Most cost effective heating?

lennym

Hi

Wondered if anyone could help. I've just moved into a flat which only has storage heaters. These are on full power with a boost in the evening but the flat is still freezing!!

I was advised that halogen heaters are the best option to provide additional heat, however today have now been told that oil radiator heaters are alot more cost effective.

Can anyone offer any advice??

Thanks

HappyMJ

If you are worried about cost then you are on the wrong tariff. What do you pay for electricity? A convector heater in the evening would be the cheapest and most cost effective way of heating a home without gas. An oil radiator whilst giving a high quality heat stilll costs the same to run but the capital cost of the unit makes it more expensive.

Vibrant

Storage heaters work best in a very well insulated home, but even then you will need some other form of heating in the evening.
If you are at work all day, it may pay not to use the storage heaters at all, as the heat from surrounding flats should prevent pipes freezing etc. And using a convector heater when you got home, would be a cheaper and warmer solution. But you would need to change from the economy 7 tariff, which is expensive for day time use.
Which type of electric heater is best, is very much a personal preference, they all deliver the heat in different ways. Personally I like the oil filled radiators and old fashioned bar heaters are good. Halogens are warm, but too bright for me. Convectors are quicker to heat up than oil filled rads, but the heat level fluctuates more. Fan heaters swirl the air about and it gets cold very quickly when they turn off.
Try borrowing the various types from friends/colleagues (everyone seems to have some lying about) and you can see which you prefer.

lennym

Thanks for your reply. I am on economy 7. I believe I have an convector heating in the bedrom which is on a timer, but I need a some heating for the living room and for one of my other bedrooms. I was advised that I should possibly invest in some halogen heaters but have now been advised that these are not my cheapest option!

andyrpsmith

For the bedroom I have found the larger oil filled radiator the best alternative to the very frustrating storage heater (uses more electric than I want and not as controllable). My Delonghi Rapido is on a timer and controlled by a thermostat, comes on at 6am and off at 8am, on at 9pm and off at 12am. perfect. Works best with both elements on (2.5KW) and thermostat on 3 costs 11p per hour (measured by consumption meter) ie it's running at just over 1KW per hour. Small oil filled radiators do not work as well as you need a decent amount of oil to take up the heat and allow reasonable intervals between thermostat trips. On current set up it is on for 9mins and off for 13mins. The heat loss of the room, level of warmth and how long you have it on determine the overall running cost at any set power level.

macman

All electric heating is 100% efficient so it makes absolutely no difference. If you want instant heat a fan heater will be quickest, an oil filled rad will retain heat for a while but take longer to warm up. But if you run any electric heater on-peak with E7 then it's going to cost you dear. Mixing storage and non-storage is not cost effective.