Which electric heating system do tenants prefer?

wookie6

I am in the process of replacing the old storage heaters in the flat I rent out. Previous tenants have complained that the heating costs were high.

This could have been due to several factors, perhaps the storage heaters being old and inefficient, maybe the number of storage heaters not being enough for the property, not being on the most efficient electricity tariff or perhaps it was just a case of people having a different view on what are 'high costs' and not being realistic.

I was therefore wondering which options tenants prefer?

Do tenants value the instant heat of direct heaters with the increased running cost over storage heaters (apparently 20% more than standard storage heaters and 40% more than High Retention Storage heaters)?

Do tenants prefer storage heaters as they are cheaper to run, even if they can't boost the heat in the evenings / when needed?

Do tenants view any property with storage heaters as old and they have had their day?

Equally I have heard a number of times that tenants are confused about how to use storage heaters so don't get the best out of them.

Any advice appreciated, as if replacing the heating system I would like to do it in such a way that new tenants are happy with the heating system.

theartfullodger

They prefer cheap to run one.

wookie6

theartfullodger wrote: »

They prefer cheap to run one.

Even if the cheap to run one is a storage heater which I've heard lots of tenants don't know how to use effectively? (note: this is not my opinion just what I've heard numerous times).

kinger101

Is there a gas supply?

Electricity is dreadful for heating. If you have storage heaters, you'll need economy 7. Maybe modern ones will work better than old ones. You can always instruct tenants how to use them.

Most electrical heating is near 100% efficient. The problem is electricity is three times more expensive than gas. So anything other than storage heaters on E7 is gonna be very expensive.

wookie6

kinger101 wrote: »

Is there a gas supply?

Electricity is dreadful for heating. If you have storage heaters, you'll need economy 7. Maybe modern ones will work better than old ones. You can always instruct tenants how to use them.

Most electrical heating is near 100% efficient. The problem is electricity is three times more expensive than gas. So anything other than storage heaters on E7 is gonna be very expensive.

Unfortunately there isn't a gas supply, well perhaps one could be made available however I have heard from another flat owner in the building that the cost when they inquired was horrific and a non starter!

I currently have a peak and off peak meter and am on a Standard & Off-Peak energy tariff (similar to Economy 7). The current storage heaters are only wired into the off peak supply.

I totally agree with your statement re: costs of Electricty vs Gas, it sounds like your recommendation would be storage heaters and educating new tenants on usage.

That being the case, the decision would then be whether to go for new standard storage heaters or the fancy new High Retention Storage heaters (e.g. Dimplex Quantum).

kinger101

There is an Energy forum on this site which might be a good place to ask about the merits of the different models;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

wookie6

kinger101 wrote: »

There is an Energy forum on this site which might be a good place to ask about the merits of the different models;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. I'll add a post on the different types of electric heating on that forum and the pro's and con's as I see them.

beeg0d

For electric storage heaters are the only way todo, just make sure the tennant is aware of the requirement for economy7 type tarrif. However their biggest problem (other then cost) is by the end of the day (even high retention ones) have given out a lot of their heat so on a cold evening there can be not much left to keep you warm.

The best method is either use heaters that have a "boost" option (there wired into both the regular and offpeak mains) so once they start getting colder you can hit boost and for an hour or so they will heat up again. Or the other option (as is the setup i have at the moment) 2 regular storage heaters in main areas (hall and lounge) plus regular high efficency convestion heaters in all other areas.

wookie6

beeg0d wrote: »

For electric storage heaters are the only way todo, just make sure the tennant is aware of the requirement for economy7 type tarrif. However their biggest problem (other then cost) is by the end of the day (even high retention ones) have given out a lot of their heat so on a cold evening there can be not much left to keep you warm.

The best method is either use heaters that have a "boost" option (there wired into both the regular and offpeak mains) so once they start getting colder you can hit boost and for an hour or so they will heat up again. Or the other option (as is the setup i have at the moment) 2 regular storage heaters in main areas (hall and lounge) plus regular high efficency convestion heaters in all other areas.

Thanks for the reply, I am quickly coming to the same conclusion (i.e. regular storage heaters in main areas (hall and lounge) plus regular high efficiency convestion heaters in all other areas). Do you mind me asking which manufacturers you have gone for and whether you've been happy with them?

With regards to the "boost" option this sounds perfect but I would need to get them wired into the peak supply as they are currently only wired into the off-peak supply).

bluesnake

Tenants prefer gas, for cheapness. Landlords may prefer electric as there are no yearly gas safety checks, no boiler maintenance, generally less issues and meter readings.

wookie6

bluesnake wrote: »

Tenants prefer gas, for cheapness. Landlords may prefer electric as there are no yearly gas safety checks, no boiler maintenance, generally less issues and meter readings.

Unfortunately gas isn't an option in my circumstance, however I do like the fact that I don't need to undertake safety checks etc.