New storage heaters - which ones?

Riablo

We had our bungalow re-assessed for the EPC and it achieved an E rating (previously an F) so we are now free to fit whatever heaters we want and not restricted to heaters that will improve the EPC rating for renting out.

As some of the messages above had stated I think only certain heaters are approved for EPC requirements and although other heaters may have the same energy efficiency if they arent on the list then they wont improve the EPC.

So - now that we are free to put in what want what would you recommend? We have another property that has wall mounted thermostatically regulated electric heaters and our tenant seems happy with them. They provide instant heat in the form of a panel that heats up and also a fan for an extra (but presumably more expensive) burst of heat when needed. Thinking we might get a suitable number of these as they seem reasonably priced and reasonable to run and heat the small rooms up quickly.

Ultimately I think we will need storage heaters if they restrict EPC requirements further down the line, but hopefully the technology may have improved more by then and/or prices may have gone down...or maybe I'm just being too hopeful!

Fire_Fox

Riablo wrote: »

We have another property that has wall mounted thermostatically regulated electric heaters and our tenant seems happy with them. They provide instant heat in the form of a panel that heats up and also a fan for an extra (but presumably more expensive) burst of heat when needed. Thinking we might get a suitable number of these as they seem reasonably priced and reasonable to run and heat the small rooms up quickly.

My small apartment block has electric radiant panel heaters with grille fronts and vents on the bottom (fitted by the developer). Most of the flats are let out, including mine when I first owned it.

There have been at least two incidents of tenants using the heaters to dry laundry indoors, leading to it smouldering (mine had smoke damage in one room, another had water damage too).

The enamelled metal casing gets quite hot on anything but low settings, so unsafe for small children and cats (mine walks along the top).

Dust and pet fluff get inside through the grille/ vents, so ideally they would be opened and cleaned out annually. If not the dust and fluff are 'pushed' back out when first used in Autumn, affecting occupants with allergies or respiratory problems (eg. asthma).

They need more clearance for furniture than some other types of electric heaters. This limits furniture placement, and could be a safety issue.

I hate them, and am intending to replace ours with electric radiators/ flush or flat panel heaters without grilles/ vents.

HTH.

Riablo

Thanks that's really useful.

We've been considering it more from how effectively they heat the room as the previous owner didnt have enough heaters in and the agent advised us that tenants had said it was cold in winter so we've mainly just wanted to make sure the tenants are comfortable, but these are defintiely factors to consider as well. In fact the unit we have just let out which already has these type of heaters we have had to be clear that no laundry is to be dried over the heaters, but if we could eliminate the risk even better.

thickasabrick

Might be worth looking at far infra red heating panels.

We have three far infrared heating panels, one in the living room, one in the bedroom and one in the study. I prefer the way they heat compared to electric convection or gas central heating. Although we have gas central heating so our useage is mixed. In terms of running costs I have no idea how it compares to storage heaters.

This article by Jeff Rhys-Jones describes converting his house to all far infrared heating.
https://www.acchaus.com/blog/far-infrared-heating-its-heating-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it/

Fire_Fox wrote: »

My small apartment block has electric radiant panel heaters with grille fronts and vents on the bottom (fitted by the developer). Most of the flats are let out, including mine when I first owned it.

There have been at least two incidents of tenants using the heaters to dry laundry indoors, leading to it smouldering (mine had smoke damage in one room, another had water damage too).

The enamelled metal casing gets quite hot on anything but low settings, so unsafe for small children and cats (mine walks along the top).

Dust and pet fluff get inside through the grille/ vents, so ideally they would be opened and cleaned out annually. If not the dust and fluff are 'pushed' back out when first used in Autumn, affecting occupants with allergies or respiratory problems (eg. asthma).

They need more clearance for furniture than some other types of electric heaters. This limits furniture placement, and could be a safety issue.

I hate them, and am intending to replace ours with electric radiators/ flush or flat panel heaters without grilles/ vents.

HTH.

Riablo

Following on from Firefox's reply we think that electric radiators without grills/vents would be a good option - now just to decide which one sto go for.

I've been looking at the wall mounted oil filled radiators with timer and thermostat but haven't been able to find much information about how good these heaters are and I've seen a lot advertised as for occasional use only or only for well insulated areas which is making me wonder whether they are any good, in which case we might be back at convector heaters, which I agree are not the best option for tenants.

I think the infrared ones are probably out of our budget this time round.

jk0

Good grief Riablo.


Just buy some 2nd hand storage heaters from ebay, and connect to spurbox timeswitches... Job's a goodun.