Replacement storage heaters (electric only flat, no gas supply)

JayS90

Hi all,

Just had a quote from a company to replace two of my old storage heaters (living room & master bedroom) plus a small-ish electric radiator (small bedroom). I was interested to hear some opinions on whether the quote is fair and whether it could be done for a bit cheaper.

Property is a ground floor flat, electric only (no gas supply).

Quote is for:

1 x RF Dimplex Quantum Smart Storage Heater QM150 3.3KW (W1069mm H-730mm D185mm)
1 x RF Dimplex Quantum Smart Storage Heater QM100 2.2KW (W-865mm H-730mm D185mm)
1 x RF Dimplex Panel Heater QRad 1500W (W-756mm H-546mm D105mm)
Labour & Material for Electrical Installations - dual supply and provide circuit protection c/w new switching
Recycling & Disposal of Waste
Test & Commission Heating System
Supply Electrical Certificate

Sub Total: 2,803.70
Standard Rate (20%): 560.74

Total £3,364.44

*** I am yet to double check whether the two storage heaters used in the quote match to what is currently installed which I will do so when I'm home, I guess if I feel like I can get away with some lower spec/smaller ones then that could be a potential area to lower the cost?

I'm also very much open to hearing about alternatives to replacing the storage heaters. I've done some research (IR panel heaters, heat pump systems etc.) but I've found it difficult to work out what would suit my needs if I'm honest.

worlestone

I've been looking at replacing our storage heaters, 40 year old Dimplex units, with Quantums, but have not gone through with this yet.  However, the costs look reasonable to me..

QM150 @ £880
QM100 @ £807
QRad   @ £350
Total       £2037 (inc VAT)

Labour @ £260 per day, one maybe two days? So £520 depends on where you are in the country.

dual supply wiring will be more expensive if running new cabling through concrete floors or additional circuitry, note you said circuit protection, so maybe a new main board? That's £250 for quality.

I'm sure someone better qualified will be along shortly

Risteard

worlestone said:

I've been looking at replacing our storage heaters, 40 year old Dimplex units, with Quantums, but have not gone through with this yet.  However, the costs look reasonable to me..

QM150 @ £880
QM100 @ £807
QRad   @ £350
Total       £2037 (inc VAT)

Labour @ £260 per day, one maybe two days? So £520 depends on where you are in the country.

dual supply wiring will be more expensive if running new cabling through concrete floors or additional circuitry, note you said circuit protection, so maybe a new main board? That's £250 for quality.

I'm sure someone better qualified will be along shortly

£260 seems very cheap for labour.

starving_artist

why are storage heaters so expensive?

JayS90

worlestone said:

I've been looking at replacing our storage heaters, 40 year old Dimplex units, with Quantums, but have not gone through with this yet.  However, the costs look reasonable to me..

QM150 @ £880
QM100 @ £807
QRad   @ £350
Total       £2037 (inc VAT)

Labour @ £260 per day, one maybe two days? So £520 depends on where you are in the country.

dual supply wiring will be more expensive if running new cabling through concrete floors or additional circuitry, note you said circuit protection, so maybe a new main board? That's £250 for quality.

I'm sure someone better qualified will be along shortly

Thanks for your input worlestone!

starving_artist said:

why are storage heaters so expensive?

Tell me about it starving_artist they're also expensive to run especially given the current situation with energy prices.

Since my original post I've been thinking about alternatives. I'm considering forgetting about replacement storage heaters altogether and installing two Daikin (Model: FTXA / RXA - AB) AC units (one in the living room and one in the main bedroom). If my understanding is correct they offer superior energy efficiency as well as better control/on-demand heating and cooling, so great for the summer too. Apart from the cost (likely to be approx the same as replacement storage heaters if not a little more) my main challenge will be gaining freeholder permission to install the outdoor unit, but luckily I'm ground floor and it should help that it can be well hidden at ground level likely behind some shrubbery.

Any opinions on this idea? Have I overlooked anything that might put a spanner in the works?