Storage heating

smileytiger

Our house has storage heaters - i've been in it 16 years - and whilst they're not the nicest things to look at ( have had them disguised with nice wooden covers over the years) - they're also not the cheapest - but as i'm on the tariff that was pre economy7 (it doesn't actually exist anymore;))- its' not too bad. I haven't switched supplier as no one else can do it as cheap as i'm on now.
I pay £95 a month (3 bed semi)- but that's for everything as we're all electric as there is no gas main on our estate.

When we move don't think i'd want them again - but you never know. I think if the OP has the option to fit gas that's probably the best option as storage heaters are off putting to some people.

SuzieSue

smileytiger wrote: »

When we move don't think i'd want them again - but you never know. I think if the OP has the option to fit gas that's probably the best option as storage heaters are off putting to some people.

I would go as far as to say that they are off putting to the the majority of people.

savageHK

We had storage heating + economy 7 in a flat we rented out for almost 3 years, and they were great. I think it probably depends on the insulation - the flat was fairly new and insulation good. Also, we had a flat both above and below us so you gain from the people above/below heating their space. Immersion heater for the hot water was also good, it didn't take much electricity and provided it's well insulated it keeps hot all day. If you have guests over or need more hot water the override kicks in quickly. Given the option I'd take storage heating over a boiler - much less to go wrong with it as well. Clearly judging from the other views on this thread I'm in the minority though!

SuzieSue

savagehoutkop wrote: »

Also, we had a flat both above and below us so you gain from the people above/below heating their space.

I think that is a good point. If you have occupied flats above and below you, then storage heaters will probably be fine as you won't need much heating.

rentergirl

Storage heaters do mean you have to plan ahead, but turn them right down during the day, and they keep cold flats in chilly areas very warm with background heat, but are really expensive. Gas is getting expensive. Despite the cost, I miss having them.

sariebeth

I have had a fair few properties with storage heaters and have found them to be almost as good and economical as GCH - it's just about forward planning. Download a guide on how to use them and it shouldn't be too hard to get your head around using them.

SternMusik

Storage heaters are awful! I have rented several properties with them in (sometimes entire areas seem to be off the gas grid, even in cities), including the one bed flat I currently live in. The problems with storage heaters have been mentioned on this thread - they run out of heat at the end of the day, so that when you come back home in the evening you have to switch on extra heaters, at daytime electricity rates.

Also there is no way to turn them down if you left them on too high a setting but the day turns out to be quite warm - they will just chuck out the heat regardless.

Rooms that don't have storage heaters in them (such as bathrooms, kitchens and sometimes bedrooms) have to be heated with convection heaters, again at expensive daytime rates.

When you return from a holiday during the winter the place is likely to be freezing (unless you want to keep them on a high setting while you are away), and there is no way to get it warm until the next day. (There will be no hot water either.)

I would never buy a property which doesn't have central heating. It is a quality of life thing, really.

(Off topic: my other pet hate are seperate hot and cold taps. Why?? What are they for? Don't people like *warm* water? :huh: )

smileytiger

SternMusik wrote: »

Rooms that don't have storage heaters in them (such as bathrooms, kitchens and sometimes bedrooms) have to be heated with convection heaters, again at expensive daytime rates.

When you return from a holiday during the winter the place is likely to be freezing (unless you want to keep them on a high setting while you are away), and there is no way to get it warm until the next day. (There will be no hot water either.)

(Off topic: my other pet hate are seperate hot and cold taps. Why?? What are they for? Don't people like *warm* water? :huh: )

All my rooms (except bathroom) have storage heaters - so i've never had the problem of convector heaters. Not sure i understand the no hot water bit though as my hot water works independently of the heating & i also have a 20 minute immersion heater if i don't want to leave the constant hot water on if we're away. :huh:

Loving the comment about the taps - made me laugh

SternMusik

smileytiger wrote: »

All my rooms (except bathroom) have storage heaters

This is also the case in my current place. However in the flat I rented before that (a 2 bed duplex), there were only two storage heaters, one in the lounge and one in the hallway. None of the upstairs was heated at all, neither were kitchen or bathroom (downstairs). Brrrrr...

smileytiger wrote: »

Not sure i understand the no hot water bit though as my hot water works independently of the heating & i also have a 20 minute immersion heater if i don't want to leave the constant hot water on if we're away. :huh:

Twenty minute immersion heater? Here it is more like two hours. Imagine boiling a kettle for two hours on daytime electricity rates.... In my current place it is even worse - the water tank isn't hooked up to a timer. If I want to avoid paying through the nose for hot water, I have to stay up until after 12:30 am to switch it on manually....

I am really looking forward to getting the keys to my own place tomorrow (which has gas central heating, obviously)

dizziblonde

I'm another one that ruled out places to buy that had them in - bad experience renting places with them in in the past.