Electric Rads or Storage Heaters

davidso

I have four electric storage heaters in my flat which are kaput. They are being taken out and I am uncertain what to replace them with. My partner and I are out at work in the daytime during the working week and I have heard (from Dealec) that with intelligent programming electric radiators can compete with storage heaters in terms of bill payments. Is this correct?

If this is true, can anyone recommend from experience a sturdy, looks-a-bit-like-hot-water-radiator electric radiator system? There are plenty of rinky-dink looking systems out there; who make the best?

Reading through previous threads I understand that this can be a contentious subject. I'd love to hear all your advice but please bear in mind these caveats.

- I cannot have anything other than electric heating.
- I cannot have a heat exchanger.
- My only options are electric rad or storage heater.
- They must be wall-mounted.
- I cannot install any of the hybrid storage models (dimplex duoheat/Creda Eco response)
- I do not want anything that looks like a heater you'd find in a portakabin or office. If I'm getting an electric rad I want it to look similar to a hot water rad.
- I am not looking for the very cheapest outlay option. I am happy to consider a heater that costs in the initial outlay something in the ballpark of a storage heater. (£300-400 each)
- I understand that 1kw energy gives 1kw heat regardless of the price of the radiator.

debbieblueeyes

Hi, we have storage heaters and they are rubbish were in the same boat,trying to figure out what to replace them with but we have a 3 bed maisonnette(council),ive heard panel heaters are really good but also quite expensive, we would love gas central heating but we havnt got 3/4 grand in the bank and the council wont help. Anyway good luck on your search and ill repost if i do find anything:)

jalexa

davidso wrote: »

I do not want anything that looks like a heater you'd find in a portakabin or office. If I'm getting an electric rad I want it to look similar to a hot water rad.

Some ideas in the designer radiator section of this electrical wholesaler (which I have no connection with)...

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Heating_Index/index.html

davidso

Thanks Jalexa, I've been around a lot of these retail sites. There are indeed lots of electric rads out there that look like HW rads. But which systems can compete - according to my needs - with storage heaters?

penrhyn

Storage heater use cheap rate electricity, assuming you are on an E7 or similar tariff.
Modern ones are far more controllable than older ones.
Panel heaters or any other kind that you use during the day/evening with use day rate electricity and cost you more to run.
If you are not bothered about running costs there are many wall mounted heaters on the market. I'd start by looking at Dimplex or Creda.

Richie-from-the-Boro

davidso,

- given your list of subject areas not for debate, your question """is this correct?""" is no !
- unless your dwelling already has a high insulation efficiency, panel can not compete with storage
- new builds SAP's are 75-100+, builds older than 10 or more years will at best be around 40-50
- I wouldn't want panel on a dwelling of less than Energy Performance Certificate Band D or above
- the difference between band G & D is more than £500 per year off the energy bills
- band D or above would work well with any panel system

___________________________

NOTE : Not for davidso .. .. because this area is """not for debate""" .. .. but for others reading this thread .. .. a 'duoheat' is absolutely the same as any storage radiator you might wish to buy as a replacement for your existing. At its fundamental level is both a storage & panel rad in one box, it has both 13a & 20a cables, the 13a merely switches an element on demand at peak rate times, and can be used in the summer months when the storage side is completely switched off. I personally can think of no reason whatsoever to consider this option as part of the mix.

davidso

Thanks Richie-from-the-Boro, my flat is a Victorian mansion block renovated by Barratts back in the mid-80's. From what I've seen of the inside of the walls it is not well insulated.

Richie-from-the-Boro, is there any latitude for electric radiators being able to compete if they are controlled/programmed efficiently?

Cardew

'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'!

You are certain that wall-hung heaters that look like 'radiators' is what you want, and as you appreciate that all non-storage heaters give the same heat output for the same cost, then it is simply a case of deciding which you find aesthetically appealing.

It is very easy to purchase timers and programmers(even remote) to control to your requirements.

davidso

Thanks Cardew; yes I am willing to pay more for electric radiators that hang on walls and don't look like ones you'd find in a factory.

Bearing in mind my out-of-the-house-for-most-of-the-day lifestyle is there any way electric radiators are able to compete with storage heaters if they are controlled/programmed efficiently?

Richie-from-the-Boro

davidso wrote: »

Thanks Richie-from-the-Boro, my flat is a Victorian mansion block renovated by Barratts back in the mid-80's. From what I've seen of the inside of the walls it is not well insulated.

Richie-from-the-Boro, is there any latitude for electric radiators being able to compete if they are controlled/programmed efficiently?

- I gathered you were grade listed, or similar restrictions from your first post
- any .. .. panel or storage, should only ever be on internal only walls regardless
- modern storage rads use a considerably higher [Micro/nano] spec insulator compared to old ones

Different people have different opinions davidso, mine is the most sophisticated control in the world cant improve the economic efficiency of anything, only improved insulation can do that. It can certainly improve the 'felt comfort' levels.

Yes you can get 'fusion' products that are essentially E10 not E7 tariff electric hot water & wet radiator systems that fit into a cupboard and supply heat & water needs.

Look if you were my family and asked for a cut~to~the chase opinion, I'd say :

- panel in bedrooms & bathrooms
- storage in hall and DuoHeat in the living area
- storage or panel in kitchen and dining room [size and use dependant]
- with integrated full control of all units via the mains carrier

If you want, and can afford the luxury go E10 tariff with the above setup. Simply changing your old four for a new four will save 10-20% like with like because they leak less. That's 20% less cost or re-invest the 20% into 20% more heat .. .. same cost as previously, but 20% warmer. Changing 3 of your old 4 like with like and making the living room Duo is a much more sensible way to do it.

Cardew

davidso wrote: »

Thanks Cardew; yes I am willing to pay more for electric radiators that hang on walls and don't look like ones you'd find in a factory.

Bearing in mind my out-of-the-house-for-most-of-the-day lifestyle is there any way electric radiators are able to compete with storage heaters if they are controlled/programmed efficiently?

The main, and valid, arguments against storage heaters are that on an Economy 7 tariff you pay a premium for the 17 hours 'daytime' electricity, and that storage heaters tend to leak heat during the day and run out of heat in the evening.

The(valid) arguments in favour of storage heaters are that any leaked heat is not wasted as it warms the fabric of the house - the house acts as a big heat sink. Also you get hot water heated at off-peak rates all year round; and can use appliances overnight on a timer.

I suspect for most people - not all- Storage heating would be cheaper, but non-storage heating is way more convenient to operate.