Storage heaters

SallyD

A totally renovated house I recently viewed has new slimline Sunhouse SSH18M electric heaters 2.5kw.

I know nothing about this type of heating. Googled and the limited information advised this model is a storage heater which allows full manual control of both energy imput and heat output. I do understand that this type of heater stores the heat and releases......but can it be switched on to give constant heat if I feel cold? The estate agent knew nothing.

There is a coal/wood burner stove in the living room plus a Sunhouse and Sunhouses in the hall and bedrooms - the house has been double glazed and a very well insulated loft.

Neighbouring houses have rear access to their gardens which house either an oil tank or gas tank, this house has no rear access...hence the electric heaters.

Any informaton /advice would be much appreciated.

Cardew

The heaters are designed as simple storage heaters, charged up in the 7 hours of Economy 7 heating, and release the heat in a controlled fashion during the 17 hours.

They might be used on Economy 10.

They are not like the Dimplex Duo heaters that have a convector heater built in.

The problem with most storage heaters is that they can run out of heat in the evenings or earlier if you have used them all day.

If that is the case, you are best off getting a £20 convector heater to provide additional heat.

SallyD

I kinda suspected you could run out of heat. Any idea on what type of room temperatures you can achieve?

mikey72

The model should store up to 17kw of heat, and release it later.
So that's the same as running a 1kw fan heater for 17hours, or a 3kw fire for just over 5 1/2 hours.
Manual means you set how much heat is saved, and then comes out, the out control is basically a flap which restricts the airflow through, less flow, less heat, but stays warmer longer.
Usually then have a thermostat that varies the flap as the room warms up, to keep the temperature stable.
They do work quite well, and keep the room at a good temperature, but they are at their best in a small room, or several smaller ones in a large room, rather than one bigger one, and used in the evenings.
But when the heats gone, they won't be warm until the next day, unless there is some other form of boost built in, and these don't sound like they have it, so not good if you're in all day, and would usually keep the central heating on.

KimYeovil

Worse than running out is having to guess nineteen hours in advance what tomorrow's weather will be like. If you get it wrong you've wasted a night's electricity (or even worse have to use premium rate day/evening units.) The last few weeks is a perfect example of when storage heaters are rubbish. Despite the inclement patches it has still been very mild in the evenings and there has been no need for any heating (most evenings). Unfortunately, those with storage heaters do not have this real time interaction with Britain's unreliable elements.

SallyD

Thank you all for your responses. I am disappointed the builder did not install an electric heat source pump central heating system as he did such a wonderful job on the extension and refurbishments.I am very keen on the house so am going to ask how much he would charge to install a heat source pump as that would be the only alternative to guarantee constant heat I can control (I know such a system does not come cheap and there is a measly grant available). My second choice house is oil-fired central heating!

PasturesNew

Check these out:
"Heat Electric has developed a truly revolutionary central heating system. Our unique, electric water filled radiator requires no plumbing or pipe-work. Simply wall mount onto brackets, plug into a standard 13 amp socket and switch on. The radiators are highly efficient - being water filled they attain the same heat output quality of a plumbed wet system - have exceptional controllability and are easy to install."

How it Works: http://www.easy-heat.co.uk/how_it_works_unid9abd_page.aspx

How Much it Costs to Run: http://www.easy-heat.co.uk/easy-heat_running_costs_unid39b5_page.aspx

I've heard good things about them. The main benefit is they don't require special wiring or plumbing. Just mount them on the wall and plug them in.

SallyD

PasturesNew, thank you for the information. Have downloaded the Radiator Informaton Pack with great interest. Anyone out there using Easy-Heat Radiators?

Magentasue

I would avoid all-electric houses - have lived in one for a number of years and our last two were all electric until we installed gas CH - meaning we had a winter in each with all-electric. So much cheaper once gas in - would definitely consider other houses with gas CH already installed.

Torry_Quine

Am puzzled as to why people are so negative about Storage Heaters. This is the second house I've lived in with them and think they're really good. No problems with heat running out and I think this would only happen if you have the damper or flap open a lot. If you need to open it a lot then you don't have the input setting up high enough as it should really only be needed for a short time if it is extra cold one evening. I am at home all day and so would need heating on whatever source I used. Weather forecasts are usually pretty accurate these days so allowing you to know in advance when it is getting colder or milder.

SallyD

Mmmmmm,certainly not going to rush into anything and am weighing up the pro's and cons. Just spent most of the night flicking through my chosen area on Rightmove and a couple of houses I fancied viewing were "sold subject to contract" all with natural gas central heating two weeks ago have re-appeared for sale again and cheaper! even a house I put an offer in and was refused 2 months ago has re-appeared for less than I offered...mad or what!

Thank you all so much for your responses plenty to mull over.