Storage Heating

pevil1

Hi All, new to forum so be gentle please, have a question concerning storage heaters and electric usage, some background first, been using storage heaters for well over 30 years, 29 years in this bungalow, have changed from the old bulky units to slimline over those years, have noticed this past 3 to 4 years that I've been using more electricity particularly during winter months but the bungalow does not seem to be as warm, could be me getting older but don't think so lol. I know we've had some cold winters also but again heaters have struggled to keep the place warm, nothing has changed with the property apart from having the meter moved into a cupboard about 15 years ago (new meter and supply cable) going back 6 or 8 years I can remember the supply cable getting warm when heaters were on but now it doesn't, all heaters are working fine it would seem and yet rooms don't feel as warm, it's as if they're not reaching charge as quick as they used to and therefore heating the rooms as much, is this possible and why, sounds daft but it's as if the power coming into the property isn't giving me as much heat as it did before??? could do with some help. Thanks. Peter. PS. I'm running 12.75 kw of heaters.

chopps

AFAIK electric heating is a constant ie. 3kW fan heater produces same amount of heat energy as a 3kW radiant heater as 3kW storage heater. the only differences are in a fan heater or fan assisted oil filled radiator, the fan helps distribute the heat rather than just relying on convection currents and radiation.

For a storage heater (assuming it's not got a faulty heat setting switch etc.) the only other variable would be the blocks used to retain and slowly dissipate the heat during the day. So unless it's got a fault or the blocks are no longer so effective it must be due to something else changing in the environment.

macman

Have you changed the input or output settings?

Richie-from-the-Boro

A single biggest 3.4 kw storage heater should hold a maximum charge of 23.8 kW over the 7 hours charge period. The question is, is it getting the full 7 hours @ the full maximum input - or - is it getting the full 7 hours @ less that maximum input because :

- clocks / meter wrong
- input stat is kaput

Wywth

pevil1 wrote: »

Hi All, new to forum so be gentle please, have a question concerning storage heaters and electric usage, some background first, been using storage heaters for well over 30 years, 29 years in this bungalow, have changed from the old bulky units to slimline over those years, have noticed this past 3 to 4 years that I've been using more electricity particularly during winter months but the bungalow does not seem to be as warm, could be me getting older but don't think so lol. I know we've had some cold winters also but again heaters have struggled to keep the place warm, nothing has changed with the property apart from having the meter moved into a cupboard about 15 years ago (new meter and supply cable) going back 6 or 8 years I can remember the supply cable getting warm when heaters were on but now it doesn't, all heaters are working fine it would seem and yet rooms don't feel as warm, it's as if they're not reaching charge as quick as they used to and therefore heating the rooms as much, is this possible and why, sounds daft but it's as if the power coming into the property isn't giving me as much heat as it did before??? could do with some help. Thanks. Peter. PS. I'm running 12.75 kw of heaters.

Probably to do with your age.

People do tend to feel the cold more as they get old.

It's also been particularly cold the last week or so ... but it's warming up today

michty6

How old are the heaters? Are they the newer 'automatic charge' type?