How to work a storage heater cheaply.

SCowley88

Hi

I have just moved in to my first flat and the landlord has storage heaters installed.
My fault for not realising really but the scrum for affordable housing in London is such that you can't take a second look.
So we're stuck with them.

Problem is I don't understand how they work - should I switch them off at the wall during the Summer when I won't be using them?
If I have the input set to 1 or 2 will that be enough to heat the house for a couple of hours in the evening (which is all we're in) and then turn it up on Fridays so we have more heat for the weekend.
Also if I don't turn the output on at all in the evening but input has been on am I wasting energy that charged the day before?

It's all very confusing and sadly our landlord is useless, hasn't left any manuals or anything.
I also don't know if we're on Economy 7- how do I find out before the first bill arrives? Are all storage heaters on this tariff and if we're not is it going to be impossible to get on it (is there extra equipment required).

Thanks in advance

john1

This may help



http://youtu.be/bXrbk-cPWG0

jacquibaby

Problem is I don't understand how they work - should I switch them off at the wall during the Summer when I won't be using them? YES! Or else they will heat up at night and you will boil all day.


If I have the input set to 1 or 2 will that be enough to heat the house for a couple of hours in the evening (which is all we're in) and then turn it up on Fridays so we have more heat for the weekend.
-maybe, you can boost it when you get home for the evening, you may need more than 1 or 2 though.


Also if I don't turn the output on at all in the evening but input has been on am I wasting energy that charged the day before? - They need to be on to heat up at night. The heat starts once the bricks inside get hot, so by morning they should be getting hot. problem is that my heaters are usually cooling down by evening and the boost buttons are supposed to make a difference but I haven't found a big difference. Bottom line is, turn them on at night if you want heat next day. In fact, as they only heat up at night then they need to be on all winter, they won't use electric at all during the day, the heat is only built up at night.

It's all very confusing and sadly our landlord is useless, hasn't left any manuals or anything.
I also don't know if we're on Economy 7- how do I find out before the first bill arrives? - look at your meter. There will be a button to press to look at the cycle and possibly a sticker on the meter explaining what cycle is night and which is day. Or phone the provider!

Are all storage heaters on this tariff and if we're not is it going to be impossible to get on it (is there extra equipment required). As far as I know, they are all on it. Not sure about getting on it for a new customer. Is you water heated in a big tank at night too?