Should I just get new storage heaters?

KenA

Hi,

I live in the Highlands of Scotland, and in a fairly modest (2.5 bedrooms) semi-detached house, which is fairly well insulated (loft insulation, triple glazing, external insulation on the walls).

We currently have fairly old storage heaters (how old, I've no idea, but you need to use a coin to turn the input and boost dials), and I get the feeling that they're not the most efficient heaters to have. We've thought about various options to replace them, from an oil powered wet system to pellet boilers, but I was wondering whether the most economical and effective way would be to simply replace them with more modern and controllable storage heaters.

We're on economy 7. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The Dimplex Quantum storage have a few fairly dissatisfied customers on Amazon.

Cardew

Your old storage heaters will be every bit as efficient as any new ones; that is if you measure efficiency as the amount of heat produced for a given cost.

There is some evidence that the newer storage heaters 'leak' less heat during the day and thus retain their heat longer into the evening - but of course your rooms will be cooler during the day.

One thing is certain, even if you find a cheaper heating system, it will take a long while to recoup any installation costs.

A relative of mine who also lives in the Highlands(Fort William) got some good advice from a department in the Scottish Government; or it may have been local council.

KenA

Hi, thanks for the reply. Funnily enough, we live in Fort William. Completely understand about efficiency, I guess we're looking for a balance between cost and controllable heat.

Do you, or anyone else, happen to know whether there are storage heaters that automatically adjust the amount of heat given off, depending upon air temperature and/or time of day?

matelodave

look here https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CDTSR12AW.html?source=adwords&ad_position=1o2&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CDTSR12AW&product_partition_id=174053494627&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_MjiiZbK1wIVQZUbCh2uqQNIEAYYAiABEgJbD_D_BwE

jk0

Funnily enough I am looking at one of those old storage heaters as I type. Do yours look like this?



Mine are at least 30 years old. I have improved the temperature accuracy by fitting a contactor (relay) in the consumer unit, and linking this to the thermostat of my single newer thermostatic Creda storage heater. This heater now controls all of them centrally.

I take it you can't change to SSE's flexiheat tariff? That would give you an afternoon boost, though it is pricey.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

or even this type,



seems that Quantum is the way to go now, it does the thinking for you.

ProDave

Steer clear of the Quantum type.

They are a combination of a storage heater and a convector heater (that uses peak rate daytime electricity) so likely to cost you a lot more yo get the better comfort they offer. Also, when they do go wrong, there is not much you can do to fix them other than replace the £150 circuit board.

Conventional storage heaters are bullet proof last forever and when they do go wrong easy and cheap to repair.

How old is the house? Very unusual to have 3G windows unless it's very modern and very well insulated?

I suspect your best option would be keep the same heaters but switch to the economy 10 tariff. That gives you 10 hours of cheap rate, but not all in one go, some overnight, some early afternoon and some late evening. That means the heaters have to store their heat fr less time and will work a whole lot better.

The big problem with just charging them overnight on E7 id my the evening when you want the heat,. most of it has gone already.

Dandytf

matelodave wrote: »

look here https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CDTSR12AW.html?source=adwords&ad_position=1o2&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=CDTSR12AW&product_partition_id=174053494627&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_MjiiZbK1wIVQZUbCh2uqQNIEAYYAiABEgJbD_D_BwE

Does the mentioned heater have to be installed by an electrician.
Which low cost tariff do these type of heaters use.

molerat

Dandytf wrote: »

Does the mentioned heater have to be installed by an electrician.
Which low cost tariff do these type of heaters use.

They are not plug in and need their own dedicated circuit so yes. They run on standard off peak E7/E10 tariffs. They are just storage heaters with automatic input controls.

ChaunceyGardiner

Scottish Power offers a ‘Weathercall’ feature, whereby the duration of the overnight charge is derived from the weather forecast. You would need a radio teleswitch meter for this to work.

KenA

Thanks all for the replies. Our storage heaters are as per the first line drawn image, not the brown one.

Our house is about 50 years old, but has had 3G and external insulation installed recently. Ditto with loft insulation.

Using Economy 10 sounds interesting, I'll look into it. I've read fairly poor reviews of the Quantuum heaters, and for the cost, can't see them being worthwhile at all.