Are modern storage heaters a good alternative?

cbrid01

My disabled daughter has been offered a grant by the Scottish Gov., to change her current electric radiators to Quatum storage heaters which they say will save her money (Current electricity DD is cost £140 - which is 2 weeks benefit money) We changed from VERY old storage heaters a few years ago mainly because they couldn't provide a constant heat and had lost all their heat by dinner time. I know we would have to change back to an Economy 7 type tariff but my main question - does anyone know if the new, modern storage heaters able to provide high reliable heat for an infirm person? If it is a choice between intermittent low heat and low cost or reliable decent heat and high cost then the latter has to win because of her medical needs. (no alternative to electric possible)

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

First the bad news. Modern storage heaters, or any other electrical heater, do not produce any more heat for the same electrical consumption than older electrical heaters of any type. They are all 100% efficient in the heat they produce.

However the advantage of modern storage heaters is that they 'leak' less heat than the old models and the output is more controllable.

The Quantum heaters have a 'normal' heater as well as a modern storage heater. These normal heaters 'kick in' to maintain the desired set temperature; but they will be using expensive daytime electricity rates which are higher on an Economy 7 tariff than a 'normal' 24/7 tariff.

tacpot12

If mains gas isn't available, then a storage heater that also has an instantaneous heater mode is the next best thing.

Gerry1

Yes, full price electricity is extremely expensive so provided that they are correctly dimensioned (i.e. have sufficient capacity for the room sizes, heat losses etc) they're probably the least worst option if you can't get gas. Beware of anyone who offers a low price because they'll be tiddlers that won't be up to the job.

Also, take time to make sure that they are appropriately programmed (operating hours, temperatures etc), don't just rely on the default settings.

Needless to say, make sure that you take monthly meter readings and that you are on the best tariff !

coffeehound

Dimplex claims that from independent testing:

Dimplex Quantum is proven to be up to 27% cheaper to run than a standard storage heater system, and up to 47% cheaper to run than an electric convector or radiator system.

https://www.dimplex.co.uk/blog/mythbusters-quantum-vs-night-storage-heaters

Cardew

Dimplex Quantum is proven to be up to 27% cheaper to run than a standard storage heater system, and up to 47% cheaper to run than an electric convector or radiator system.

I wish a quality firm like Dimplex wouldn't use a meaningless term like 'Up to'

If they are 0.0001% cheaper to run their statement is accurate.

matelodave

As Gerry says, they need to be correctly rated to provide sufficient heat for the space. A heater that is too small wont store or deliver enough heat and will need to use the supplementary heater (on peak price electricity) to make up the shortfall.

You do really need to make proper heat loss calculations for each room that has to be heated rather than just a basic length x breadth x height estimate to ensure that the units are properly specified.

coffeehound

Cardew wrote: »

I wish a quality firm like Dimplex wouldn't use a meaningless term like 'Up to'

If they are 0.0001% cheaper to run their statement is accurate.

Agreed; it probably makes many people less likely to believe the message, which is poor marketing.

Anyway perhaps the most useful quote from their research for the OP's situation is

... this comparison study showed that [Quantum] heating systems using an E7 tariff on average reduce running costs compared with Direct Acting systems using a Standard Rate tariff by between 45 and 47%.

Cardew

.. this comparison study showed that [Quantum] heating systems using an E7 tariff on average reduce running costs compared with Direct Acting systems using a Standard Rate tariff by between 45 and 47%

That simply confirms that any storage heating on an E7 tariff is cheaper to run than 'direct Acting systems' using a standard tariff.

There is nothing that makes Quantum heaters inherently cheaper to run than a storage heater and using any other form of electrical heating to keep the room at the desired temperature. The advantage of the Quantum is that it automatically uses both of its heaters to achieve that temperature.

Gerry1

Cardew wrote: »

There is nothing that makes Quantum heaters inherently cheaper to run than a storage heater and using any other form of electrical heating to keep the room at the desired temperature.

Unlike the simple 1970s box of bricks, it seems that the Quantum is better insulated and doesn't heat by plain convection. Instead it uses a fan to blow heat downwards and out at the bottom. Therefore, if it's a mild day the fan won't kick in and it will retain most of its heat, whereas an old style storage heater would still be merrily leaking heat and turning the room into a sauna.

Similarly, clever timing controls mean that it won't charge up when not required. If it's correctly adjusted it should seldom need to use peak time electricity, except for the very small amount used by the fan.

coffeehound

Cardew wrote: »

That simply confirms that any storage heating on an E7 tariff is cheaper to run than 'direct Acting systems' using a standard tariff.

There is nothing that makes Quantum heaters inherently cheaper to run than a storage heater and using any other form of electrical heating to keep the room at the desired temperature. The advantage of the Quantum is that it automatically uses both of its heaters to achieve that temperature.

Yes apparently the high-heat-retention NSHs offer savings over the older generation heaters of something like a quarter. That figure including 10% of the heating being done using peak-rate electricity - something that a right-minded MSEer would probably lock out. But the figure should be representative for the OP's situation where they need to maintain a safe ambient temperature. The comparison was carried out by an independent industry expert so looks legit.