Using storage heater swhen working full time- is it worth it?

HappyMJ

It's very important that when you go to bed at night make sure you turn the output dial to zero and very little heat will be lost from the heater during the day. Enough heat will be lost from the heater to prevent the room from getting too cold. When you arrive in the evening turn the output dial up to whatever feels comfortable.

SteelerGemma

footyguy wrote: »

That's a little bit of a 'how long's a piece of string' question as it depends on so many variables.
But in my experience, a full charged storage heater that is correctly installed and operated, in a reasonably insulated home, should stay warm for at least 48 hours, especially if the damper is kepot closed



Really? Do you believe such reports?
Since the electricity industry created storage heaters as a low cost alternative (both in installation costs and running costs) to other heating systems, and given E7 low rate typically operates from midnight to 7am in winter (times may vary a little) this would mean the heat would all be lost by 7pm, a time when most people start turning the heat on/up especially on chilly winter evenings.

Lesson to be learned here, I suspect ... something about don't believe everything you read on t'internet, perhaps? :cool:

I don't believe everything I read on the internet hence why I am posting in here for some more advice. Thankyou for the post above which is helpful.

SteelerGemma

Thankyou all for your posts, it has made me understand how it is used much better! I am on an economy 7 and yes hot water is also heated on E7 through the night, I thought it gave out heat all day and didn't realise I could just 'turn it off' by ensuring the output is on zero, unfortunately when I moved in there was no manuals for the storge heater!

So for the poster above who said typically it should store my heat for around 48 hours once it is charged so to speak I assume I then just turn the input to zero until it requires more heat?

lstar337

SteelerGemma wrote: »

So for the poster above who said typically it should store my heat for around 48 hours once it is charged so to speak I assume I then just turn the input to zero until it requires more heat?

You are best setting the input for winter and then leaving it until spring when you can (probably) turn it off.

The heater (if is automatic charge control, which most are now) will take little or more charge each night to make sure there is plenty for the next day. The thing to remember is that if the heater doesn't need it, it wont take it. So there is little to no intervention needed.

They are 'Set and forget' devices and only require a nudge on the output dial if you are feeling the cold. I had them for two years and only remember a few nights where I needed to use the output. The gentle warming throughout the day was enough for me.

SteelerGemma

Lovely, that's great, thankyou to everyone for your help & advice

modsandmockers

SteelerGemma wrote: »

I read an article that said they lose most of there heat within 12 hours?

footyguy wrote: »

low rate typically operates from midnight to 7am in winter (times may vary a little) so this would mean the heat would all be lost by 7pm. But in my experience, a full charged storage heater that is correctly installed and operated, in a reasonably insulated home, should stay warm for at least 48 hours, especially if the damper is kepot closed

lstar337 wrote: »

The heater (if is automatic charge control, which most are now) will take little or more charge each night to make sure there is plenty for the next day. The thing to remember is that if the heater doesn't need it, it wont take it

I think there is room for a bit of clarification.

1 - the OP hasn't stated whether or not the single storage heater is of a modern design, nor the power rating of the heater, nor the amount of space which needs heating, nor the location of the heater within the room. There are many poorly designed storage heater installations, and some of the hardware is extremely old.

2- there is a difference between a 12-hour 'heat release' period and a 48-hour 'heat retention' period, and there is not necessarily any correlation between the two.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

here's a wee video explaining how to get the best from storage heater usage.

lstar337

modsandmockers wrote: »

I think there is room for a bit of clarification.

1 - the OP hasn't stated whether or not the single storage heater is of a modern design, nor the power rating of the heater, nor the amount of space which needs heating, nor the location of the heater within the room. There are many poorly designed storage heater installations, and some of the hardware is extremely old.

2- there is a difference between a 12-hour 'heat release' period and a 48-hour 'heat retention' period, and there is not necessarily any correlation between the two.

True, however the advice above is given on the premise of 'giving the heater a go' this winter to see how it works for the OP.

If the OP finds that the heater is not meeting her needs, then we can look at the install in more detail and talk about possible upgrade options. If the OP finds that the heater works just fine, then who cares about the details.:D