E7 all electric flat

RedFraggle

Thanks everyone. That's super helpful. There are large brick built balconies on all the flats so ashp not ruled out in future. 

matelodave

I would have thought that a fan heater would be more effective for a quick warm up in the bedroom whilst getting dressed etc than having a panel heater on for an hour or so. Get a timer or even remote switch so you can switch it on a few mins before you get up, especially if you get up before 7 in the morning for an early shower. 

TBH the place you need warm is the bathroom, take your clothes in and get dressed in there so you wont need much heat in the bedroom at all.

Scot_39

Moving a storage heater may require additional wiring e.g. my NSH heaters are fed via dedicated MCB protected spurs (point to point) from the consumer unit.

Costs

In a well insulated modern flat, if your 1st floor etc, the heat loss through floor and/or ceiling should be small - assuming flats above and below are occupied.

Yes - electric heating is traditionally more expensive than gas etc - but the Western world isn't going to get over Russian supply loss quickly.  And the last renewables autions had 9GW of solar and OSFW at CfD's just over 4.3p (2022 pricing) / kWh wholesale.

And by 2030 - all new builds fully electric.

For many electric has lower service costs etc. (Many pay £100s for gas CH boiler and radiator breakdown/annual service plans etc. That sort of level of cost covers months of electric vs gas bills for many in smaller properties.

I have 3 old NSH - originals as built c25 years - I've been here 15 - in a small 2 bed terrace.

Panel heaters in bedrooms and fan in kitchen (never used), hall NSHs enough if doors open during day - in winter use fan in bathroom (10-15 min max daily)

Older NSH need adjustment as outside temp/weather fluctuates. It can take a bit of guesswork initially. I just wind the core temperature up (input control) slowly as temp drops in winter and reverse as they rise in spring.

(I have E10 and so the NSH can actually charge 3 times a day when required - so 'input' can be set lower than E7 - and even if I have set too low - I can use other heat sources - e.g. afternoon and evening in living room - at off peak rates to boost.)

Only time the 3 NSH's alone really struggled was "the beast from East" when about -5C daytime and left loft hatch open to protect pipes for a few days. And some with 'cheaper' gas - had their combi boiler condensor drain pipes freeze - so lost GCH - swings and roundabouts.

Switching

Not all E7 deals priced the same in past.

The headline EPG 34p doesn't apply directly to separate day / night rates tarrifs - so by all means have a look around. 

But others appear to be struggling to switch right now.

RedFraggle

Scot_39 said:

Moving a storage heater may require additional wiring e.g. my NSH heaters are fed via dedicated MCB protected spurs (point to point) from the consumer unit.

Costs

In a well insulated modern flat, if your 1st floor etc, the heat loss through floor and/or ceiling should be small - assuming flats above and below are occupied.

Yes - electric heating is traditionally more expensive than gas etc - but the Western world isn't going to get over Russian supply loss quickly.  And the last renewables autions had 9GW of solar and OSFW at CfD's just over 4.3p (2022 pricing) / kWh wholesale.

And by 2030 - all new builds fully electric.

For many electric has lower service costs etc. (Many pay £100s for gas CH boiler and radiator breakdown/annual service plans etc. That sort of level of cost covers months of electric vs gas bills for many in smaller properties.

I have 3 old NSH - originals as built c25 years - I've been here 15 - in a small 2 bed terrace.

Panel heaters in bedrooms and fan in kitchen (never used), hall NSHs enough if doors open during day - in winter use fan in bathroom (10-15 min max daily)

Older NSH need adjustment as outside temp/weather fluctuates. It can take a bit of guesswork initially. I just wind the core temperature up (input control) slowly as temp drops in winter and reverse as they rise in spring.

(I have E10 and so the NSH can actually charge 3 times a day when required - so 'input' can be set lower than E7 - and even if I have set too low - I can use other heat sources - e.g. afternoon and evening in living room - at off peak rates to boost.)

Only time the 3 NSH's alone really struggled was "the beast from East" when about -5C daytime and left loft hatch open to protect pipes for a few days. And some with 'cheaper' gas - had their combi boiler condensor drain pipes freeze - so lost GCH - swings and roundabouts.

Switching

Not all E7 deals priced the same in past.

The headline EPG 34p doesn't apply directly to separate day / night rates tarrifs - so by all means have a look around. 

But others appear to be struggling to switch right now.

Thanks. The consumer units (3) are in a cupboard right next to where I'd want the NSH in that bedroom so wiring should be straightforward.

Underneath my bedroom is a garage so I'm planning on thermal underlay and thick carpets.

All up in the air at present as they refused my house cat which my vendor is appealing against. Never simple is it!

RedFraggle

Brief update....
I now own the flat and am moving this week. An unexpected bonus from my employer has allowed me to upgrade the NSH in the lounge and kitchen and  quantums are going in today. If I was going to save up and do it I may as well have the benefit now. I'll see how the rest goes but should be able to update or upgrade the rest before winter if needed. 
Lucky to find a Dimplex registered sparky locally who was extremely helpful. 

Alnat1

Thanks for the update and glad it's all worked out so well for you. Hope your new home is a happy one 

EssexHebridean

Ahh this is fab news - congrats on your new home! Shout up if there is anything you're not sure about on the Quantums too - someone here will be able to help! (I can't remember if you said but if they are not being installed onto a circuit that is only live when the off-peak rate kicks in, then remember to make sure that the input programming has been set correctly)

RedFraggle

Thanks. There's an E7 circuit to protect me from messing up. Also got the thermal store fixed today so I'll have heating and hot water when I move in! Bonus!

Gerry1

If your Quantum is only supplied by a single circuit it must be 24h.

Consider limiting the hours for which the boost heater can run, and take great care that it's following the meter times precisely (there may be two ons and two offs).

RedFraggle

It isn't. The existing NSH had 24hr and E7 supply so all good.