Stick with Storage Heaters on E7/E10 or replace with Electric heaters on std tariff?

Pinseeker

Hi, I'm a first time poster on MSE.

Having trawled through several threads and read through a lot of really good advice (thanks), I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I've recently bought a 2 bed flat that has no gas, only electric. It has a total of 6 (20 yr old Creda) storage heaters (2 in Lounge, 1 in Kitchen/diner and 1 each in hall & 2 bedrooms) and an immersion water heater which all run on Economy 7.

My options are as follows:
1. Stay on E7 (or E10) tariff but replace the current storage heaters with newer, modern, energy efficient storage heaters with better controls.
2. Rewire the fuseboard (to convert the E7 wiring to mains), and switch to a standard 24hr tariff and install new electric radiators (ceramic or gel filled) with thermostat / timers etc.

My wife works from home so, in addition to heat & hot water, she will be using various appliances. We've always lived in a GCH house and have never experienced electric heating (storage or otherwise), so all this is new to us. The flat is on the top floor and does NOT have double glazing.

On various MSE threads, the overnight storage heaters on E7 have been slated for running out of heat by early evening and not being able to provide any heat on demand. Is this still true for the newer, modern models? Is the concept of 'storage heaters' outdated? Are E7 / E10 tariffs a 'false economy' given that the storage heaters are not used much in the summer months?

While at the same time, 'electric heating' has been labelled as the 'most expensive type of heating', and the models supplied by companies like IntelliHeat and Economy-Radiators have been dismissed as being overly expensive. So what is the 'future of heating' for people like me who have no gas (and I cannot go for solar panels as it is a listed building).

Would really appreciate any guidance on which option would be best for my situation?

irnbru_2

Pinseeker wrote: »

. So what is the 'future of heating' for people like me who have no gas (and I cannot go for solar panels as it is a listed building).

How far is the nearest Gas main?

What about heating oil?

Top floor flat - is there an insulated loft above?

If it's listed, speak to the local authority and ask them what you can and can't do w.r.t. insulation.

I'd buy an oil-filled radiator to top up the heat in the evening.

Swipe

You have another option (the cheapest one), stick with what you have and try it. The current storage heaters may be adequate for your requirements. Why not try a few weeks of cold weather with them and see how you get on?

HappyMJ

Pinseeker wrote: »

Hi, I'm a first time poster on MSE.

Having trawled through several threads and read through a lot of really good advice (thanks), I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I've recently bought a 2 bed flat that has no gas, only electric. It has a total of 6 (20 yr old Creda) storage heaters (2 in Lounge, 1 in Kitchen/diner and 1 each in hall & 2 bedrooms) and an immersion water heater which all run on Economy 7.

My options are as follows:
1. Stay on E7 (or E10) tariff but replace the current storage heaters with newer, modern, energy efficient storage heaters with better controls.
2. Rewire the fuseboard (to convert the E7 wiring to mains), and switch to a standard 24hr tariff and install new electric radiators (ceramic or gel filled) with thermostat / timers etc.

My wife works from home so, in addition to heat & hot water, she will be using various appliances. We've always lived in a GCH house and have never experienced electric heating (storage or otherwise), so all this is new to us. The flat is on the top floor and does NOT have double glazing.

On various MSE threads, the overnight storage heaters on E7 have been slated for running out of heat by early evening and not being able to provide any heat on demand. Is this still true for the newer, modern models? Is the concept of 'storage heaters' outdated? Are E7 / E10 tariffs a 'false economy' given that the storage heaters are not used much in the summer months?

While at the same time, 'electric heating' has been labelled as the 'most expensive type of heating', and the models supplied by companies like IntelliHeat and Economy-Radiators have been dismissed as being overly expensive. So what is the 'future of heating' for people like me who have no gas (and I cannot go for solar panels as it is a listed building).

Would really appreciate any guidance on which option would be best for my situation?

I agree with the last poster why change anything. A storage heater replacement will improve the usefulness of the heat and save you about 10%. For the cost of replacing 6 of them it just isn't worth it. Learn how to use storage heating effectively and it can be quite cheap. I would not use the bedroom or the hall ones at all a convector heater timed to come on during the E7 hours (turning off at about 7am) will be fine and also by using an electric blanket at night.

Start by putting the input on maximum and the output on minimum and see how you go. Changing the input down will save you a little on the bills but if you run out of heat in the evening you need to use peak rate electricity which defeats the purpose. If you have bought this flat then think about installing secondary glazing if they won't allow double glazing.

Your wife works from home so I think this set up is perfect for you. It is more expensive than gas but not by much. Night rate electric is about 5p and gas is about 4p but also has standing charges which you don't have to pay.

jalexa

Pinseeker wrote: »

...I've recently bought a 2 bed flat...

What recommendations does the Energy Performance Certificate make?