Electric storage heater

Kyaw

Hello everyone,

I have recently moved into a flat where there are electric storage heaters. I have been browsing the internet to understand how they works. There are 2 switches, one with fuse and the other without and 2 dials showing the input and output. Could anyone help explain this as I do not want to give massive bills? 

Thanks 

Gerry1

Judging by the thickness of the cables, I'd imagine that the right wall switch is the overnight supply, so it should be left on in the winter.  The fused spur is probably the expensive 24h circuit for the convector heater.  Leave it off unless you've just come back from holiday or have been caught out by a sudden cold snap.  A little experimentation in the daytime will soon confirm this.

Be aware that some modern storage heaters such as Dimplex Quantum are better insulated and have a clever fan on a 24 hour circuit to release heat only when it's needed.  In an emergency, they can also generate heat instantaneously using the 24 hour supply and the fan if they haven't been charged up overnight.  That type of storage heater always needs the 24 hour supply.

However, the slots at the top of suggest yours isn't a clever heater, just a box of bricks with a convector bolted on.  To confirm this, you need to search online for the make and model number to find the instructions.

MalMonroe

Could you ask the landlord if you're renting, or the vendor if you've bought? That might be much easier, if someone could just pop round and give you a demonstration. We once moved into a flat with storage heaters and no instructions and nobody knew what to do either! They seemed very complicated and I was glad when the whole heating system was replaced by gas! 

Gerry1

I'd guess that the switch on the side with the neon indicator is for a convector heater.  That should be left permanently switched off because it will use expensive daytime electricity.

The two knobs on the top are probably standard storage heater controls.  Left is probably input, right probably output.  Late at night you set the input to what you think will be needed to top up for the next day, based on the weather forecast, and you turn the output to the minimum setting.  The next day you turn the output up a bit in the late afternoon or evening if it's a bit chilly.  Rinse and repeat.

If you've messed up (e.g. weather turned colder unexpectedly, or you didn't select a big enough top up the night before) then you can use the side switch for instant heating, but it will cost you dearly.  That's why there's a neon: when it's on, you're being ripped off.

Not much point in asking the landlord or previous vendor: they don't pay the bills, they may not be accurately informed, and they may have a vested interest in telling you what you want to hear (that you'll be warm as toast and it will cost only pennies) rather than what may be the case (that you have been lumbered with an old, inflexible system that's expensive to run and may be under dimensioned).

But above all, don't rely on myths and guesswork, establish the facts by finding the instructions for the make and model.  Also, shop around for the best E7 tariff and make sure you know exactly when the cheap rate periods are, noting that there may be a two hour gap soon after midnight.

Kyaw

Thank you both. I have already asked the agent, which is not helpful. I will do some experimentation as you suggest.

macman

Check that you are actually on an E7 tariff. The LA will not have a clue.

Gerry1

I trust you have registered with the existing supplier and sent opening meter readings?  Don't let the agent do this, or you may end up paying for usage before you moved in.

The agent may well have trousered a brown envelope by signing you up to Spark, who have cripplingly high tariffs !  Once registered, start comparing to find a better tariff.

Kyaw

The funny thing is I cannot find the meter to read after I have moved in and I was told the landlord would do the reading. Even after I have asked for the latest reading to submit, I still have no reply yet.

Gerry1

Kyaw said:

The funny thing is I cannot find the meter to read after I have moved in and I was told the landlord would do the reading. Even after I have asked for the latest reading to submit, I still have no reply yet.

You're determined to get ripped off, aren't you?

Have you found out which company is supplying your energy?

Right now it'll be on an expensive 'deemed' tariff. 

Kyaw

I have checked it already and it is with Bulb, one of the lowest tariff, I believe.

Gerry1

Kyaw said:

I have checked it already and it is with Bulb, one of the lowest tariff, I believe.

Very unlikely I would have thought.  What are the kWh prices and the daily charge?