Storage Heaters but no E7 Supply - questions!

Scozz

Hi,

First ever MSE post and would be grateful for advice. I've just moved into a flat which is all electric and has 2 storage heaters (living room and bedroom). The previous tenant had had a key meter put in by British Gas, which is due to be changed back to a billing meter on Saturday. I decided to try out the storage heating the other night while still on the key meter so I can see exactly how much it costs, but my heaters don't seem to work! I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything incorrect with the settings and I'm wondering whether the fact that the flat no longer seems to have an E7 supply (doesn't look like BG offer one?) means that supply to the storage heaters is completely cut out. Has anyone experienced this before? There is only one 'key' part although the display is digital. Could I look to getting an E7 supply reconnected once I've got a proper meter again? Anyone done this and has it been a big drama?

I've ordered a couple of electric oil radiators and luckily the flat is pretty warm generally (especially compared to the draughty Victorian house I was in before:D) so I'm also wondering whether my best option might be to forget the E7 and just use these heaters as and when I need them (they have timers).

My thinking is that:
- There are only 2 small old storage heaters in the flat anyway so I could go to all the hassle of reconnecting E7 and find they are rubbish.
- I don't get home from work until around 7 in the evening so from what I've read I'd probably want to top with with a separate radiator in any case!
- I'm having an electric shower installed and the tank seems pretty efficient so heating water overnight is not an issue.
- Most of my usage of power would be outwith the 'cheap' time as I'm not really a nightowl.

Any thoughts from wise MSErs?

Scozz

calamity-j

I'd be interested to hear what others have to say about this too. I also have storage heaters but have been looking at getting a couple of delonghi oil-filled rads. to use instead.

Currently my flat isn't too bad and i'm hoping to hold off putting the heating on till next month but i'm dreading the bills.

Scozz

Calamity-J, one of the rads I've ordered is a DeLonghi so I can report back on how good it is...

treeze

this is exactly what I want to know! Same scenario-small flat old heaters,no idea ifI'm on economy 7 and really dubious of using something that's on so much-prob a mental thing as I'm used to switching things off once I'm warm. Was wondering too about radiator or convector heater. Teresa

HalloweenJack

with E7 they heat up the bricks overnight then release the heat during the day , you can control the output to a degree with the boost or output switch (turn it to min when out and up when in)

Premier_2

Scozz wrote: »

Hi,

First ever MSE post and would be grateful for advice. I've just moved into a flat which is all electric and has 2 storage heaters (living room and bedroom). The previous tenant had had a key meter put in by British Gas, which is due to be changed back to a billing meter on Saturday. I decided to try out the storage heating the other night while still on the key meter so I can see exactly how much it costs, but my heaters don't seem to work! I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything incorrect with the settings and I'm wondering whether the fact that the flat no longer seems to have an E7 supply (doesn't look like BG offer one?) means that supply to the storage heaters is completely cut out. Has anyone experienced this before? There is only one 'key' part although the display is digital. Could I look to getting an E7 supply reconnected once I've got a proper meter again? Anyone done this and has it been a big drama?

I've ordered a couple of electric oil radiators and luckily the flat is pretty warm generally (especially compared to the draughty Victorian house I was in before:D) so I'm also wondering whether my best option might be to forget the E7 and just use these heaters as and when I need them (they have timers).

My thinking is that:
- There are only 2 small old storage heaters in the flat anyway so I could go to all the hassle of reconnecting E7 and find they are rubbish.
- I don't get home from work until around 7 in the evening so from what I've read I'd probably want to top with with a separate radiator in any case!
- I'm having an electric shower installed and the tank seems pretty efficient so heating water overnight is not an issue.
- Most of my usage of power would be outwith the 'cheap' time as I'm not really a nightowl.

Any thoughts from wise MSErs?

Scozz

Contact the Landlord.

You are paying rent for a flat with heating and it doesn't work. Get him to sort it out. It's what you pay him rent for. Simples :cool:

How come you didn't notice this when accepting the flat to rent? Surely you would have seen what kind of heating was installed. When you take the meter readings, then why didn't you ask where the second one was? :huh:

You did ensure the meters were read and notated on the agreed ingoing inventory/statement of condition didn't you? :eek: