I fitted a Dimplex Quantum heater!

Jaggeroooh

Okay,

I had been looking for some time for a heating system to compliment an electric underfloor heating system on economy 7 in the flat I have just moved into. I had done a bit of research on this site and elsewhere but could see any user experiences of the Dimplex Quantum heater. Originally I wanted two of these fitting (in lounge and study) but have decided to fit only one (in the study) and see how I get on before ordering a second.

Costs

- £590 (inc Vat) plus £125 to fit - Not cheap I grant you, but if it saves me using peak supply elec I reckon that might pay for itself in 4 - 5 years (if not quicker).

Fitting

I found an ex North West Electricity board electrician who used to fit old fashioned storgae heaters for a living. He was upfront and stated he had never fitted a Quantum before but was keen to give it a go. I went for the QM100 mdel for a mid sized room (with high ceilings).

The pack is big (similar sized to a large plasma TV) (not including bricks). The heater itself weighs 35kg, not including bricks.

It took the fitter about 2.5 hours to fit, but he said he was taking his time and following the instructions to letter. It required an extra on peak spur to be put in as well as the off peak supply. The control units run from the on peak power supply so it is not possible to run them from the off peak power only.

Looks

Much better than i expected. The QM 100 is approx 820mm wide and the rest of the dimensions (Height and Depth are standard for all Quantums at H 700 and D 180). The look of the unit is good. Its still a storage heater, but a good looking one. It doesn't look out of place in my church conversion flat. Its is a white coulour (not cream / beige) it actually quite striking. It has two wires coming from it (both on same side). The two feet sit on top of the carpet, but carpet could be easily cut around it. I'll try and add a picture of two if possible later.

Controls

They look great. The colour changing temp display is a nice touch of quality. It took me about 15 mins to work my way around the controls. Setting the timers, and changing the set profiles, but overall its pretty straightforward.

Operation

So far the heater has been in 3 days (2 nights). I set it to come on Sunday morning and was pleased that it did with no problems. There was a slight smell from the heater but not an unpleasant one, rather like a smell of baking bread. I imagine this will disapear after a few uses.

I particualrly wanted to test out the heaters claims of retaining 'up 60% of its heat for 24 hours' as with my E7 tariff, I want to store the heat until the evening for use. Tonight I have set the heater to come on at night (18.00 to 20.00) and I will see how warm it is.

The heater has a slight noise (from the fan ) in operation but it is not intrusive, but is notiacble (i.e. you can hear it is on).

Its hard to tell if the heater is using stored supply or the 'boost element', but this might just be because I haven't figured it out yet.

Initial Thoughts

I am pleased with the heater, I like the look and the ease of operation. If It holds its heat as long as it claims it means that I should never need to use peak supply for any heating needs. I will keep you posted on developments and would like to hear any other experiences.

Conclusion

So far, so good! Looks better than I thought (and lots better than old storage heaters. Control are nice, simple and good looking. Heater works well. Its not cold enough to properly test yet and I will have not 'control' costs to test against so I can only speak from my own initial thoughts.

Jaggeroooh

So I mentioned I would post some pictures of the new quantum heater if I can so here you are;

Heater came on as promised at 18.00, heated the room up and then turned itself off, all on the charge from last night. Looking good!

Oh, it seems I'm not allowed to post pics in case I'm a spammer, shame. it looks good!

shegar

WOW...£715 for one heater .....................:eek::eek:

Jaggeroooh

shegar wrote: »

WOW...£715 for one heater .....................:eek::eek:

Yeah, its alot. But as I said, if this means I don't have to use the underfloor heating on the peak rate electricity (anytime after 7.30 / 8.30 depending on Daylight saving) then I think they each heater installed would pay for itself in about 5 years (although I will have to see in time).

A cheaper old fashioned storage heater would not provide me with the controllability (i.e. hot when I want it to be in the evenings) that I want.

lstar337

Jaggeroooh wrote: »

Its hard to tell if the heater is using stored supply or the 'boost element', but this might just be because I haven't figured it out yet.

I think the boost element is only ever active in a certain mode. I think its advance mode.

I'm pretty sure I read that it won't just go on and off willy nilly.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Could you put your photo's on imageshack and drop the links in?

Jaggeroooh

lstar337 wrote: »

Could you put your photo's on imageshack and drop the links in?

Thanks for the reply. I know the boost element will only come on when there is no heat stored within the heater but thought that it would automatically come on if the thermostat is turned up unexpectedly and no heat is stored?

