sorry storage heater ?

luvchocolate

I have been using storage heaters in a rented property without instructions and only recently read all the threads on here so..... a silly question but I don't know the answer, if I turn the boost control up from no 1 does this cost anything? I have always left it at 1 but change the input depending on the weather, please don't shoot me down. thank you

rogerblack

The boost control provides immediate heat, using peak-time electricity.
(If you're outside the cheap-rate period)

luvchocolate

Thanks for that.....will stick to the fleece then!!!!:j

penrhyn

On a normal storage heater the output, or boost control operates a mechanical flap inside the heater using a bimetal device. When it opens 'boost' more heat is released from the core of the heater. The time this happens depends on the setting and needs some experimentation.
The previous poster is referring to a combination storage heater which can use day rate electricity.
Do you know the make and model of yours?

john1

Assuming you have a standard heater with one cable connection only and two dials on labelled charge and the other boost


The boost control on the heater it opens a vent in the heater to allow more warm air escape from the heater which has already been stored ( and paid for). If the boost control is a switch or on the meter external to the heater then you will be charged at peak rate.

luvchocolate

Its a dimplex about 20yr old I guess, I lead to the mains on/off switch, a control on front with input control 1 to 5 and boost contro 1 to 5. I allter the input to store heat depending on weather thats fine but I have always left boost at 1 incase it costs money, I just turned it up now and could see thro the vents something opening. thank you for your help....:beer:

penrhyn

These instructions may not apply to your model but should still be relevant.

http://www.dimplex.co.uk/assets/kb/operating_instructions/0/XLN_XLSN_GDC_Operating_Instructions_Issue_1.pdf

john1

Hope it helps keep warm but remember to return boost back to one when you go out/bed otherwise you will have a super heated room in the morning and no heat left for evening !!!

luvchocolate

Thank you so much for that just read it through and it all makes sense now!! They are more flexible than I thought, but the same as everyone very concerned about energy bills.....thanks again

luvchocolate

Thanks again guys x

grahamc2003

luvchocolate wrote: »

I have been using storage heaters in a rented property without instructions and only recently read all the threads on here so..... a silly question but I don't know the answer, if I turn the boost control up from no 1 does this cost anything? I have always left it at 1 but change the input depending on the weather, please don't shoot me down. thank you

It will cost you a bit, since the heater will have to put in more heat the next night.

But it's the most effective way of using the storage heater. Ideally, for the cheapest cost for a comfortable temperature, you want to completely deplete all the heat at the end of the evening and the room temperature as low as you feel comfortable. If you have heat leftover, then turn the input down a little for the next night (assuming the weather isn't going to turn colder).

So ideally, for cheapest cost, the cycle should be

- last thing at night - room temp the minimum you can stand, no heat left in SH, set output (or boost) to zero
- next day, when the room temp drops below comfortable, then turn boost up to get room comfortable
- a couple of hours before bed, the output boost should be max, and the room comfortable
- last thing set boost to zero, and adjust input - if too cold, increase a little, if too warm or boost not set to max, then set it down a little. Then adjust again for the weather the next day compared to the current day.

If you don't mind the extra cost, you can just set the input to max all through the winter, then just use the boost to adjust the room temperature.