Turn off Storage heaters and use oil filled radiators?

TheGardener

HI. DD is moving into her first flat with her partner. The flat has 20 y.o. storage heaters. Both will be out at work all day. It's a period property and they are on the 3rd floor - big windows and great views overlooking the moors - so potentially quite chilly. There is good double glazing and thick curtains.
We've had a brief look at the heaters and they seem old and clunky. One thought was to simply turn them off and use oil-filled radiators on a timer plug? Or should they persevere and learn how to use these old heaters. The water is a large Pulsacoil 2000 immersion tank. A decision will affect the choice of energy tariff I guess. 
Any thoughts appreciated. 

MattMattMattUK

TheGardener said:

HI. DD is moving into her first flat with her partner. The flat has 20 y.o. storage heaters. Both will be out at work all day. It's a period property and they are on the 3rd floor - big windows and great views overlooking the moors - so potentially quite chilly. There is good double glazing and thick curtains.
We've had a brief look at the heaters and they seem old and clunky. One thought was to simply turn them off and use oil-filled radiators on a timer plug? Or should they persevere and learn how to use these old heaters. The water is a large Pulsacoil 2000 immersion tank. A decision will affect the choice of energy tariff I guess. 
Any thoughts appreciated. 

On an E7 tariff the storage heaters will be considerably cheaper to run, but you they need to work correctly and be used correctly. If on E7 the water should be heated at night, but the tank should last several days if of adequate size. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

here's a wee VIDEO on how to use the heaters, maybe not the same model but should be similar workings.

markin

If they own they could upgrade some to better insulated ones that keep the heat till the evening.

Modern High Heat Retention.
https://www.storageheatersales.co.uk/high-heat-retention-storage-heaters.html

TheGardener

markin said:

If they own they could upgrade some to better insulated ones that keep the heat till the evening.

Modern High Heat Retention.
https://www.storageheatersales.co.uk/high-heat-retention-storage-heaters.html

Sadly not an option - they are first-time renters

TheGardener

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

here's a wee VIDEO on how to use the heaters, maybe not the same model but should be similar workings.

Wow - excellent video for storage heater newbies. That's really helpful. Thank You.

Robin9

TheGardener said:

HI. DD is moving into her first flat with her partner................................. The water is a large Pulsacoil 2000 immersion tank. A decision will affect the choice of energy tariff I guess. 
Any thoughts appreciated. 

Has this got a time switch or control in the kitchen. Make sure it is set to timed and DO NOT use any boost button (othersise you will end up using day rates for the hot water )

Just a reminder about taking over the supply. She MUST contact the existing supplier and give both the day and night meter readings -  resist any pressure to take a fixed tariff.

Read those meters at least monthly and give them to the supplier -  keep their own records.

Be prepared for very, very big bills -  they are going to be  horrendous for most of us.

Invest is draught excluders and thick curtains.

wittynamegoeshere

You can hope you've got someone living below who likes a bit of heat.  I know someone who hardly had to bother with any heating in his flat, as there was so much heat rising up from the floor.

The amount of insulation between the flats varies massively, mainly depending on how long ago it was built or converted.  But some have almost nothing.

If you're at work all day then it may be a borderline decision - the storage heaters may not have much heat left in them by the time you actually want it.  So your cheap rate electricity may end up more expensive as a result of wasting lots of it while you're not there

Bear in mind that if you want cheap night-time electricity then you usually pay more than the standard tariff for daytime power.

So the worst case is that you waste lots of the stored heat and pay extra to boost heat after it runs out.

If so then your idea about oil filled radiators may make sense.  Definitely try it out and work it out for yourself, you might as well, as it's all there already.  It's not a simple answer.

worrywart_3

As first time renters inwould
tey and find a
dofferent property to be honest 

TheGardener

worrywart_3 said:

As first time renters inwould
tey and find a
dofferent property to be honest 

It is hard to find the perfect flat -some are let within hours and it's been a long slog to get one in time for a move to start a new job. We are aware of its shortcomings but it ticks more boxes than it crosses and hopefully, it will be temporary - they will begin house hunting asap after Christmas.