Looking at upgrading my old storage heaters and would really appreciate help.

Olly_J

MARKMAKAVELI said:

With the Eco7 prices going up another 8%... this just isn't adding up for me.

If it helps my EAC back in 2020 was around 5900kw annually with the 3 Quantum storage heaters, 80% of that was night usage generally, and was based on working from home a few days a week and generally around at weekends set to 21c.

Unit cost in 2015/16 was around £580 for the 100's and £625 for the 150, so it was fair bit upfront, but I feel they paid for themselves over the next few years, and they seemed like an attractive enhancement when it came to selling to place.

macman

MARKMAKAVELI said:

Where have you seen them for £167?
Yes I've done max input, min output and it's still pretty much done by lunchtime...certainly by evening.

Google is your friend...here's one at random...
https://www.hwelectric.co.uk/recon.html
The trick is to source one reasonably locally, as the weight of the bricks means that they have to be palletised for delivery, which is expensive.
I bought one on eBay for my MIL and picked it up locally in W. Yorkshire, them got her usual sparky to install it.

Gerry1

Presumably you are turning the output control to minimum before going to bed and to maximum if and when it starts becoming chilly?

Buying a larger capacity NSH doesn't necessarily mean that your bills will increase.  You can still run it like a smaller one by adjusting it appropriately, just as you can drink half a pint of beer from a pint glass.  But the extra capacity does give you more flexibility and means you're not always forced to freeze when the weather is cold.  If in doubt, go for a larger size.

Be careful about trying to let a flat with on-demand heaters (panel, convector etc).  Historically, renters may have not been too fussed whether the heaters were NSHs or on-demand, but those days are over.  Electric heating of any flavour (with the possible exception of heat pumps) will be a turn off for many renters, but on-demand heating at daytime rates will soon be a red line for almost all.

Gerry1

macman said:If you buy new then they must be LOT20 compliant, which are far more costly and require a dual supply.

Not necessarily.  Quantums (and probably others) can be wired to work from a single 24h supply, although great care must be taken to make sure that the programmed charging times always align with the meter's actual switching times.

macman said:
If you are selling in two years then it's pointless fitting LOT20 compliant Quantums or similar.

Again, not necessarily, IMHO. Sky high electricity prices mean that purchasers will be wary of old leaky NSHs and even less keen on on-demand heaters.  The higher costs of Quantums may be justified if it results in a quicker sale at a better price, and the OP will have had lower bills in the meantime.

macman

But the OP has already said that Quantums are beyond their budget. I don't see the point in paying for the features of a Quantum and then wiring it to the single supply.
Prospective buyers mostly wont know the difference, and they won't know how efficient an old NSH  might be.

EssexHebridean

Gerry1 said:

Presumably you are turning the output control to minimum before going to bed and to maximum if and when it starts becoming chilly?

Buying a larger capacity NSH doesn't necessarily mean that your bills will increase.  You can still run it like a smaller one by adjusting it appropriately, just as you can drink half a pint of beer from a pint glass.  But the extra capacity does give you more flexibility and means you're not always forced to freeze when the weather is cold.  If in doubt, go for a larger size.

Be careful about trying to let a flat with on-demand heaters (panel, convector etc).  Historically, renters may have not been too fussed whether the heaters were NSHs or on-demand, but those days are over.  Electric heating of any flavour (with the possible exception of heat pumps) will be a turn off for many renters, but on-demand heating at daytime rates will soon be a red line for almost all.

No idea how the OP is doing it but ours simply stays at minimum all the time - we've found this is the best way of getting the gradual release of heat right through the day. 

Gerry1

macman said:

But the OP has already said that Quantums are beyond their budget. I don't see the point in paying for the features of a Quantum and then wiring it to the single supply.

The lower running costs may offset the higher capital expenditure, but OP will have to decide !

Re-using an existing supply cable avoids the costs of installing extra wiring, not to mention all the hassle with floorboards and/or chasing wiring into walls, possible redecoration etc.

Note that the Quantum will still charge only during the E7 cheap rate (if programmed correctly).

ispookie666

If you are willing to jump through a few hoops you could look into a multi split unit (Air to Air Heat Pump).  You would definitely need Planning permission and will be a lot cheaper to run

MARKMAKAVELI

EssexHebridean - I think mine are just so old and inefficient they don't store the heat for long enough. I've had max input, min output and it still loses most of its heat by midday.

Thanks ispookie Just reading up on air to air heat pumps - seems great.... i presume i won't be allowed to have one in my flat but i've logged an enquiry to see.

Gerry1

MARKMAKAVELI said:

I think mine are just so old and inefficient they don't store the heat for long enough. I've had max input, min output and it still loses most of its heat by midday.

You may well have one or more failed heating elements: try the Storage Heater Sanity Test.