Latest Economy 7 radiator info?

LibraLady

We are looking to get a new economy7 radiator but are confused by the term " requires 24hr access to power" Does this mean another wire connection to the one that lights up when the economy7 supply is charging the heater and goes off after  the 7 hours ?
We are an elderly couple and befuddled by this !  Sorry if this seems silly query ?

EssexHebridean

The modern High Heat Retention style models have a small fan built in that helps to distribute their heat out into the room better, and that requires a connection - they also usually have an "always on" screen for programming purposes, and a "boost" element which can be used for additional heat at the peak rate which would again be powered by the additional feed.  You CAN install them on a single "always live" feed - but it requires being incredibly careful that the programming is correct for the input (charge) times as otherwise it would be horrifically expensive. when we had out "quantum" installed a few years back we opted to pay a little for an additional connection to the "day time" circuit to be made as this just seemed more practical. It wasn't a hugely high cost as I recall but clearly this would depend where it needed to be run from. 

macman

To avoid any further confusion, they are generally called night storage heaters (NSH's), not E7 radiators.
There is no requirement to fit LOT20 compliant ones, which have the above features but cost a lot more (eg. Dimplex Quantum). You can fit a traditional NSH with a single E7 feed, but you'll have to buy a refurbished one.  These are available, and effectively rebuilt to be as good as new (there's not much to an old style NSH but a thermostat, some elements, and a pile of bricks).
The traditional ones can no longer be sold as new.

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Is this to replace an existing Night Storage Heater?  If so, you need to be sure what your expectations are.

Modern High Heat Retention storage heaters cost less to run because they waste less heat overnight; they release heat by blowing it out with a fan, but only at times when it's needed.  Think of them like a vacuum flask instead of a hot water bottle, they'll still be warm in the evening.  Therefore, assuming you are usually at home in the day, your savings will be less than for people who commute.

If you have an old-style Box of Bricks NSH that doesn't warm the property the way it used to, and it gets chilly in the evenings, it's quite likely that one or more of the heating elements have failed.  You wouldn't buy a new house just because a few lightbulbs had failed !

Fortunately, it's very easy to check for failed elements without needing any tools, just do the Storage Heater Sanity Test

Not trying to dissuade you from buying a Quantum of an Elnur, they do seem to be very good, but in your case it may be more cost effective to spend a few tens of pounds on fixing an existing NSH rather than around thousand on a clever new one.

macman

OP, is this a 'new' install, or just a replacement NSH?

Scot_39

LibraLady said:

We are looking to get a new economy7 radiator but are confused by the term " requires 24hr access to power" Does this mean another wire connection to the one that lights up when the economy7 supply is charging the heater and goes off after  the 7 hours ?
We are an elderly couple and befuddled by this !  Sorry if this seems silly query ?

I assume you mean a new Night Storage Heater rather than just an electric radiator (oil filled, ceramic, stone etc wall mounted etc ) as you have added economy 7 in your wording.

It's important to be careful - as many of the "panels" claim higher efficiency heat etc

But if you mean modern NSH replacements - so models like Dimplex Quantum or Elnur ECombi etc - then yes - they tend to have the capability of running of off 2 power sources.

The economy 7 circuit - live only for 7 hours and the 24hrs circuit (one for primary heat charge, the other for boost if allow it and the fan/display etc).

There is an option to wire only to one circuit - but in this case it has to be the live feed only - not the old ones switched 7 hours live feed (assuming it's a replacement for an old "bricks" style model).  So it will need electrical modifications by an electrician - even if a replacement for an existing NSH.

Do you really need new - if have an old one - is it repairable ?

@macman

Thanks - I didn't realise you couldn't buy the old style now.