Electric Heaters - upgrade options?

CreativeMonkey

Hello,

My 2-bed flat is currently heated by Heatstore 1.5kW heaters, one in each room.
Although the size of the rooms is different,  20 sqm, 15 sqm, and 13 sqm respectively, they all have the same power output.
That being said, it takes a very long time and a lot of power to get any of these rooms to a decent temperature.
There's no option for gas and I am trying to figure out the best way to warm up the place and manage the costs at the same time.
I've looked into various electric heaters (oil, gel, ceramic, hopes&dreams etc) but none of them convinced me they'll do a better job than what I currently have.
At the same time, I think the current heaters are underpowered and it would be good if I can find suitable upgrades.
I need heating during the evenings and early in the morning, I work from home just one day per week.
I have a smart meter and I am on a single tariff at the moment.
Useful advice would be greatly appreciated.

MattMattMattUK

Are those panel heaters, or an older model of storage heater, I am guessing panel?

The output rating needs to factor in insulation as well, 1.5kW could be more than enough in a well insulated properly, or totally inadequate in a less insulated property. 

Storage heaters would be cheaper to run as you can charge them on the low night rate, but must more expensive upfront. Anything else run by electricity is exactly the same, 100% efficient, so it make little difference. A higher rating will mean it can kick out more heat, but it will use more whilst doing so. 

How well insulated is the flat, draughts, double glazing, that kind of thing?

CreativeMonkey

MattMattMattUK said:

Are those panel heaters, or an older model of storage heater, I am guessing panel?

The output rating needs to factor in insulation as well, 1.5kW could be more than enough in a well insulated properly, or totally inadequate in a less insulated property. 

Storage heaters would be cheaper to run as you can charge them on the low night rate, but must more expensive upfront. Anything else run by electricity is exactly the same, 100% efficient, so it make little difference. A higher rating will mean it can kick out more heat, but it will use more whilst doing so. 

How well insulated is the flat, draughts, double glazing, that kind of thing?

The building is from the 70s, the EPC file says it has good wall insulation but poor roof insulation (top floor flat). I've asked professionals if the ceiling can be insulated better and the answer was no because there's not enough space (only 20cm available above the ceiling). It has double-glazed windows all around the flat and they are quite large.

MattMattMattUK

What is the roof above your flat, is there any opportunity to insulate that space, or is that the 20cm gap to a flat roof? It might be worth asking for a second opinion on the insulation at the top, I would imagine that even dropping the ceiling by 5cm to add insulation could make a big difference.

Do you have blinds/curtains as even double glazed windows can lose a fair amount of heat?

drsquirrel

Electric heating (besides going ASHP etc) is going to give you a 1:1 output.

If you want the rooms to heat FASTER, you need a bigger kw output. Thermostat will keep your desired temperature so it shouldn't cost you any more money. It could even be less as you get to heat more on demand than trying to guess ahead of time.

If its not spreading around the room that well, I would look at convection heaters, should help move air around like double panels radiators.

Otherwise should look into storage heaters like MattMattMattUK said if you can get split priced energy.

CreativeMonkey

MattMattMattUK said:

What is the roof above your flat, is there any opportunity to insulate that space, or is that the 20cm gap to a flat roof? It might be worth asking for a second opinion on the insulation at the top, I would imagine that even dropping the ceiling by 5cm to add insulation could make a big difference.

Do you have blinds/curtains as even double glazed windows can lose a fair amount of heat?

It's a flat roof above the flat and I also asked if the ceiling can be dropped to accommodate the insulation. I was told that would be an expensive job at this point... I have blinds all around and curtains in the large bedroom. I am thinking about putting up thick curtains in the other two. 

I have the option to switch to economy 7 should I decide to go for storage heaters. However, I am not usually at home during the day and my concern is that all that heat is lost by the time I get home in the evening.

EssexHebridean

With modern storage heaters that is less of an issue. The two we have going currently - one is an older type standard Dimplex XLN model, that was turned to input around 2/3rds of the way round overnight, and currently at time of writing it’s still too hot to leave your hand in contact with the vent for more than a few seconds. Yesterday at the same input level it was still pumping out warmth - albeit at a far more gentle level, by 2200.  We also have a more up to date and controllable Quantum which is a high heat retention model - that was on in the morning, and will come back on as programmed later this afternoon - and I expect it then to pump out heat through until it’s programmed “off” time at 2230. 

CreativeMonkey

EssexHebridean said:

With modern storage heaters that is less of an issue. The two we have going currently - one is an older type standard Dimplex XLN model, that was turned to input around 2/3rds of the way round overnight, and currently at time of writing it’s still too hot to leave your hand in contact with the vent for more than a few seconds. Yesterday at the same input level it was still pumping out warmth - albeit at a far more gentle level, by 2200.  We also have a more up to date and controllable Quantum which is a high heat retention model - that was on in the morning, and will come back on as programmed later this afternoon - and I expect it then to pump out heat through until it’s programmed “off” time at 2230. 

Thank you, that is really useful info. I'll look more into storage heaters and try to find someone willing to do some insulation work above the ceiling.

chris_n

Assuming you own the flat is it possible to fit an air to air heat pump (AKA Air conditioning), these can generate 3-4 times the heat of a standard electric heater for the same energy consumption. If it isn't possible to fit the external unit of a standard unit it is possible to buy a through the wall variant that involves having 2 large holes drilled through the wall. These are a bit noisier, don't know if that's a problem for you.