Heating a small flat

ConcernedMum_3
ConcernedMum_3 Posts: 1 Newbie
in Energy
My son and his friend, both students, have recently rented a small flat which, for some strange reason, only has electric 'off peak' storage heating in the two bedrooms (I've bought them both hot water bottles and switched the heaters off!) The only heating provided in their tiny sitting room is an electric convector heater which is eating up the units and providing very little heat. They only need instant heat for very short periods of time as they're not at home too often. Any suggestions as to what they can use which might save them some money?

Comments

  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,088 Forumite
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    The first thing to do is to change to a non E7 tariff so that their 'instant' heat is not charged at premium rates. If there is no gas heating option then expensive electric heating is the only way.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • KimYeovil
    KimYeovil Posts: 6,156 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    They should also sit down and experiment with the storage heating first to see if it is worth keeping it before making changes. As the flat is small try leaving doors open when they are out to see if the ambient heat is enough to keep away the chill.
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    ConcernedMum wrote: »
    ... Any suggestions as to what they can use which might save them some money?

    They could use those storage heaters you turned off!

    Any other type of electrical heating they have, including boiling the kettle to fill those hot water bottles, will cost 2 or 3 times the cost per unit of heat.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    or there is the old adage of it being easier to keep a person warm rather than the whole room. -few extra jumpers of throw a blanket on the sofa?
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    Good idea JasX! :)

    I just had the same thought, but was also wondering, with daytime temperatures still averaging about 14 - 16 C (19C in Canterbury!) and overnight temperatures barely dropping below double figures, why they need any heating on at all at present?
    The heater that's "eating up" the units" ??? :huh:

    If they want to lounge around in shorts & tee shirts, it going to be expensive whatever heating they use.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • maxmycardagain
    maxmycardagain Posts: 5,747 Forumite
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    edited 4 October 2010 at 12:35PM
    take readings for day and night periods and with/without the heating on

    normal NSRs are 3.5kw each, you need a low night rate (4p/unit, 9p day rate) and 2 rate meter

    you could heat the lounge with some sort of storage heating via a socket and a timer to utilise cheap rate leccy

    2 of these maybe?

    total of 3.4kw equals 1 of ours and each could run thru its own a 13amp socket, (but ONLY timed on economy 7 tarrif 01.30-08.30 summertime 00.30-07.30 winter time)

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unidare-1-7-kW-electric-night-storage-heater-/150499858598?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&hash=item230a7d98a6
    Now we all know how it felt to play in the band on the Titanic...
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