storage heaters vs panel heaters

ForestBluebells

Hi all,

I have just bought a new property that doesn't have the ability to get gas and also doesn't have oil at the moment.

It currently has storage heaters but I was wondering if it was better to take these out and put in normal panel heaters as from what I have read storage heaters (on economy 7) are more suited to people at home in the day as the heat is added to the radiators in the day and may be gone by the time i get home from work. Plus all my normal usage (lighting, washing machine, dishwasher, tv etc) will be on the peak part of the tariff.

Do you think i should replace the heaters with normal electric panel heaters and go to a normal energy tariff where it is cheaper to use energy at peak times?

lstar337

sambo84 wrote: »

Hi all,

I have just bought a new property that doesn't have the ability to get gas and also doesn't have oil at the moment.

It currently has storage heaters but I was wondering if it was better to take these out and put in normal panel heaters as from what I have read storage heaters (on economy 7) are more suited to people at home in the day as the heat is added to the radiators in the day and may be gone by the time i get home from work. Plus all my normal usage (lighting, washing machine, dishwasher, tv etc) will be on the peak part of the tariff.

Do you think i should replace the heaters with normal electric panel heaters and go to a normal energy tariff where it is cheaper to use energy at peak times?

Panels heaters will cost you roughly twice as much to run as a NSH.

Most of what your hear about NSH is written by people who didn't know how to use them. A NSH will not run out of heat in the evening if the damper is closed and it is not under specified.

sheffield_lad

lstar337 wrote: »

. A NSH will not run out of heat in the evening if the damper is closed and it is not under specified.

I agree with Istar in the post except the bit above. IMO you need another heating source from 7pm ish onwards as most storage heaters I come across have run out of puff by then.

Sticking with storage heaters has to be cheaper than panel heaters which could cost you a fortune to run.

GL

Swipe

sheffield_lad wrote: »

I agree with Istar in the post except the bit above. IMO you need another heating source from 7pm ish onwards as most storage heaters I come across have run out of puff by then.

You shouldn't do if the damper has been closed since the overnight charge and then opened in the evening.

luvchocolate

I have had storage heaters for 7 years, work full time so only home in the evening, I have never run out of heat in the evening and have never had to open the damper...ever

sheffield_lad

luvchocolate wrote: »

I have had storage heaters for 7 years, work full time so only home in the evening, I have never run out of heat in the evening and have never had to open the damper...ever

I must have only come across the older types then. I have a landlord in Bradford who has these on two different metering systems and thought from tenant feedback that they didn't give much out without the afternoon boost tariff.

alibean121

sheffield_lad wrote: »

I must have only come across the older types then. I have a landlord in Bradford who has these on two different metering systems and thought from tenant feedback that they didn't give much out without the afternoon boost tariff.

So not your own experience? We're back at "most of the negative feedback on NSH is from people who don't know how to use them" point.

I would say that I far prefer a panel heater in a bedroom though. For me, hours of heat in the room is a waste but I want something on for half an hour before I go to bed.

Richie-from-the-Boro

I've never opened a damper in nearly 40 years of use in 2 different dwellings. Istar337 correctly said """if the damper is closed and it is not under specified""" - and there we have it. There are 2 prices (1) cheap and (2) expensive. If you store enough cheap you always have enough and never need a damper, if you are under specified you will need to open a damper or switch on the expensive stuff.

In the last 20 years my opinions have changed linear to the cost of domestic heating energy. The luxury of full central heating is a luxury few can afford or few want to pay for. Occasional as~and~when radiant panel heating is an excellent alternative. A good e-stat with timer 3kW can be had for £50 for kitchen, bedroom, hall, and an IP44 radiant panel for the bathroom for not much more. NOTE the old school IR ceiling is still a good heater as is the IP24 With Pullcord highmount for occasional instant bathroom and kitchen use.

Much of the anti NSH hysteria in my opinion is a direct result of the EST a DECC/GOV funded political mouthpiece for the green warez sellers and back door carbon trading. Get everyone to panel their roof and pay on their leccy bills and fill this green land with windymills we never plug into the grid and pay for a 100% diesel generator mW for mW backup for the wind that does not blow and the sun that does not shine and the carbon initiative is being met by the taxpayers without even knowing it. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

alderpoint

How much insulation in the loft? Make sure it's at least a foot and you'll save £££ whatever is generating the heat.

ForestBluebells

Thank you for the replies. I don't think these are going to be modern storage heaters as the property is around 30 years old and I can't see them having ever been updated. I guess I can see how long they store heat. I'm out between 8.30 and 6 every day so only need the heat first thing in the morning and in the evenings so if they don't store the heat well I'm worried I'll be paying for heat that will just get lost and then paying high rate when I need electricity in general when I'm home. It's so confusing!

luvchocolate

Hi again...mine are over 25 years old, I have lived in the property 7 years, never had a problem. never run out of heat. I am also out all day.