Electric Central Heating

[Deleted User]

Hi,

jings, this?

Owain_Moneysaver

southcoastrgi wrote: »

you will prob only need a 6 or 9 kW electric boiler which is no more powerful than an electric shower, imo it will benefit you & make it more sellable with a wet heating system

Central heating is not necessarily as controllable on a room-by-room basis as storage heaters. That matters less with gas because gas is comparatively cheap, but with peak rate electricity the control systems have a greater effect on heating cost, as even a 1% improvement is more significant in terms of cost.

An electric wet central heating system using peak rate electricity will have high running costs reported against it on an energy performance certificate when it comes to sell, with a probable recommendation to change to a thermal store (or even storage heaters...).

Electric wet central heating may have its applications where wet radiators are desired for a 'period' appearance, or where a gas boiler is going to be installed at a later date and the electric is temporary, etc, but it really doesn't offer much improvement over other systems for most people.

Daryl-

Would first like to say a big thank you for all the opinions and responses, genuinely all have been very helpful.

To try to summarise some of the questions on here:

I was very aware of going into the flat with E7 and storage heater combo, I was told by people who previously owned them that they're a hassle, but cheap. Going by everyones response this appears to be the case.

The main reason for installing them was for the sake of having instant heat when I am after it, rather than having to pre heat them the previous night, though, going from responses, updated storage heaters could resolve this issue/buying a few convection heaters.

One of the main reasons my plumber put forward was the fact that many times, the heating may be on though the weather may have taken a turn for the better, thus making the heating useless and making it bloody hot in the apartment! During the dead winter heating will be on most days, but autumn and spring months may turn out to be 'heating on, windows open' weather.

Again, I appreciate the responses and will take them into serious consideration.

As a last note, are there any particular brands or storage heater that have a good reputation?

Thanks.

EssexExile

Dimplex are the big name. Creda were the big name but the present Creda Heating is not the same company.

Swipe

Daryl- wrote: »

One of the main reasons my plumber put forward was the fact that many times, the heating may be on though the weather may have taken a turn for the better, thus making the heating useless and making it bloody hot in the apartment! During the dead winter heating will be on most days, but autumn and spring months may turn out to be 'heating on, windows open' weather.

You can turn them down if the weather warms up so they use less electric and output less heat and vice versa. You just need to pay more attention to the 3 day weather forecast.

baldelectrician

Use the existing heaters.


If I were in your circumstances I would opt for Dimplex Duo Heat range. They are dearer but they work as storage heaters with built in convectors


I put two in 2 years ago (to replace existing heaters) and the client got a £200 refund after the winter as they are more efficient


They need 2 supplies wired back the consumer unit which may be a hassle

Mankysteve

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

No.

An electric boiler will use peak rate electricity which costs about 3 times as much as off-peak Economy 7.

Completely Wrong

What you do is use the hot water tank as your storage Medimum. Heat the tank up at night on economy7.

The advantage of this system over storage is its much easier to control when you heat your rooms if you have warm evening and don't run the heating the heat will sit in the tank ready for when it's next needed, modern tanks are very efficient nowadays should be cheaper to run than a storage heaters.

The disadvantage is that it will be more expensive.l intial outlay and getting correct sizing of the hot water tank so that you not having to top it up with day rate electricity.

If you getting mates rates though may be worth it.

Daryl-

Smashing, thanks for all the tips, its certainly given me something to think about!

Cheers,
Daryl.

tonyh66

Mankysteve wrote: »

Completely Wrong

What you do is use the hot water tank as your storage Medimum. Heat the tank up at night on economy7.

The advantage of this system over storage is its much easier to control when you heat your rooms if you have warm evening and don't run the heating the heat will sit in the tank ready for when it's next needed, modern tanks are very efficient nowadays should be cheaper to run than a storage heaters.

The disadvantage is that it will be more expensive.l intial outlay and getting correct sizing of the hot water tank so that you not having to top it up with day rate electricity.

If you getting mates rates though may be worth it.

see post #2 re thermal store, in my experience you will need a tank of 800 to 1000 litres for it to store enough heat, totally not practical for a small flat.