Removal of Economy7 and improving electric heating

goodwithsaving

Hi there,
I'm moving to a flat with no gas having been used to gas central heating.
Currently it has an economy7 meter which I'm keen to remove as I am unable to run washing machines etc. at night and sometimes require electricity during the day for computers etc. when at home. Is this an easy thing to get removed? Costly?

The flat also has old storage heaters which I'd like to remove and have two options:
1. Underfloor heating and infra-red panels
2. New electric radiators with better efficiency, individual timers.

Bear in mind I'll have just had new carpet re-laid (I can't delay this so it'd need pulling back up for re-laying if underfloor was the favoured option). The underlay is a thick one and the glazing is brand new.

Option 2 is cheaper to install overall however running costs etc. need to be considered.

All thoughts very much appreciated.

Thank you.

goodwithsaving

bump. anyone?

lstar337

goodwithsaving wrote: »

Hi there,
I'm moving to a flat with no gas having been used to gas central heating.
Currently it has an economy7 meter which I'm keen to remove as I am unable to run washing machines etc. at night and sometimes require electricity during the day for computers etc. when at home. Is this an easy thing to get removed? Costly?

Removing E7 would be a very costly mistake.

There is a reason it was fitted in the fist place. It is the cheapest alternative to gas.

goodwithsaving wrote: »

The flat also has old storage heaters

How old? What are the model numbers?

goodwithsaving wrote: »

which I'd like to remove and have two options:
1. Underfloor heating and infra-red panels
2. New electric radiators with better efficiency, individual timers.

1. Very expensive to both install and run. 2. There is no such thing as a 'better efficiency' electric radiator. Doesn't matter if you spend £300 or £30, you'll get exactly the same heat. Direct electric heating is roughly 300% more expensive to run than night storage heaters on E7.

goodwithsaving wrote: »

Option 2 is cheaper to install overall however running costs etc. need to be considered.

Running costs of option 1 (underfloor + infrared) are equally as awful.

When ditching E7, have you considered the cost of direct hot water? With E7 and a good tank you will get lots of cheaply heated hot water every day. Take away the E7 and you are going to pay a lot more, or find another way to heat your water.

My advice would be to stick with E7, upgrade the storage heater in the main living space (or other high usage rooms) to a modern type (if needed), and think about direct electric with timers in bedrooms and other little used rooms.

Let us know the model number of the storage heater and we can tell you if it needs replacing, and how to use it properly.

EssexExile

goodwithsaving wrote: »

I am unable to run washing machines etc. at night and sometimes require electricity during the day for computers etc. when at home.

I'm confused, are you under the impression that with Economy 7 you have no electricity during the day? You have the normal 24 hour supply and the Economy 7 supply.

dominoman

Economy 7 should be free to replace, if you contact the electricity company. All they do is combine the readings from the 2 meters. It doesn't even need a new one. But if you are using immersion heating and storage heaters it should work out cheaper to keep it, even if you use the PC etc in the day.

Remember that all electric heaters are 100% efficient (100% of the electricity they use is turned into heat), so don't listen to any sales spiel telling you that new ones are more efficient than older ones. If you're replacing heaters, fine to do it for aesthetic reasons, just don't do it to increase efficiency.

goodwithsaving

Thank you both for your replies. I don't know the model #, but do know that they're very old and unattractive to look at.
When I next visit, I'll make a note of the model. They definitely need replacing though, even it just for aesthetic reasons.
I've been looking at the RC Wave radiators if I were to replace them with normal electric rads. Are they any good?
I'm in a lot at weekends, and the odd day in the week. I don't know if storage heaters offer enough control. I know I can use electricity in the day, it's just a question of whether my use of the PC, fridge etc in the day will bump the price up to the point, it is easier to have a normal tariff.

I'm going to miss gas.........!

SalsaDanca

When I lived in an electric-only flat, I only used the night-time rate for the immersion heater and the storage heaters (and I only used the storage heaters when absolutely necessary!). Even when I was working from home most of the time, and using the washing machine etc. during the day, about 75% of my electric usage was on the night-time rate.

Electric heating is expensive enough to run when you're on Economy 7 - without Economy 7, it could cost you twice as much.