Which electric heating system when replacing old storage heaters?

wookie6

Hi,

I need to replace my old storage heaters, however I'm torn with which replacement heating system to replace them with. The property (a flat) cannot have a gas supply, is about 70sqm and is a late Victorian property.

My current storage heaters are wired into an off peak electricity supply only for which I have a Standard & Off-Peak electricity tariff. Previous tenants of the property have always complained about the costs of heating the property.

As I see it there are 3 options, all with pro's and con's:

1) High heat retention storage heaters

Pro's: Most efficient / Cheapest to run (around 40% cheaper to run on an off peak tariff than direct electric heaters on a standard tariff)
Con's: They cost about twice as much per unit than a direct heater (e.g. for a £300 direct heater, a high heat storage heater costs around £600) + you must use an off peak tariff so the rest of your electricity outside the off peak times in more expensive + storage heaters are now seen as old and non modern + need a professional to fit them. (Also in my particular case I would also need them wired into the day time electricity supply as they require this).

2) Standard storage heaters

Pro's: A little more efficient / cheap to run on an an off peak tariff than direct heaters (maybe 20% or so).
Con's: All same con's as above, other than price per unit is roughly the same as a direct heater and I believe I wouldn't need to wire them into the day time electric supply or need a professional to fit them.

3) Direct heaters

Pro's: Look modern + provide instant heat + Can be temperature controlled + used on standard tariff so all day electricity benefits from lower rates
Con's: Nearly 40% more expensive to run than High heat retention storage heaters

I keep chopping and changing between all 3 options and really can't decide which to go for, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

wookie6 wrote: »

I need to replace my old storage heaters,

why do you need to replace them, are they not working, or just ugly?

I have a Standard & Off-Peak electricity tariff.

Why are you not on E7?

Previous tenants of the property have always complained about the costs of heating the property.

They maybe didn't know how to operate them properly.

I would disregard 1, you're just paying extra for good looks, and 3, cost too much to operate, which leaves you 2, so back to why do you need to replace them?

luvchocolate

I would post on the energy board