Replacing storage heaters

boongywoongy

A storage heater at my rental property needs replacing according to my property management agent. Their electrician has said that the cost will be £575 which is difficult to take as I've already replaced the fridge freezer, washing machine, kitchen taps and hallway flooring this year...

My question is, are storage heaters still a good form of cheap heating in an apartment (the tenant is concerned that a convection heater will cost a lot)?

Is £575 reasonable for supply and fit of a new heater?

Thanks.

G_M

Google storage heaters and compare prices. Make sure you compare like for like (ei know what power output you've been quoted for)
Get a couple more electricians round to quote for fitting.

What alternative is there? If there's no gas, it'll have to be electric (or oil?). If the flat is set up with night-time economy electricity taht will be cheaper than a 'standard' elcetric heater: that's why storage heaters are used!

Even if there IS gas present, the cost of installing a boiler, and rads, will far exceed the replacement storage heater.

theartfullodger

boongywoongy wrote: »

...........according to my property management agent. Their electrician has said that the cost will be £575 which is difficult to take as I've already replaced the fridge freezer, washing machine, kitchen taps and hallway flooring this year...
...................

Some years you make money from lettings, some years you lose - but you knew that eh??

However, given that pattern I'd have a question mark in my head re the agent.., and thus instruct them that any further repairs I will deal with myself.. Just wondering if they are competent.

Storage rads can be expensive to buy: Is there Gas at the property?? If not it may be the cheapest option (I have 3 houses with no gas so, storage rads...)

tbs624

boongywoongy wrote: »

A storage heater at my rental property needs replacing according to my property management agent. Their electrician has said......Is £575 reasonable for supply and fit of a new heater?
.

Never use an LA's tradesmen/women unless you *absolutely* have to.

You know that you have a legal obligation to keep the heating in good working order. If you think the cost for doing so (as quoted to you by the LA) is high then seek your own quotes from two other "independent" electricians.

I don't know about the cost differentials for convectors v storage heaters but as most NSHs use cheap electricity I would have thought that your Ts concerns were justifiable. If Ts are on a tight budget they may have to choose between being able to keep warm and paying your rent on time. If the replacement heater cost difference is minimal ( bearing in mind life expectancy/reliability of heater etc) then aim to keep the T happy and replace like with like:)

There are posters who are knowledgeable about the specific of heating systems so hopefully one of them may respond.

theartfullodger

tbs624 wrote: »

Never use an LA's tradesmen/women unless you *absolutely* have to.

I hesitate to disagree with tbs but - I do use one LA's tradesmen as I've found them reliable & charges sometimes less than I could arrange.

Mind you, I do take them for lunch once a year, much to their surprise & that of any LL I mention it to.. I see the lunch as a sound investment - and anyway a chat always brings up something valuable..

In general though, I'd always be very wary of any LA until I knew their little ways....

boongywoongy

Thanks for the replies.

I agree with the concern about using LA's tradesmen. In this particular case, I had one unpleasant experience with one of their plumbers and one satisfactory instance with the guy they sent over to change the taps. Generally, I think they just send over people they've used before rather than seeking value for their customer landlords, although they do always say that I am able to send over my own contractors if I am unhappy. I am now asking for the specifics of the SH that comes with the £575 price. If it's not unreasonable, I will probably just get it done with them. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks everyone.

tbs624

theartfullodger wrote: »

I hesitate to disagree with tbs ....

Feel free anytime, Artful

Geenie

boongywoongy wrote: »

A storage heater at my rental property needs replacing according to my property management agent. Their electrician has said that the cost will be £575 which is difficult to take as I've already replaced the fridge freezer, washing machine, kitchen taps and hallway flooring this year...

My question is, are storage heaters still a good form of cheap heating in an apartment (the tenant is concerned that a convection heater will cost a lot)?

Is £575 reasonable for supply and fit of a new heater?

Thanks.

What size is this storage heater going to be, as it is difficult to answer?

We have replaced storage heaters recently with modern ones, and the cost per unit has been a lot less then you are stating, but they were not particularly large ones. I do know that it didn't take the electrician that long to change them over, as the wiring was already there. But if it is a very old one being replaced, then it may be you are also being charged for dealing with the asbestos which is inside them, and the extra work before they can be disposed off this at a tip. I would suggest you ask for details of what exactly you are getting for that price.

Our tenants don't find them too bad cost wise, as the alternative is oil where we are out in the sticks, which has become quite expensive of late.

boongywoongy

The one that needs replacing is a large one in the lounge. As the flat was built in 1995, it's not REALLY old but it does look quite large (about a 1m wide and about 25cm in depth). The wiring to the socket is there so I agree that it shouldn't really be all that difficult to replace. Awaiting details from the LA.

amboy

I have had to deal with 3 faulty storage heaters of late, I spoke to my local electrical supplier who told me only a few things went wrong with them generally.

1 Heating element approx £25 to buy
2 type thing under control panel which burns out cheaper than above

I got a good electrician to replace the elemts and so far so good.

Worth a try

boongywoongy

Ok, the LA has said the electrician is planning to install a "Sunhouse SSH 24M 3.4kw storage heater". A quick google says that I can get a new one delivered for £305, so I'd be paying £270 in labour to install the thing and remove the old one. Any thoughts on whether this is fair value?

Also, does anyone know if these can these be installed by 'normal' people or does it require a qualified electician?

Cheers.