Help with storage heaters!

TheHoneyBadger

We're renting a 3 bed house with storage heaters, landlord is unwilling to change to central heating so we're stuck with them. The only problem is I have no idea how to use them, it would all seem pretty straight forward if we had E7 but we don't we're on a single rate meter, I'm a SAHM but me and my partner do sit up till late so my question is when do I turn it on? Do I still need to heat it up at night or can I do it at any time? We have no manual and the pdf version isn't very clear.
TIA x

Cardew

Are you sure you have proper Storage Heaters and are not on Economy 7?

I suspect they are not storage heaters.

If they are storage heaters then get an E7 tariff soonest.

TheHoneyBadger

The manual says night storage heaters dimplex xms724n, we only have one rate meter as far as I can see (one display)

Richie-from-the-Boro

Thats a big 16 bricker - 24kWh heater, the usual input [6 the heater takes maximum charge and at 1 the heater takes a minimum charge] and output controls. Read this.

- if you have a single rate meter you need an E7 tariff to benefit from cheap rate electricity
- alternatively you need a different [non storage] radiant type of heating altogether
- how is your water heated ?
- read this thread for ideas
- water and night store on a non-E7 tariff means your bills will be scary in the winter

Cardew

TheHoneyBadger wrote: »

we only have one rate meter as far as I can see (one display)

Is it a digital display? Can you scroll through the displays?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Cardew wrote: »

Is it a digital display? Can you scroll through the displays?

- the usual coin in slot knob under flap M8 !

TheHoneyBadger

Can't scroll, says "single phase"

Water is heated by immersion, we have 2 smaller heaters upstairs same type but smaller models.

TheHoneyBadger

Yes storage heater is knobs, meter is digital. Sorry for confusion

lstar337

TheHoneyBadger wrote: »

Can't scroll, says "single phase"

Water is heated by immersion, we have 2 smaller heaters upstairs same type but smaller models.

Phase is not connected to rate.

Most domestic supplies are single phase.

Can you post a photo of the meter, or give a type number?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I have a single phase meter with three rates on it, day, night and control, you need to push a button to get different readings.

Is your meter like this?

You will see it is on rate 4, you need to press 'cycle display' to see different readings.

TheHoneyBadger

Can't post a pic as on phone but its white with no buttons anywhere on it and the whole display is taken up by numbers i'm pretty sure its just single rate.

I think really it will be a lot cheaper to use fan/oil heater. I didn't realise the storage heaters wrre 24kwh as opposed to the 1-3 of a plug in!