Storage heaters - how to be most effective and when do you start putting yours on?

miriam_d

Hi all,

It's getting cold again though not really cold yet. I live in a small flat with storage heaters. I'll be setting them tonight as I'm having people over for dinner tomorrow. I was here last winter too but honestly can't remember how much I used them or what the best way was apart from it often being cooler than expected in the evenings. My brain fog isn't being very helpful! Would appreciate the thoughts of other, more working brains.

Also I was wondering when most people turned them on or turned other heating on. It's beginning to feel a little cold in my flat but I also have two live hot water bottles in my cats and blankets. I bought a cheap thermometer and last night it said it was about 14/15 °C. I'm on a budget too so have to be pretty careful. Does anyone know roughly how much having on one storage heater costs a day?

Thanks all.

Gerry1

miriam_d wrote: »

Does anyone know roughly how much having on one storage heater costs a day?

Check out your E7 times. Take meter readings at the start and end of the cheap rate periods (check that the meter switches on time) and multiply by the cost per kWh.

Of course, the figure will include other cheap rate usage such as fridge and freezer, but it will give you a rough idea. You can make it more accurate by running the test without the heaters on and seeing what the additional consumption is. Remember that the energy used will vary depending on the amount of stored heat at the start of charging and the weather, so don't rely on just one reading.

Biscuit_Tin

miriam_d wrote: »

Hi all,

It's getting cold again though not really cold yet. I live in a small flat with storage heaters. I'll be setting them tonight as I'm having people over for dinner tomorrow. I was here last winter too but honestly can't remember how much I used them or what the best way was apart from it often being cooler than expected in the evenings. My brain fog isn't being very helpful! Would appreciate the thoughts of other, more working brains.

Also I was wondering when most people turned them on or turned other heating on. It's beginning to feel a little cold in my flat but I also have two live hot water bottles in my cats and blankets. I bought a cheap thermometer and last night it said it was about 14/15 °C. I'm on a budget too so have to be pretty careful. Does anyone know roughly how much having on one storage heater costs a day?

Thanks all.

Please be pretty careful, as it sounds like you may be displaying the early signs of the onset of hypothermia :eek:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypothermia/

miriam_d

Thank you, that's very thoughtful of you. I have CFS ME and Chronic Migraine hence the brain fog, not hypothermia! Worth checking though so thank you and it may help someone else.

Robin9

A couple of options :

1) Do you have a bill for a winter's month or quarter from last year. That will give you a cost for the month : then divide by 30 to give a daily cost

2) Switch your heaters on now - the first days use will be high as it heats up from cold so tomorrow evening read your meter (just the night rate) and then again Sunday breakfast. That will give you a consumption - : now multiply by the unit rate.

My guess a 3kw heater - 60/80 p a night


PS Don't get cold - 14/15 is not good for you (even with live heating from your cats)

miriam_d

Gerry1 wrote: »

Check out your E7 times. Take meter readings at the start and end of the cheap rate periods (check that the meter switches on time|) and multiply by the cost per kWh.

Of course, the figure will include other cheap rate usage such as fridge and freezer, but it will give you a rough idea. You can make it more accurate by running the test without the heaters on and seeing what the additional consumption is. Remember that the energy used will vary depending on the amount of stored heat at the start of charging and the weather, so don't rely on just one reading.

Thanks, there's really helpful. I'll try to remember to check the readings tonight before I go to bed and tomorrow. Thanks for being a second brain!

miriam_d

Robin9 wrote: »

A couple of options :

1) Do you have a bill for a winter's month or quarter from last year. That will give you a cost for the month : then divide by 30 to give a daily cost

2) Switch your heaters on now - the first days use will be high as it heats up from cold so tomorrow evening read your meter (just the night rate) and then again Sunday breakfast. That will give you a consumption - : now multiply by the unit rate.

My guess a 3kw heater - 60/80 p a night


PS Don't get cold - 14/15 is not good for you (even with live heating from your cats)

Thanks, that's a great suggestion, I don't know why I didn't think of dividing up last year's bills like that. I'll do that and check the readings as suggested too.