Should I just get new storage heaters?

KenA

Thanks. In order to save money, we tend to keep the Input on low and then only turn the Output up in the evening, then back to as low as possible when going to bed. Are we being a bit too tight, and should we try setting the Input to a higher value?

lstar337

KenA wrote: »

Thanks. In order to save money, we tend to keep the Input on low and then only turn the Output up in the evening, then back to as low as possible when going to bed. Are we being a bit too tight, and should we try setting the Input to a higher value?

It's your choice. If you are comfortable then stick with what you are doing. Obviously there is no point in turning the input up if it just isn't needed, but a lot of storage heaters have automatic input control anyway and use the temperature of the room at night to decide how much charge to take.

KenA

Cheers for the reply. I wasn't aware of how automated storage heaters can be however, it sounds like we are unlikely to gain that much by replacing them with more modern storage heaters really,

jk0

As you have the internet Ken, why not every evening look up the temperature forecast for your area for the following day?

You only need to make yourself a little table, say with 0 degrees corresponding to an input of 5, 5 degrees corresponding to an input of 3.5, 10 degrees to an input of 2, and 15 degrees to an input of 0.5 say.

I think you get the gist of what I'm saying, even if your table is slightly different.

KenA

Thanks, good idea. We do have a wood burning stove as well, which helps hugely.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I adjust the input, before going to bed, according to local weather forecast for the next day.

I'm usually up about 5 in the morning, so I can turn it up a bit if needed, whilst still on the cheap rate.

I never use the output, just keep it closed.

KenA

Can I ask why you keep the outputs closed please? Presumably even with the output closed, you get enough heat from them to not need to open them up. My take (which is a bit of a guess) is that I should open them up in the early evening to make the most use of the stored heat, and then to close them before going to bed. I suppose it ultimately doesn't matter, so long as they're doing the job.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I find with the input set at a level that suits me, (and I like my heat),
I don't need to use the output.

The more heat the heater emits the more input it will need.

matelodave

If you can get away with keeping the outputs closed then the heater shouldn't need as much to charge it overnight.

Think of it like a bucket of heat, the less you take out the less energy it will require to top it up again for the next day. The same goes for your hot water tank.

lstar337

KenA wrote: »

Thanks, good idea. We do have a wood burning stove as well, which helps hugely.

Not always.

Automatic charge control uses a thermostat to sense the temperature of the room at night and adjust the input charge. So if it is a really cold night (low temperature in the room), then the heater will take on more charge because it assumes that the next day will also be cold. If it is a warm night (mild temperature in the room), then the heater will take on less charge because it is assumed that the following day will also be fairly mild.

It is a good system. It's simple, but it works. That is until you add another source of heat into the mix. If your log burner is keeping the room artificially warm at night, the heater will assume the next day is going to be warm (It isn't clever enough to know you have a log burner) and it will take on less charge. This will result in not enough heat being stored for the next day.

So a log burner isn't always helping in some situations.