What are the best storage heaters?

Cardew

JennyR68 wrote: »

Cardew you know fine well I am not on here promoting my system to justify myself every time someone asks about electric heating.

I commented on this post to point out the possible benefits of thermostatic electric heating to the OP. Only when pressed, i ignored first request , did I say what I have. In hindsight I wish i'd responded by saying "something like this" - http://www.alertelectrical.com/Electric-Heating-Fixed/Panel-Heaters-and-Radiators/Elnur-Designer-Radiators/ where the product type sits plain and simple on the page with none of the hype that winds you up so.

I do not believe in 'magic properties'. I wasn't conned by the website I was recommended by friends who used the company. There is not enough information given here as you imagine on the capabilities of a 'cheap' heater. When people come on here in frustration at their storage heaters they get lectured on how to 'use them properly' no one suggests they might be happier and better off ripping out and changing for a few cheap heaters.

I won't be back in May promoting my system, I'll be demonstrating for the benefit of all the frustrated storage heater owners stuck in all electric houses thinking this is as good as it gets that other systems can be cheaper, easier to run and more enviromentally friendly.

If others can do it the same cheaper I'm very happy for them. I do wish all the happy 'cheap panel' users would come and support with their figures just how reasonable electric heating is. I can't comment on that I only have the evidence for mine. But don't worry I won't be naming names.

38kw for yesterday, spring must be on the way :j

Jenny,
I don’t know how many times it has to be stated that there is merit in considering panel heating over storage heating, or even gas CH in small properties. Although for some people Storage heating will be the better option.
In this nearly 4 year old thread
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=246782&highlight=daily+telegraph
I posted the following:

This article is interesting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/...xpright12.html

EDIT
the link doesn't work here but does from my original post?? Bear in mind it is 10 months old so prices are a little out of date - but the principle still applies.


On the level: what gas really costs
(Filed: 12/10/2005)
Ask Jeff
There's a lot to be said for wiring-in electric panel heaters or night-storage heaters, writes Jeff Howell

A month ago I wrote about switching energy suppliers, and have since been asked by several readers for my views on the most economical energy source. I get a steady trickle of letters with this query anyway, but the recent rises in gas and electricity prices, press stories about diminishing stocks of natural gas, and the increase in the crude oil price following hurricane Katrina have all led to a greater concern about energy supplies and prices.

Most readers in urban areas will have natural gas piped into their homes, and might assume that this is the cheapest fuel. But over the past few years I have viewed a lot of new housing developments (many as a judge for The Daily Telegraph/What House? awards), and I have been struck by the fact that most new houses and flats these days tend to be fitted with electric panel heaters rather than gas-fired central-heating systems. On the one hand, this could be seen as a cynical ploy by the developers to cut costs. After all, wiring is cheaper than pipework, and there are no boilers, pumps or radiators to break down or leak, requiring remedial call-backs. On the other, it might be a blessing in disguise for the new owners. Sure, they are paying more per unit for electricity than for gas, but their annual maintenance costs will be practically zero, whereas gas-fired central heating incurs considerable maintenance and depreciation costs. So let's have a closer look at the subject.


Fuel prices vary across the country, and different suppliers have different charging practices (some add standing charges, and some operate a sliding tariff, with the first hundred or so units being more expensive). But roughly speaking, a standard "unit" of electric power, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) - which will heat a one-bar electric fire for an hour - costs about 7p. Off-peak electricity ("Economy 7") costs about 3.5p per kWh. Natural gas piped into the house ("town gas") costs about 2p per kWh, but gas boilers might be only 75 to 80 per cent efficient, giving a truer cost of nearer 2.5p. Heating oil and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, or "Calor Gas"), using similar boilers, currently provide heat at a rate equivalent to 4.5p and 4p per kWh respectively.

On the basis of fuel costs alone, gas, oil and LPG are cheaper than standard-rate electricity. But this does not take into account the costs of buying and installing boilers and fuel tanks, nor the annual maintenance costs, nor the fact that boilers have a finite life. The trade price for a new gas boiler is about £600, but you'll be lucky to find a gas fitter who will supply and install one for much less than £ 1,500. Big companies such as British Gas routinely charge £3,000 or more.

Old gas boilers had few moving parts and could be expected to last for 30 or 40 years, but the new ones are packed full of electronics and might last 10 years or less. So let's budget £200 per year in boiler depreciation. Then there's an annual servicing cost of at least £50 - and some readers are still paying £180 or more to British Gas for annual breakdown cover, even though this does not include a proper strip-down service. So readers who think that gas is the cheapest fuel should remember to factor in £250 to £400 per year as an extra "standing charge" when they do their calculations. (Add to that the annual landlord's gas safety certificate - £50 - and the Government's proposal that in future every home might also have to have an annual gas safety inspection.)

Electric heating, by comparison, is practically maintenance-free, and has a conversion rate of energy into heat of 100 per cent. For readers with an existing gas, oil or LPG heating system, the most economical option is probably to keep it going. But for those considering a change of fuel, or starting from scratch, there's a lot to be said for wiring-in electric panel heaters or night-storage heaters, or even simply plugging oil-filled electric radiators into the existing wall sockets.

