Money Saving query

sanatogen

I have to ask this, but not sure if it's legal or not.

I've known for ages that my nighttime usage is 20% cost of the daytime usage, but only began paying that fact more attention.

I was wondering if it's possible (and legal) to install kit that can simply store energy drained during the night, to be used during the day?

masonic

sanatogen wrote:

I was wondering if it's possible (and legal) to install kit that can simply store energy drained during the night, to be used during the day?

Yes, it is legal and possible. They're known as night storage heaters.

sanatogen

I had to ask.

I've got 3 nighttime storage heaters, which are rarely used cos they're not very good.

But I was thinking that I could have installed a rechargeable battery that could be used during the day by the whole house?

Graham1

No, it wouldn't work. You'd need a whole room full of batteries for even a few Kwh of power storage, or a very expensive system like a fuel cell.

Cardew

Without getting too technical the answer is no.

Whilst it is technically feasible, the issues of safety and cost make it a complete non starter for a household.

There have been projects to have battery driven town cars(not the hybrids like the Toyota Prius) with their Battery packs charged overnight but these are very expensive and have a very limited range.

sanatogen

So something like this wouldnt work? I might need 3 working in parallel instead of one though.

http://www.onboardenergy.co.uk/acatalog/Combined_Inverter_Charger_with_Power_Assist.html

anniecave

why don't you phone up your electricity supplier and ask about changing your E7 meter for a single rate meter? They may charge you, but if you work it out over a few months costs (especially as we are due to head into winter) you will probably save yourself money....

sanatogen

Annie: Thanks for the tip. I should have checked this out with you folks much earlier and saved myself a few bob.

I've just phoned them up and this will be arranged. They said they could install a new meter (£45) or make a change at their end (£15)

I opter for the latter. I'll check the October invoice to see how it's worked out.