Help with Storage Heaters & Economy 7

York_Fella

Thanks all!

Sadly, I still do not see how this can be timed. Of the two storage heaters which have two outlets in the wall, it appears one switch is indeed for a 'boost' function and the other is not. However, I thought the other one was an E7 controlled outlet, as suggested, but the heater still heats up when this is switched on, regardless of the time. Turning the 'boost' outlet on as well just seems to turn on a fan and it gets warm very quickly.

Perhaps I am missing something, but I thought it would not heat up until midnight? I thus do not see why E7 is of any benefit? Unless I only turn the heaters on, manually, before I go to bed? I wouldn't usually care so much, but my partner works from home every day and so house is actually occupied during the more expensive day time rate! As it stands, these 'storage heaters' work like normal heaters for me, with the benefit that they stay warm for hours after I switch them off - why can't I just turn them on for an hour each evening?

Landlord doesn't seem to know - I doubt he's ever lived here, and I reckon the old tenant(s) didn't really care. But I do. My question now is it possible to switch from double tariff meter to flat tariff? Energy companies seem to think so. I am worried this might affect the storage heaters? Some wiring or something? It indeed could be connected to the meter, after all, but I just do not see how? Would the energy companies know? I would want a traditional meter installed (to replace the double tariff traditional meter), not a smart one, and would be willing to pay to have a new meter installed (I am aware smart meters are free).

I am clueless to all this, I am sorry. But could a situation arise where a new (traditional) meter is installed and the heaters suddenly do not work?

Talldave

I think it's time for photos of the wiring around the meter and consumer unit(s). This might help determine if you have two circuits (one 24hr, one 7hr) or one cicuit (24hr). If it's the latter, you'll have to fit timeswitches to the storage heaters to synchronise their operation to the meter's economy 7 hours.

York_Fella

Have contacted landlord and the electrician the landlord uses. Hopefully gonna get it checked very soon.

After answering the electrician's questions I am certain there is no timer and its not linked up properly at all. Unsure how long its been like this. Moved in 3-4 weeks ago but want to get it all sorted before winter comes.

Gerry1

As previously suggested, you need to confirm exactly when the E7 cheap rate times are.  Have you watched the meter switch over?  Switching times vary across the country, but you can get an idea here.

All electricity on E7 is cheap at the cheap rate times regardless of whether the circuit is switched.  You have a separate circuit for the combi heater and it should be switched by the meter.  If both outlets to the combi are always live then it's not wired correctly.  If you jiggle the switch slightly when the heater is cold you may be able to hear it spark if you listen very closely.  Shame that the installer was a cheapskate and didn't fit outlets with neon indicators !

BTW have you registered with the existing supplier and sent them the opening meter readings?  If not, you'll be on an expensive deemed tariff and might even be paying for the previous occupant's usage.  If it's Spark, switch away immediately !

JohnM5206

I will divert this topic to ask if you contacted the power supplier and registered your new occupancy. That is the supplier who was supplying the previous tenant. Also, take photographs of the readings on the meter and supply those readings to the current power supplier.
You may already have done this since you have checked the day/night readings are increasing correctly.

jbuchanangb

The heaters with two connections will have one which is for off peak electricity only, and is for the storage aspect of the heater, and the other connection for a convection type heater, which can be used any time. The meter should have a connection to the off peak circuits to activate them when the meter switches from day rate to night rate. As suggested please upload some pictures of your meter installations so that people here can confirm this.