Despite all of the opinions/evidence expressed, the sceptical tone of your posts(e.g. "not enough information given here as you imagine on the capabilities of a 'cheap' heater") suggest that you still do not believe that ANY electrical heating system from the £10 fan heater upwards will produce exactly the same amount of heat for the same running costs as your very expensive plug-in radiators.
In addition, if you think that stating you are “very very happy” with your heaters and giving the link to the firm selling them, does not constitute a recommendation, I would disagree.
To repeat, hopefully for the last time, the issue I have with you is not panel heating versus storage heating; but to advise people that if they do wish to consider panel heating, they can get the same results for a fraction of the price you paid.

Heating options here with all the electronic control zones etc.;
http://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/sub/wall_mounted_panel_heaters

JennyR68

No your reading meaning in to my words that's not there. I meant and only meant not enough attention is brought to it. I know fine well a 3kw bar fire burning for 3 hours will use the exactly the same amount of heat at the same cost as my 1.5kw heater has used in the last 24hrs. That is not the issue, it's the thermostatic control that allows the heat to be dispersed that alters the particular heaters ability to utilise it as you need it. It's fantastic if cheaper panel heaters do that I'm not disbelieving, but I can't come on here and say 'I know' how they will perform next to my system because I haven't tested it. As I said I welcome other 'users' in put.

Well done you for mentioning that article previously. And if having a pop at me brings it to others who may find the info useful attention then I suppose I can be happy at that.

I didn't want 'cheap' heating Cardew. I wanted to spend a very small legacy from my Grandad who sadly passed away last November after the nursing home ate up the bulk of his estate. Ideally a family trip to Italy would have been a great way to remember him but £1000 doesn't stretch far holiday wise in a family of 5. So seeing as his biggest grumble in life was 'draughts' and he did nothing but moan when visiting us about the inefficiency of heating we had we chose to spend it on heating. We chose a local company recommended to us, we liked the look of the heaters, we liked the size of bills friends had experienced using them, they were priced exactly right for what we had wanted to spend. End of. You will never get me to say I regret buying them, I don't, I love them. They look nice, they keep me and my family warm and the bills low. And they remind me of my Grandad.

Sorry I wasn't 'money saving' enough for your sensibilties

calebdylan

E7 is one of the regular heating device which attracts many customers it possess many advantages at affordable price and many options with huge fuel efficiency

penrhyn

Could you rephrase please?

Cardew

penrhyn wrote: »

Could you rephrase please?

I suspect English is not calebdyan's first language or Stanley Unwin has returned!

Deep Joy

Owain_Moneysaver

It is a fair point that the electronic thermostats on some of the more expensive heaters have a much smaller under/overshoot than the traditional bimetallic thermostats - as the room temp does not fall so far when the heater cycles off then it is possible to keep the room comfortable at a slightly lower average temperature (and hence cost) than ising the older type stats, where there is the temptation to have the average temp a couple of degrees higher to compensate for the cold swings.

That is a good argument for spending maybe £60 on a heater that is going to be the permanent primary heating system instead of an Argos cheapy at £25. I don't think it's an argument for spending £150+ unless you think they look really, really, really nicer.

Andy_WSM

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It is a fair point that the electronic thermostats on some of the more expensive heaters have a much smaller under/overshoot than the traditional bimetallic thermostats - as the room temp does not fall so far when the heater cycles off then it is possible to keep the room comfortable at a slightly lower average temperature (and hence cost) than ising the older type stats, where there is the temptation to have the average temp a couple of degrees higher to compensate for the cold swings.

That is a good argument for spending maybe £60 on a heater that is going to be the permanent primary heating system instead of an Argos cheapy at £25. I don't think it's an argument for spending £150+ unless you think they look really, really, really nicer.

Yes, I think that's a very fair and valid point. Having an accurate temperature control is where any saving will be seen. With bi-metallic strip thermostats the temperature range tends to be quiet wide and somewhat inaccurate, so to get a comfortable sitting temperature you might have to heat the room to 23C, knowing that it will cool back down to 19C on the off period. If you can accurately set & maintain 21C, as per Jenny's heaters, then cutting the higher temperatures should lead to a small saving in energy.

Cardew

Agreed no doubt some of the very cheapest £10 heaters might have a bi-metal strip thermostat and there could be marginal advantages in having a thermostat with smaller tolerances - that said, if you have the under/overshoot set too small the heater will be switching on and off every couple of minutes.

However for little money these days you can buy electronic timers and thermostats - even remote control. So it is possible to have the most flexible, zoned electrical heating system, whilst still buying cheap heaters.

As said above if you don't want really cheap heaters, for £50 or so it is posible to buy attractive heaters with electronic timers and thermostats. It simply is not necessary to spend £hundreds on a single heater.

thills

Most wall mounted heat sources are pretty ugly, Dimplex/Creda etc. do make reasonably elegant panel heater, glass fronted. They can be up to £300, but you are paying for the quality casing, not for any extra heat/£. I'm surprised that some of the claims/scams from some of these "magic" heater makers are not actually illegal.
I'm sure many people have learned & gained from the advice on this subject.
System control, whole house. Anyone know of a system other than Danfoss DeviLink? It's quite expensive. Zoning & control is where you really can save the KWH's

penrhyn

http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/domestic_heating/installed_heating/installed_heating_controls/4_zone_controller/index.htm

May be of interest.