Storage Heaters...again

houseimprover

I am still struggling to understand storage heaters fully.

At the moment I put them on an input of 4 (max 6) and an output of 3.5, I then turn this down to 1 at night and during the day until I get back from work.

Cost is 5.5w a unit on econ 7, the heater is a 2.55kw heater so presumably each hour at maximum heating is 14p an hour, each night this is 98p per storage heater.

I still can't get a proper answer from anyone that if my input is only on 4 of 6 would this not reduce my electricity input to two thirds of 2.55kw (i.e 1.70kw) so reducing my cost per hour to 9.35p an hour or 66p a day?

If someone can explain this in plain English I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Setting your input on 4 (of 6) does not reduce the Kw rating of 2.55Kwh, but it does set the thermostat lower so it will just switch off sooner when the heat reaches the No4 setting's level.
Trying to work out the costs by multiplying it out is not effective for this reason as I found when I installed one in the hallway - it used quite a bit less electricity than I expected.
Altering the output setting downwards usually just closes a heat release vent and so keeps more heat in and so releases heat more slowly.
That's how mine works anyway.

lstar337

houseimprover wrote: »

I am still struggling to understand storage heaters fully.

At the moment I put them on an input of 4 (max 6) and an output of 3.5, I then turn this down to 1 at night and during the day until I get back from work.

Cost is 5.5w a unit on econ 7, the heater is a 2.55kw heater so presumably each hour at maximum heating is 14p an hour, each night this is 98p per storage heater.

I still can't get a proper answer from anyone that if my input is only on 4 of 6 would this not reduce my electricity input to two thirds of 2.55kw (i.e 1.70kw) so reducing my cost per hour to 9.35p an hour or 66p a day?

If someone can explain this in plain English I would be very appreciative.

Thanks

You shouldn't really need to use the output knob at all, only as a boost in the evening.

warhead is correct, setting the input will not tell you how much power the unit will take, or how much it will cost you. (Unless you have manual charge control units, but I expect them to be automatic charge control)

It all comes down to room temperature. You can set the input down low (which would normally cost less), but if the room is really cold overnight, then the unit will still take a lot of charge.

The heater (in a very simplistic but usually effective way) uses the current room temperature to decide how much charge it needs to take in order to maintain a comfortable temperature for the next day.

Low input + Hot room = No charge
Low input + Warm room = Little charge
Low input + Cold room = Medium charge

Medium input + Hot room = Little charge
Medium input + Warm room = Medium charge
Medium input + Cold room = Large charge

High input + Hot room = Medium charge
High input + Warm room = Large charge
High input + Cold room = Full charge

Using the output damper will drain the unit further and require more charging to maintain a comfortable temperature.

I hope this helps demystify the situation a little.