35–£55 for gas, though induction hobs narrow that gap due to higher efficiency.
Is gas cooking cheaper than electric cooking?
Yes, based on current UK energy prices, gas cooking is generally cheaper per year than electric cooking, even accounting for gas’s lower heat efficiency.
How much does gas cooker installation cost in London?
Typically £80–£200, depending on whether an isolation valve or new pipework is needed. A Gas Safe registered engineer must carry out the work by law.
How much does electric cooker installation cost in London?
Usually £60–£150 for a standard swap. Costs increase if new wiring, a dedicated circuit, or a consumer unit upgrade is required.
Which cooker is more energy efficient, gas or electric?
Electric cookers are more energy efficient. Induction hobs reach around 85–90% efficiency compared to roughly 40% for gas hobs, since less heat escapes during cooking.
Can I switch from a gas cooker to an electric cooker?
Yes. You’ll need an electrician to confirm your circuit can support the new appliance, and possibly a new dedicated cooker circuit if one doesn’t already exist.
Is gas or electric better for a small London kitchen?
Electric, particularly induction, tends to suit small kitchens better since it doesn’t need open-flame ventilation clearance and stays cooler to the touch.
Is gas cooker or electric cooker better for a rental property?
Electric is often simpler for landlords, since it avoids the need for an annual gas safety certificate on the cooker itself, reducing ongoing compliance costs.
Final Verdict: Gas or Electric Cooker for Your London Home?
There’s no single right answer — the best cooker for your London home comes down to what your kitchen already supports, how much control you want over cooking heat, and whether upfront installation cost or long-term running cost matters more to you. Gas wins on running cost and heat control. Electric wins on installation simplicity, safety, and compatibility with modern London flats.
If you already know which direction you’re heading, the next step is getting the installation done safely and correctly by a certified professional — not a DIY job, and not a generalist handyman.
Need a gas cooker or hob installed in London? Our Gas Safe registered engineers handle gas cooker installation, gas hob installation, and gas cooker connection across London, with same-week appointments available in most areas. Get in touch for a fixed-price quote before booking.