Upgrading Storage Heaters?

tez1982

I've just got my house back from the estate agents after years of them renting it out, and I'm now renting it directly. Got a nice new couple moving in on Saturday.

Short version
House only has an electric connection (no gas option at all)
Currently has 30 year old storage heaters
1 heater is missing!! (Don't ask)

I asked my electrician to have a look as I had a chance to get 4 Dimplex Quantums quite cheap. He said he's really going to struggle to install them as they require 2 connections. 1 on the economy 7 (no problem that wiring is already in place), and 1 with a constant live feed.

So I need a new live feed put in by each storage heater, which apparently can't be a spur from the existing ring main?

So my questions.
1. Any suggestion on how to upgrade the heaters, ie. how do I get a new constant live connection next to each storage heater?

2. My tenants are a young, low income couple with a child. Do they qualify under the Affordable Warmth scheme and would this cover the potential re-wire and consumer unit upgrade as well?

3. Any other clever ideas on how to upgrade the heating in the house without spending an absolute fortune?

Thanks!!

jk0

I'd leave things alone if you have tenants there. (You won't get any thanks for disturbing them.)

Cardew

It depends on your aim in 'upgrading' storage heaters.


Firstly your 30 year old storage heaters are equally as efficient as any other modern/new storage heaters. By 'efficiency' I mean they produce the same amount of heat for the same consumption of electricity. Some people report that modern storage heaters are better at retaing heat during the day i.e. do not 'leak' as much heat.


Quantum storage heaters simply provide additional heat using DAYTIME peak rate electricity. The only advantage is this process is automated. Exactly the same effect can be achieved by the flat occupant 'manually turning on a £10 fan heater or £30 oil filled radiator.


The Quantum heaters live feed can be a provided using a 13 amp plug into the nearest socket.



There are normally masses of old storage heaters for sale on Ebay.

coffeehound

Cardew wrote: »

Quantum storage heaters simply provide additional heat using DAYTIME peak rate electricity. The only advantage is this process is automated. Exactly the same effect can be achieved by the flat occupant 'manually turning on a £10 fan heater or £30 oil filled radiator.

Perhaps fair to state that the incorporated direct heater does have another use. Due to the high heat retention of quantum NSHs, the living spaces might need supplemental heating to bring them up to temperature first thing in the morning.

Quantum use the direct heater to bring rooms up to temperature at the user’s requested time. For an average wake-up time of say 6 or 7 am, this will be using the off-peak rate

tez1982

Cardew wrote: »

It depends on your aim in 'upgrading' storage heaters.


Firstly your 30 year old storage heaters are equally as efficient as any other modern/new storage heaters. By 'efficiency' I mean they produce the same amount of heat for the same consumption of electricity. Some people report that modern storage heaters are better at retaing heat during the day i.e. do not 'leak' as much heat.

Yup I know the efficiency hasn't really changed, unfortunately when I got the house back from the estate agents one storage heater is completely missing, and the other 2 don't seem to be producing much heat, given you can't buy the old ones any more, and parts will only be available for a limited time I figured it's time to replace / upgrade them

Cardew wrote: »

Quantum storage heaters simply provide additional heat using DAYTIME peak rate electricity. The only advantage is this process is automated. Exactly the same effect can be achieved by the flat occupant 'manually turning on a £10 fan heater or £30 oil filled radiator.

There is also the leaking less heat thing due to new insulation (aerogel etc), not just quantums but any modern storage heater.

Cardew wrote: »

The Quantum heaters live feed can be a provided using a 13 amp plug into the nearest socket.

My electrician seems to think that the regulations say you can't do that. Anyone know where I can find chapter and verse on for that? Or a modern heater that doesn't require a constant live feed?

Cardew wrote: »

There are normally masses of old storage heaters for sale on Ebay.

Yup that is were the "good deal" on the quantums I found was.

If this Affordable warmth scheme includes the necessary rewire (or I don't need to rewire) then cost is kind of irrelevant so would probably go for new quantums?

Has anyone used the affordable warmth scheme?

jk0

Just find a 2nd hand one to replace the missing one, and call it a day IIWY.

G_M

Post over here. Lots of sparkies:


https://www.diynot.com/diy/forums/electrics/