I fitted a Dimplex Quantum heater!

danrv

Looks like there are a few problems with the Quantums. May have been fixed with the G series  Shouldn’t be the case anyway given what they cost.
I wonder how other heater brands compare such as Elnur Ecombi ECOHHR and Creda TSRE. 

supermario64

tracytcb said:

Supernatural_02 said:

It may be, at the moment it looks like they will be replacing the fan strap? No idea how that part working within the heater but this is the part that's being sourced for the repair. Looks like I might be getting somebody out soon as it's now in stock so we'll see what happens. It will just be nice if they can eliminate the noises so it runs a bit more quietly.

Get them to check that it is fitted correctly to the wall and there's no movement there. Mine seems to have stopped clicking. I think the engineer tightened something. Although it could still be a bit tighter against the wall. I don't want to get the fitters in to refit it as I'm afraid they might undo something he has done and I end up with loud clicking again.

Thought I'd come back and offer an update. They came about 2 weeks ago, replaced the motor (?) but also adjusted the fitting. It is now completely silent which I am happy about.

Now the other heater is still not working at all (FAULT 22 displayed and flashing - been told it could be a factory issue). Engineer came early December, ordered some parts however these have been out of stock since then. Every week I call and am told they're receiving new stock and should expect a call very soon. Will give them this week to do something before I try to escalate further. It's absolutely freezing in the living room which is the main working space and it's also the biggest heater in the house so was relying on it (I live in a tiny 1 bedroom). Need to plan how to complain the most impactful way...
Any other item I would've returned by now but with something fixed to the wall and such a hurdle to have installers remove and install a new one.

tracytcb

supermario64 said:

Thought I'd come back and offer an update. They came about 2 weeks ago, replaced the motor (?) but also adjusted the fitting. It is now completely silent which I am happy about.

Now the other heater is still not working at all (FAULT 22 displayed and flashing - been told it could be a factory issue). Engineer came early December, ordered some parts however these have been out of stock since then. Every week I call and am told they're receiving new stock and should expect a call very soon. Will give them this week to do something before I try to escalate further. It's absolutely freezing in the living room which is the main working space and it's also the biggest heater in the house so was relying on it (I live in a tiny 1 bedroom). Need to plan how to complain the most impactful way...
Any other item I would've returned by now but with something fixed to the wall and such a hurdle to have installers remove and install a new one.

That's strange because they say they prioritise people with no heating. As it is the heater in your biggest and most used room then you should take priority as that is your main source of heating. I don't understand why they are waiting for parts to be available rather than exchange the heater for another one. They must have some in stock.

I had a guy round the other day from the company who fitted mine and my neighbours. He had to check every room for heating and take pictures of the heaters as evidence all rooms had heating. I explained the small panel heater in the bedroom is loose at one side and he said someone will be out to refit in a couple of weeks. (I could probably do it myself but with it being under warranty I didn't touch it). He said there HAS to be adequate heating in all rooms. 

I think it is illegal for them to leave you without heating. If you rent your property a landlord cannot leave you without adequate heating for more than 24 hours in cold periods as it is deemed a risk to health.

If I were you I'd call Dimplex and give 'em hell on the phone and tell them they can't leave you like this without heating. Tell them you want a replacement fitting as soon as possible.

supermario64

tracytcb said:

supermario64 said:

Thought I'd come back and offer an update. They came about 2 weeks ago, replaced the motor (?) but also adjusted the fitting. It is now completely silent which I am happy about.

Now the other heater is still not working at all (FAULT 22 displayed and flashing - been told it could be a factory issue). Engineer came early December, ordered some parts however these have been out of stock since then. Every week I call and am told they're receiving new stock and should expect a call very soon. Will give them this week to do something before I try to escalate further. It's absolutely freezing in the living room which is the main working space and it's also the biggest heater in the house so was relying on it (I live in a tiny 1 bedroom). Need to plan how to complain the most impactful way...
Any other item I would've returned by now but with something fixed to the wall and such a hurdle to have installers remove and install a new one.

That's strange because they say they prioritise people with no heating. As it is the heater in your biggest and most used room then you should take priority as that is your main source of heating. I don't understand why they are waiting for parts to be available rather than exchange the heater for another one. They must have some in stock.

I had a guy round the other day from the company who fitted mine and my neighbours. He had to check every room for heating and take pictures of the heaters as evidence all rooms had heating. I explained the small panel heater in the bedroom is loose at one side and he said someone will be out to refit in a couple of weeks. (I could probably do it myself but with it being under warranty I didn't touch it). He said there HAS to be adequate heating in all rooms. 

I think it is illegal for them to leave you without heating. If you rent your property a landlord cannot leave you without adequate heating for more than 24 hours in cold periods as it is deemed a risk to health.

If I were you I'd call Dimplex and give 'em hell on the phone and tell them they can't leave you like this without heating. Tell them you want a replacement fitting as soon as possible.

Thanks for the info, really helpful. Although they said they were going to escalate my case I just got another text saying they're still trying to source the parts and I'm fuming.

Maybe the company you purchased the heaters has that legal obligation? Starting to feel like I made a mistake: I ordered the heaters separately online (Trading Depo) and hired an electrician to fit them. He's been competent in the past so don't think it's his fault, really. Also I went straight to Dimplex with this issue but perhaps should've tried approaching that online website.

To make it worse the bedroom heater's clicking sound seems to be back. Feeling depressed that after all the research I ended up with these heaters : /

tracytcb

@supermario64 You could try contacting the website you bought the heaters from and explain that you think the one they sent is faulty. See if they will replace it. 

