Can you use a normal socket for a storage heater?

Pennywise

I've got a couple of Dimplex DA82 storage heaters.

They are currently hard wired into a separate "night" circuit which automatically gets switched on overnight. I have no control over the start and finish times. This is a pain because they come on far too early (before midnight) and turn off too early (before 6am). At breakfast time, the house is too hot but I can't turn them down because the house cools down too quickly by lunchtime, leaving it cold for the afternoon and evening.

I'm wondering whether I can simply have a plug fitted to the wires so that I can control them myself by a socket switch and/or a plug in timer. Obviously, I'd have the job done by an electrician, but rather than wasting time getting them to come and quote, I thought I'd just check whether it's feasible or whether they take too much power for a normal ring main.

penrhyn

No they must be hardwired. Sounds to me if there is something wrong with your Economy 7 timings, am I correct in thinking its a mechanical clock? This also switches the meter to record the cheap rate consumption.
If so it should be replaced with a radio teleswitch. IIRC Normal E7 hours are between 1 am and 8 am although this will vary.

HappyMJ

Bad idea...you would be better cleaning out the heater (maybe the output damper has dust in it and won't close completely) turning the output to zero so the heater emits little heat in the morning. If you want to you could switch off the heater completely and use a portable electric convector heater (sparingly)....but again that can be a bad idea in a property with E7 heating as it is much more expensive than a property without E7 heating. If you use it only for up to about 2 hours a day then it's cheaper than loading up the storage heater with heat.

ic

If you use your storage heaters outside the night time rate, then you'll wind up with a huge electric bill - generally the day rate is three times the cost of the night rate. The day rate is also more expensive than a standard (none-economy 7) rate.

penrhyn

Those storage heaters are the same as I replaced in my old flat about 15 years ago, they were old then.
They really could do with replacing with a more modern unit, or rethink your heating strategy.

macman

What would be the point of powering a storage heater on a non-E7 tariff or circuit?

maninthestreet

macman wrote: »

What would be the point of powering a storage heater on a non-E7 tariff or circuit?

Indeed - the OP is better of buying some electric heaters.