Storage Heater Changes

Andy_WSM

jibber4568 wrote: »

Input is left on 3/4 at all times.

If you're running out of heat then turn the input up. It would be cheaper to store more cheap overnight heat than to top up with premium rate. Try turning the input to max - it won't hurt the heater and in all honestly won't increase the runnings costs by as much as a peak rate top up would.

jibber4568

Thanks for the advice guys. Really not sure what to do now.

At the moment my input is set to 4 and output is left as 1 (the absolute minimum).



With these settings the heaters are roasting when I get up in the morning and are too hot to touch for more than a few seconds. Anyone know if this is normal with output set as 1?

I tried increasing the output this morning when they were hot and certainly didn't feel any hot air rush out of them.

By the time I get home from work they are simply luke warm for the rest of the evening.

Just trying to gauge if what's happening is normal or if my heaters need replacing etc.

jibber4568

Andy_WSM wrote: »

If you're running out of heat then turn the input up. It would be cheaper to store more cheap overnight heat than to top up with premium rate. Try turning the input to max - it won't hurt the heater and in all honestly won't increase the runnings costs by as much as a peak rate top up would.

Thanks I'll give this a try. My only concern with this was on the days I'm home during the day(weekends) it would be even hotter then it is already.

Just wish there was a way I could have minimal heat during the days (not nice walking back into a hot flat when you've been rushing around) and then more heat in the evenings.

lstar337

jibber4568 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys. Really not sure what to do now.

At the moment my input is set to 4 and output is left as 1 (the absolute minimum).



With these settings the heaters are roasting when I get up in the morning and are too hot to touch for more than a few seconds. Anyone know if this is normal with output set as 1?

I tried increasing the output this morning when they were hot and certainly didn't feel any hot air rush out of them.

By the time I get home from work they are simply luke warm for the rest of the evening.

Just trying to gauge if what's happening is normal or if my heaters need replacing etc.

Roasting hot in the morning is certainly normal.

You should feel a rush of heat when you open the damper, so if you don't that's a little odd considering the heater is roasting hot on the outside.

Being luke warm in the evening is a hard one to judge. It would be normal under some conditions like if the heater were to small for the room, or if the room is so poorly insulated that it is haemorrhaging heat.

Can you find a model number for the heater?

lstar337

jibber4568 wrote: »

Just wish there was a way I could have minimal heat during the days (not nice walking back into a hot flat when you've been rushing around) and then more heat in the evenings.

Normally this is achievable by setting a comfortable input, and keeping the damper fully closed until the evening when you may or may not need a little boost.

It seems you may have some control issues with your heaters.

You would get the control you require with a Quantum heater, but they are far from cheap. Do you have funds to make an upgrade?

stator

Just checking but are you entirely sure you have an Economy 7 meter?

Personally I can't stand night storage heaters and would switch to portable infrared type heaters on a normal meter. They're good if you sit in one spot, not so good if you have lots of people or want the whole room heated.

What about your insulation? Cavity walls done? Blocked off any drafts? Thermal curtains? Loft insulation?

jibber4568

Thanks lstar337. Don't have the model numbers to hand but will check them out.

If there is a better and more flexible option out there I do have some funds to upgrade. Just not loads.

I'm more interested in what the best options are if I was to upgrade.

Quantum heataers, other storage heater, or just electric radiators that don't store heat can be used at any time with a thermostat.

jibber4568

stator wrote: »

Just checking but are you entirely sure you have an Economy 7 meter?

Personally I can't stand night storage heaters and would switch to portable infrared type heaters on a normal meter. They're good if you sit in one spot, not so good if you have lots of people or want the whole room heated.

What about your insulation? Cavity walls done? Blocked off any drafts? Thermal curtains? Loft insulation?

Pretty sure I am. The red light on the plug socket clicks in at around 11 pm each day.

jrio

jibber4568 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys. Really not sure what to do now.

At the moment my input is set to 4 and output is left as 1 (the absolute minimum).



With these settings the heaters are roasting when I get up in the morning and are too hot to touch for more than a few seconds. Anyone know if this is normal with output set as 1?

I tried increasing the output this morning when they were hot and certainly didn't feel any hot air rush out of them.

By the time I get home from work they are simply luke warm for the rest of the evening.

Just trying to gauge if what's happening is normal or if my heaters need replacing etc.

How long do you usually charge them up for? For a day when the temperature is going to drop to a few degrees or less by early evening, I find they need around 4 and a half to 5 and a half hours of charging at medium/high to high(my heaters don't have any numbering). To do that, I would have them charging from around 1am/2am to 6.30am. As stated, they will be red hot in the morning.

I certainly wouldn't think of removing them. Currently, my unit rate for Economy 7 is about a third of the day rate and makes a vast saving. Before the price rises of recent years, it was about 20%!

jibber4568

jrio wrote: »

How long do you usually charge them up for?

No idea to be honest. They usually click on about 11pm and then charge away throughout the night. It's all tied into the electrics so I have no idea how you check what hours it's actually charging for.