As for the other one, does the clicking change or stop if you press the heater towards the wall? Is there any movement on it?  Perhaps it just needs tightening up a bit. After the Dimplex engineer had been to mine it did still click a little for a few days but then just stopped. Is the clicking as bad as it was before? Maybe it just needs to settle down? 

I understand how you feel. Mine is quiet now, but I still can't say I like it. 

I got mine through the government scheme which provides them free if you meet certain requirements. They were doing the whole block of flats I live in. A company called 'Work Work' installed it. I had no idea requirements for storage heaters had been brought in so that they had to have a timer and temperature dial etc etc until I was offered one of these. My old one didn't use any daytime electricity. It was night time only and output from a dial which just opened a flap. Much better design. Not allowed to sell that type now. 

This is supposed to be progress. Ordered by government ministers who probably never lived with a storage heater in their lives, and I doubt the Dinplex designers ever have either.

danrv

tracytcb said:

@supermario64 You could try contacting the website you bought the heaters from and explain that you think the one they sent is faulty. See if they will replace it. 

Yes. If the heater’s not fit for purpose they should replace it and collect the faulty one.
I’m considering purchasing some of these online. Just hope this is an isolated case.

tracytcb

I now have a sort of buzzing/tinkling sound coming from the right side of my Dimplex Quantum QM100RF. I have contacted Dimplex who said they will need to send a service engineer out. It is a low pitched noise, but when the TV isn't on and it's quiet it can be very very irritating, just tinkling away in my ear - constantly. I can only hear it when the readout says Heater off, so not when it's blowing heat out. The only way I can make it stop is to turn it off at the wall. But as soon as it is switched back on it's doing it again. Driving me crazy some days. Have to go in another room for peace and quiet. Even then, the Dimplex panel heater in the bedroom has started clicking sometimes, even thought it was recently refitted on the wall with a new bracket. 

I got these for free, but I certainly wouldn't spend my money on Dimplex stuff in the future if ever I needed to buy storage heaters, or even panel heaters.

kanzac

Hi everyone - after 2 months of research - this has been the best and most independent information I have found - so thanks everyone back to 2013! I am an electo-mechanical (not heating) engineer so understand all the discussion points and relevance and can clearly see where some people misunderstand storage heaters and thermal calculations.

The problem:
My parents moved into a (electric only) flat a few months ago and the bills are extortionate! There are four 3.4kW Dimplex old style (manual control) storage heaters and a pulsa coil boiler. The water system works well and - after re-lagging the cylinder and pipes - does the job as needed - heating 2 hours off peak to last the entire day of hot water.
The storage heaters have the place roasting in the morning - 27/28 Deg C - and run out of heat in the evening meaning they use peak rate panel and convection heaters fitter around the flat. There are storage heaters in Lounge (two), hall and dining room. A panel heater in the bedroom and small heated towel rails in bathrooms. The flat is above garages so my first job was to lift all carpets and instal a foil/bubble insulation layer and a good thermal underlay - done. Now the heating...

I've flipped between storage heaters to electric radiators - back and forth - and the Fischer (independent) report shows an incredible (flatline) temperature management - but no kWh savings over storage heaters - and the outlaw is breathtaking.
www.fischerfutureheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BRE-Test-Report (can't post links)

Had Northwest heating solutions and Fischer in to quote on electric radiators - for reference - and the lounge (25 sqm) unit alone is priced at £1500 and £2500 respectively!! There is no quick payback on this investment and the kwh running costs can be seen as much higher than storage heaters in a report I found online:
www.dimplex.co.uk/sites/default/files/Running_Cost_Report_2014 (can't post links)

I really am drawn to the Quantums now and can clearly see that the 2 main points in these being installed efficiently:
1. Right size
2. Setting controls correctly (something that lots seem to struggle with)

I am happy I can size correctly and being into technology will be able to manage the set-up correctly. I like the fact I have read people saying - they are cold to the touch in the morning and the room is (no longer) roasting. Although they are saying these as negatives - understanding how they work - these are huge positives to me. 
What draws me to Quantums is the high heat retention and control of the room temperature - which are the keys to the efficiency of storage heaters - only using what's needed, when it's needed - making the most of cheap leccy. I also want the wi-fi so I can manage my parents warmth & bills from home if needed.

What is putting me off:
1. The fan noise - my dad is hypersensitive to noise
2. The after sales experience of others - seems very poor
3. No "room" thermostat control - only using thermostat at the heater

So - my plan is to install one Quantum unit in the lounge - 1.5kW (QM150RF) and see how it goes. If it's good and noise level acceptable - I will add other units. If too noisy I will move the Quantum unit into the hall and rethink the solution in living areas. Best online price I found is £739

Any comments, thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

oldcyclist

I installed my own Quantums replacing older Dimplex units. They are a huge improvement although rather expensive. Many people here seem not to understand that the much improved insulation and reversed airflow means that the outer shell temperature is not an indicator of the unit working. There is a little noise from the fan but my hearing is very good and I don't find it really bothersome. The room temperature of a correctly sized system is generally within 1degr C of the chosen setting. The critical requirement is of course correct sizing for the situation. Another consideration is the requirement for TWO power supplies. If replacing an old installation remember that the Quantum also needs a separate 24h source to run the electronics and also the boost feature. 

tracytcb

@kanzac Before you go splashing out any money on these, check if your parents  could qualify for this government scheme to get them for free. This is how I got mine.

https://www.affordablewarmthscheme.co.uk/free-storage-heaters/