Originally I wanted this heater to be fully manual (i.e. to provide heat when I asked it to), but once I thought about how the system works I realised it wasn't possible to operate it that way. The Quantum needs to plan how much charge to take based on what heating plan you require for the next day. Using it entirely manually would result on relying on the boost element at the peak rate too often.

One slight issue this morning with the heater is getting it to turn off entirely. I set it last night on 'holiday' mode (7 degrees for 7 days) but I could tell the heater had still taken a charge overnight). I was expecting the heater to be cold to the touch this morning as it did not need a charge to maintain such a cold temp.

There is always the old fashioned way of making sure it doesn't take a charge when not required the next day, and that is to switch both off peak and peak supplies off at the wall! So its not a major issue either way.

I've sent the question to Dimplex to ask if they can advise where I am going wrong.

Will try and post pictures to imageshack later tonight.

Jaggeroooh

Hi,

Unfortunately as I am a newbie I am not allowed to make posts with links. The pictures are uploaded on imageshack but I can't share the link with you. :-( Not sure how to rectify. Other than write more posts!

Does anyone know when you are allowed to post links? Or can an more experienced user post the link to the photos for me?

Jaggeroooh

I mentioned previously that I emailed Dimplex to ask why when I set the heater on the 'holiday' mode (to maintain 7 degrees C for 7 days) was still taking a charge (room temperature at the moment varies between 18 and 23 degrees so should be no need for heater to take any charge at all).

The response from Dimplex customer services is as follows;

'You can set the heater to Holiday mode and set the thermostat to 7 degrees, and the maximum number of days, however if the heater is still taking a charge you can turn BOTH switches off at the wall during the summer months.'


Which I had already worked out for myself, however it doesn't explain WHY the heater was taking a charge when it didn't need to? I have emailed back asking this question and specifically asked to get a response from the technical department.

I also mentioned I was writing about my experiences on MSE to try and focus some minds :cool:

Still not overcome the 'newbie unable to post pictures' problem.

lstar337

Jaggeroooh wrote: »

WHY the heater was taking a charge when it didn't need to? I have emailed back asking this question and specifically asked to get a response from the technical department.

I also mentioned I was writing about my experiences on MSE to try and focus some minds :cool:

Still not overcome the 'newbie unable to post pictures' problem.

My guess, is that because it does weather (temperature) tracking and creates a profile for your heating habits, that it hasn't had enough time to collect enough data to work out how much/little charge it has to take, and is working on the safe side until it does.

The pitfalls of a 'smart' system.

Maybe after some 'monitoring' time, it would work out it doesn't need a charge. Or maybe, it will always take a charge (regardless of temperature), to make sure it always has some in hand.

I would just turn it off until needed.

Jaggeroooh

Thanks Lstar,

I think that is possible although Dimplex now seem to suggest otherwise, second response copied below; (note my bolds).

I have responded and will see what I get back. If it is faulty that is slightly annoying, but quick rectification of a fault would still satisfy me. Time will tell!

'
Thank you for your email regarding your QM100 Quantum Heater that you have installed in your study.

I have discussed your problem with our Technical Team & they have advised me that the heater may have a fault. The heater should not take a charge when in ‘Holiday Mode’ unless the room temperature falls below 7 degrees, unless of course the sensor may be detecting a draft. I have therefore been asked if you can provide me with the following details so that we can pass this information to our Service Agents to arrange a call out.

· What is the Series Letter & Serial Number of your heater?
· What is the date of installation?
· What are the clearances around the heater? (including Right Hand Side, Left Hand Side, on Top & in Front)
· How many Quantums do you have in your property & what are the sizes?

lstar337

Jaggeroooh wrote: »

Thanks Lstar,

I think that is possible although Dimplex now seem to suggest otherwise, second response copied below; (note my bolds).

I have responded and will see what I get back. If it is faulty that is slightly annoying, but quick rectification of a fault would still satisfy me. Time will tell!

'
Thank you for your email regarding your QM100 Quantum Heater that you have installed in your study.

I have discussed your problem with our Technical Team & they have advised me that the heater may have a fault. The heater should not take a charge when in ‘Holiday Mode’ unless the room temperature falls below 7 degrees, unless of course the sensor may be detecting a draft. I have therefore been asked if you can provide me with the following details so that we can pass this information to our Service Agents to arrange a call out.

· What is the Series Letter & Serial Number of your heater?
· What is the date of installation?
· What are the clearances around the heater? (including Right Hand Side, Left Hand Side, on Top & in Front)
· How many Quantums do you have in your property & what are the sizes?

Interesting. Keep me updated if you don't mind.:D