can i replace an old economy 7 storage heater with a towel heater

leemagners

probably a silly post but due to limited funds and my first child due later this year i am currently using funds to decorate nursery and our very small bathroom for the new arrival and was wondering if possible can i replace the horrid looking economy 7 storage heater in the bathroom with a towel/bathroom heater using the existing wiring for the storage heater which has an isolator switch outside the bathroom . i have disconnected the storage heater to get to the wall behind but hate the thought of replacing it in a new bathroom and currently due to the baby we cannot afford the cost of gas central heating yet.
many thanks
lee

Premier_2

You could, but...

Is the circuit that the storage heaters are on always live (with storage heaters being controlled by individual clocks), or is the circuit only live during the off peak period? If it's only live during the off peak period, then obviously the heater will only work then, probably when you don't want it to.

Also check latest electrical regulations. A new electrical appliance being installed, especially in a bathroom, may require revised safety precautions preventing you from legally making such revision.

leemagners

thanks for your mssg
they are all controlled from an induvidual timer next to the electricity box with each heater on trip switches and i can see your point that if connected it would come on when not needed ie; on at 12 am and off again at 7am but if i reset the timer for the heater to come on when needed and turn all remaining heaters off at the isolator switches it could work am i right or is it just too much hassle.

dunloadin

The only way to do it is to connect the towel rail to your domestic supply. If your on about changing the timer on the clock attached to the meter you will need to break the seals....this is tampering and is illegal.

Premier_2

It sounds like you are going to require new cabling to be installed. Should that be the case and as this is in a bathroom, I think that'll come under part P certification requirements.

Probably best to get a registered electrician to look at your existing installation and see what they recommend.

leemagners

its not the main meter i would tamper with its just the timer settings as to when the heaters would switch on then off again .
i wont connect to the existing point where i have removed the storage heater now though i may still purchase an electric towel rail/heater and have it installed by someone with better knowledge than me with the electric part .
i obviously know it has to be done correctly and properly more so being in the bathroom but if i knew it was a simple straight forward job then i would attempt to connect it myself .
cheers all the same i just want a nice pleasant warm bathroom for when the baby arrives

Be_Happy

Not sure about the need to replace the storage heater with an electric towel rail.

I have a house full of storage heaters and having lived in more houses with varieties of gas and electric heating over the years than I care to remember, I like my heaters. I control them carefully and find the cost is not much more than my sister pays for her gas heating.

Anyway, last year I added a new modern bathroom storage heater (34cm wide by 16cm deep) and can't believe the difference to the bathroom. It keeps its heat well and is warm for most of the day. Our showerroom, on the other hand has an electric towel rail which is controlled by a time clock. It is either warm, or very cold and the rail is expensive to run when on for long periods plus does not really heat the room.

Have you had a look at the modern Dimplex bathroom storage heaters, they can even have a towel rail added to them.

leemagners

thanks for your replies obviously its best to replace the storage heater as it would provide more heat than a towel rail and guess a silly idea.just thought the storage heater is ugly lookin and a little dated so was just thinking about appearance in a new bathroom .i have looked at the modern one but quoted 200 plus for a new one which i feel is overpriced.

JoolzS

Towel heaters do what they say - they warm (not even heat) the towels.

I would definitely aim to actually heat your bathroom and not make it look pretty - your baby will appreciate warmth far more than prettiness.

I will also add that if you haven't already spent the money on "decorating" the baby's room and if you could use it elsewhere to make your home more comfortable - then make your home more comfortable. Babies remember nothing - as you will obviously know because you were once a baby. The books, magazines and shops all want you to buy the "perfect" thing for your newborn. All s/he needs is to be clean/fed/warm/comfortable. I'm not saying don't buy anything for your baby - but if your income is limited then try to research what s/he really needs and not what the big stores want you to believe s/he needs.

Julie

leemagners

thanks joolz i have allready decorated the baby room just need to lay floor and get furniture in there and add pics etc and i am aware of the vast amount of (expensive) but unnecessary products out there for newborn babys .as its my first child (due aug29th)i am already reading lots and have my new dad sites to get information from and understand the importance of warmth.
i think i will just have the bathroom as quite basic for now and concentrate on other things and at a later date when installing gch i will transform the bathroom to how i would like it adding towel rails etc .
cheers