Storage Heaters and Asthma - Are the claims true?

nachtvlinders

Apparently, they're meant to be bad for asthma sufferers. I've a service-user who's turned down a bunglow as she saw the photos depicting the heaters. It was a social housing property advertised on Rightmove nd it's very difficult to find anything that's suitable for them that is affordable when they're on benefits. (Currently, they're homeless). I was very put-out when they said this  as they stated they didn't apply as it wasn't appropriate for her health. I've not read enough evidence from the internet to find substantial evidence supporting this. Can anyone advise, please?

Thanks. 

GingerTim

Have you tried asking Asthma UK? That will be more reliable than the recesses of the internet.

https://www.asthma.org.uk/

pochase

On the Asthma UK web site they don't mention anything about a problem with storage heaters at all

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/indoor-environment/#heatingyourhome

Heating your home

Open fires

If you’re burning coal it gives off sulphur dioxide (SO2) which can trigger asthma or bronchitis.  Try ‘cleaner’ fuels which are labelled low in sulphur and less polluting. And choose wood with the ‘Ready to burn’ label so it gives out less smoke.

You can cut your risk by keeping flues clear and chimneys swept to allow the smoke to escape.

Wood burning stoves

Burning wood gives off tiny particles that can get into the airways. Breathing them in can make your airways inflamed, bringing on asthma symptoms. 

If you’re using a wood-burning stove, make sure it’s well maintained, and that you’re using dry woods (look for a ‘Ready to burn’ symbol). Newer designs are usually better and pollute less.

Central heating

This is a safer, cleaner option than open fires or wood burning stoves. It also helps avoid sudden temperature changes when you’re going from a warm room to a cold one.

But central heating can still give off some pollutants, especially if it’s an old boiler, or hasn’t been serviced for a while.

Look out for symptoms getting worse when you start using the heating in the winter - it could be that dust mites are on the increase.

Even if you’re using central heating it’s still a good idea to keep your home well ventilated, especially if you’re drying washing indoors. Washing on or near radiators creates a warm, humid environment where dust mites thrive.  

I found some information regarding the potential problem here

https://theozonehole.com/best-heaters-for-asthmatics-top-5-recommended-by-health-professionals.htm

Are storage heaters bad for asthmas?

Storage heaters are bad for asthma. Used before machines that can store heat, storage heaters were perfect for keeping rooms and small areas warm. After many years of use, it was discovered that unvented or faulty storage heaters could end up releasing deadly gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide, which can make you sick or even cause death. At low levels, nitrogen dioxide can affect your respiratory system and trigger symptoms in those with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Interestingly the second link that seems to refers to additional information about the issues with storage heaters points to the Asthma UK site above.

So the random statement seems to be that a faulty storage heater could cause problems on a random site, while Asthma UK warns about potential issues with GCH...

matelodave

Why would a storage heater be any worse for asthma than a radiator or any other dry heater. The reason that you cant find any evidence that storage heaters are bad for your health is because they aren't.



I can see that a gas fire or log burner may aggravate asthma due to the products of combustion but not storage heaters as they use electricity, so they are as clean as you can get at the point of use - not even combustion products of a gas boiler outside the house either

I'm guessing that your client just doesn't want storage heaters and is using the excuse of of asthma. 

EssexHebridean

I'm slightly bemused as to how a NSH could release the gases mentioned, and also what the reference to "unvented" is all about!  

Astria

EssexHebridean said:

I'm slightly bemused as to how a NSH could release the gases mentioned, and also what the reference to "unvented" is all about!  

Same, I can understand some older storage heaters containing asbestos, which could be a trigger, plus I can imagine some incorrectly setup heaters could dry the air out too much and cause some kinds of breathing problems, plus they are not that easy to clean, so could quite easily attract dust.

dunstonh

That second link is a marketing site and gets paid for selling alternative heating.    So, it should be disregarded.  Indeed, if you search the internet, you see the claims all seem to come from sites that are trying to sell alternative heating.

Some claim they let off gasses, which is plainly silly.  Others say they let off dry heat which is not good for those that suffer from asthma as a result of dry air.   Some refer to [very] old models that contain asbestos.

It is true that NSHs do reduce humidity.  However, it only tends to drop to a level that is too low if the heat is released too quickly.   You can programme the release of the heat to avoid that.      Also, keep the trickle vents open on windows.  Remember that NSH was designed back in the day we had draughty houses.   An airtight house can be too dry with NSH but a typical pre 2000s house has sufficient airflow to avoid that being an issue (unless modifications have been made to try and seal the house - such as new windows installed without trickle vents).

A lot of houses today suffer with excess humidity as people have tried to seal them up.   NSH reduces the humidity.  A lot of people have had to buy dehumidifiers to offset that.  So, depending on the house, they NSH may cancel out increased humidity.  It is also worth noting that increased humidity can also create problems for some asthma sufferers.   So, in reality, someone with asthma could suffer due to low humidity or higher humidity.  Someone who is that sensitive to humidity can either have a humidifier or a dehumidifier to suit their own needs.

It would make a great excuse for someone who doesn't like the look of a house though.

MattMattMattUK

EssexHebridean said:

I'm slightly bemused as to how a NSH could release the gases mentioned, and also what the reference to "unvented" is all about!  

The only way I can see it happening for carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide is if something got stuck inside it and burned and I would be far more concerned about something that had somehow got inside and was burning. Formaldehyde can in theory be emitted from certain materials, though none that I would imagine are used in NSH as the two biggest potential sources in the home are composite wood products and natural gas combustion.

Sounds more like one of those myths that has been repeated often enough that some people believe it. 

pearl123

The internet is full of mumbo jumbo. Information, is only as good as your source. There are numerous triggers of asthma, night storage heaters are unlikely to do much, if anything. 
 

Robin9

Once the OP's tenants have got a bee in their bonnet no matter I think no matter what evidence you come up with will budge them. 

facade

I wondered how a storage heater could produce carbon monoxide, and found this

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/134502/carbon-monoxide-death-electric-storage-heater

The heater and economy 7 timer were faulty (thermostat stuck and timer stayed on for days, the thermal safety fuses blew and were "fixed" with fusewire) and got the cast iron core so hot that it partially melted  and released Carbon monoxide from the oxidation of the carbon in the cast iron.

Not something that could happen normally, it needed two failures and the deliberate bypassing of a safety device.

I suppose that the contacts breaking in the thermostat could produce oxides of nitrogen, but the same would be true for anything with a mechanical thermostat, and it would be insignificant compared to stepping outside after a thunderstorm or a VW diesel has gone by