These factors stem from the fact that the electricity that is used to power electric steam boilers has to be generated somewhere. As well as the use of electricity it is not free especially considering that most electric boilers require a good deal of electricity to run at efficient and full capacity, which add on top of the problems of using it to boil water. Generating the power required to run an electric boiler can create just as many if not more pollution/emissions than burning fuel in the traditional boiler.