Storage heaters and economy 7

nabznab1

Hi all,

So before I get into the nitty gritty I just want to say I am a total newbie with energy bills etc. as bought my first flat and shortly moving in, so slowly learning the ropes. 

The property in question is a 2 bed maisonette which I bought back in 2019. I’ve had to let it out since then due to medical reasons but now I’m finally fit enough to move back in it with my wife and 4 year old. 

The place is set on an economy 7 meter and is fully electric. It has an immersion water heater. 

As I was very new to this, I made a massive mistake. A few months ago I got rid of 2 bulky and very heavy heaters attached to the wall. I hadn’t realised these were storage heaters. I got them both replaced by some slim wall mountable electric heaters (I’m an idiot I know). The other reason for getting rid of them was I couldn’t get them to turn on so thought they may have been faulty. I hadn’t noticed this was likely due to the fact they were on a timer to start on off peak hours at night. Even the handyman who removed the heaters couldn’t figure this out! 

It wasn’t until I did a lot of research on this thread I realised how stupid my error was. 

I am now contemplating on a couple of options:
1) get off economy 7 meter to standard tariff 
2) stay on eco 7 and re-install new storage heaters
3) stay on eco 7 for the purpose of keeping the immersion water heater on at night. 

What shall I do other than turn back time?

I did notice however that I still have one storage heater that’s just inside the entrance of the property. 

I do have another question. The handyman who installed my electric heaters connected it using the existing wiring of the storage heaters. When we tried turning these on, they didn’t seem to work- is this because they too are connected to the economy 7 meter and so timed to go on at night?

I’m very confused with all this and know I made some bad mistakes only hoping I won’t make them again in the future. 

Would appreciate some advice. 

Many thanks 

EssexHebridean

Firstly, using a handyman for electrical work - and particularly anything involving E7 circuits - is a brave, some might even say foolish false economy. Electricians all the way for this sort of thing!

I assume getting gas central heating installed isn't an option for you?

Assuming not, then if I were you I would look to get new storage heaters installed - it won't be cheap, but neither would trying to heat your home on day-rate electricity all winter either! 

And yes - the reason your heaters weren't working during the day would have been that they were wired in to a circuit which only became live when the night rate kicked in. 

I'm afraid that this can really only be reversed by spending some more money, although I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear. 

nabznab1

Yes I thought that might be the case. But do you think staying on E7 due to the immersion water heater will still help? 

pochase

If you can afford it get new storage heaters. It will save a lot of money in the long run.

DE_612183

usually an E7 meter records ALL electricity during the periods regardless of the appliance used.

So the storage heater if being used at night will still get E7 cheap rate, as will thinks like the washing machine and tumble dryer.

However, if you had storage heaters - make sure you do have an E7 meter - there are also meters which are just wired for off peak usage to one set of appliances ( normally storage heaters ).

Your electrician should be able to tell you which srt up you have,

nabznab1

DE_612183 said:

usually an E7 meter records ALL electricity during the periods regardless of the appliance used.

So the storage heater if being used at night will still get E7 cheap rate, as will thinks like the washing machine and tumble dryer.

However, if you had storage heaters - make sure you do have an E7 meter - there are also meters which are just wired for off peak usage to one set of appliances ( normally storage heaters ).

Your electrician should be able to tell you which srt up you have,

Yh I’ve called an electrician and he saying it really depends on how much you end up using during the night and winter months. I guess I may try to get an estimate of how much I’m using currently and if it seems viable, I’ll fork out some money on a storage heater upstairs

DE_612183

nabznab1 said:

DE_612183 said:

usually an E7 meter records ALL electricity during the periods regardless of the appliance used.

So the storage heater if being used at night will still get E7 cheap rate, as will thinks like the washing machine and tumble dryer.

However, if you had storage heaters - make sure you do have an E7 meter - there are also meters which are just wired for off peak usage to one set of appliances ( normally storage heaters ).

Your electrician should be able to tell you which srt up you have,

Yh I’ve called an electrician and he saying it really depends on how much you end up using during the night and winter months. I guess I may try to get an estimate of how much I’m using currently and if it seems viable, I’ll fork out some money on a storage heater upstairs

what I would advsie is to take meter readings about midnight and then 7am for a number of days to see what you are using - then it's just a simple equation to see if it's worthwhile or not

mark_cycling00

Each apartment might have two separate circuits. One for E7 and one for normal, each with a fuse box

And all your neighbours think that if they put the washing machine on at 1am then they will be saving money.... grrr

nabznab1

DE_612183 said:

nabznab1 said:

DE_612183 said:

usually an E7 meter records ALL electricity during the periods regardless of the appliance used.

So the storage heater if being used at night will still get E7 cheap rate, as will thinks like the washing machine and tumble dryer.

However, if you had storage heaters - make sure you do have an E7 meter - there are also meters which are just wired for off peak usage to one set of appliances ( normally storage heaters ).

Your electrician should be able to tell you which srt up you have,

Yh I’ve called an electrician and he saying it really depends on how much you end up using during the night and winter months. I guess I may try to get an estimate of how much I’m using currently and if it seems viable, I’ll fork out some money on a storage heater upstairs

what I would advsie is to take meter readings about midnight and then 7am for a number of days to see what you are using - then it's just a simple equation to see if it's worthwhile or not

Yh makes sense. Thanks. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

what are you going to use for heat during the day if new slimline heaters are wired to night circuit?

nabznab1

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

what are you going to use for heat during the day if new slimline heaters are wired to night circuit?

It’s a good question. Can I not override it to work on during the day when I need to?