Hi, I'm new to this game so excuse if this has all been covered before.

Basically, my dilemma is as follows. I'm in the process of building a three bedroom house on the west coast of Scotland. No mains gas, only oil or LPG. With geopolitics being what it is I don't want to use oil or LPG (the P being petroleum) to provide heat for radiators and underfloor heating, already installed. Ground source heat pumps are not an option although we are hoping to install a small solar panel to provide some domestic hot water. A wood burning stove will provide space heating in one room downstairs (and hopefully circulate throughout the rest of the house, which is very well insulated). Back boiler not an option due to layout. That leaves me with little option but to consider an electric boiler to produce hot water to circulate in the central heating system. (Our supply comes from a pair of privately run hydro-electric generators which feed the grid, so green issues are covered). I know electric heating is very expensive, even on Economy 10, which seems to be the best deal.

As I said, the house is well insulated and we should really only require the central heating occasionally, but I am led to believe that underfloor heating is best used by keeping a background heat in the system - 15 degrees I think - even when not on. This would entail the boiler cycling 24/7, often outwith the E10 off peak hours. Also, the ability to warm the house outside the off peak periods without breaking the bank (and do they really need my help to do that) would be nice. Does anybody out there have any tips or suggestions with regard to the most economical way forward? Who does the best electricity only deal for this area - postcode PA31, Argyll - or are all suppliers available to me? I'm currently ( no pun intended) with Scottish Hydro, on a standard tariff. Are there better deals than E10? Has anyone had experience of electric boilers?

Thanks in advance