Storage heater recommendations

Gerry1

A heat pump would be expensive, probably noisy and unsuitable for a flat.  It's like an air conditioning unit run in reverse.  Many thousands of pounds to install, but Octopus are launching a cheap one.

Any sparky should be able to install NSHs, but do think whether HHR NSHs would be a better investment.  They're not cheap, but they will enhance the value and attractiveness of your flat.  Also check that an old NSH doesn't contain asbestos and think about the difficulty in transporting a heavy old NSH.

Here's how to operate old NSHs.

Gerry1

JadeGurl said:

What’s a heat pump and an immersion heater? I haven’t heard of those before!

An immersion heater heats the hot tank, a big fat cylinder probably in the airing cupboard or similar.  Likely to have to cables going to it, one at the bottom, one halfway up.  Leave the upper one switched off unless the water gets cold during the day: if so, switch it on only for an hour or two.

Gerry1

Right now you need to find out what your day and night kWh rates are (don't forget to add 5% VAT if you take the info from a bill) and do the sums to see whether single rate would be cheaper.  It almost certainly will be, so switching to single rate PDQ will start to make things slightly less unaffordable.

Mstty

Gerry1 said:

A heat pump would be expensive, probably noisy and unsuitable for a flat.  It's like an air conditioning unit run in reverse.  Many thousands of pounds to install, but Octopus are launching a cheap one.

Any sparky should be able to install NSHs, but do think whether HHR NSHs would be a better investment.  They're not cheap, but they will enhance the value and attractiveness of your flat.  Also check that an old NSH doesn't contain asbestos and think about the difficulty in transporting a heavy old NSH.

Here's how to operate old NSHs.

Why would a heat pump be noisier in a flat than a house? 

As far as I am aware most sit close to an outside wall and a wall is a wall is a wall? 

OP's flat is ground floor possibly one of the few that is instantly suitable.

Mstty

Ok let's try and do some maths(and get it wrong lol)

Last month my day consumption was 23464 and night was 37259 

flat built in 2004 so let's call it 18 years to be safe as we only just entered 2023

1304kwh day consumption per year

2070kwh night consumption per year

Not bad at all averaged out since new.

Could you take some pictures of the heaters you have and the surrounding wall area around them. This may answer some of the questions above. You could upload them to imgur if the forum won't let you attach them here.

EssexHebridean

Mstty said:

Gerry1 said:

A heat pump would be expensive, probably noisy and unsuitable for a flat.  It's like an air conditioning unit run in reverse.  Many thousands of pounds to install, but Octopus are launching a cheap one.

Any sparky should be able to install NSHs, but do think whether HHR NSHs would be a better investment.  They're not cheap, but they will enhance the value and attractiveness of your flat.  Also check that an old NSH doesn't contain asbestos and think about the difficulty in transporting a heavy old NSH.

Here's how to operate old NSHs.

Why would a heat pump be noisier in a flat than a house? 

As far as I am aware most sit close to an outside wall and a wall is a wall is a wall? 

OP's flat is ground floor possibly one of the few that is instantly suitable.

Gerry isn’t saying it would be noisier in a flat - he’s saying that the noise aspect is one reason why it would be less likely to be suitable for a flat than a house. Flats generally have close neighbours on three or 4 sides, rather than houses having more distant ones, usually with fences between, on 2 sides. The other issue with heat pumps in a flat is that freeholders often don’t agree to them - in part at least because of the noise aspect. 

Hi Jade - I’m in a flat - ground floor and solid floored so similar issues to you. (Actually, similar issues with insulation too although ours is a fair bit older.) We have storage heaters - 1 very ancient Creda, 2 more recent “standard” Dimplex and 1 modern HHR Dimplex Quantum. Generally speaking we just use two - the largest standard Dimplex in the front room, and the quantum in the hallway, and we find that just with those we can keep the flat at a decent temperature. The HHR heater is far more controllable though - and because you set it to just release the majority of its stored heat when it’s actually required, it’s more economical as well as you don’t have the issues with heat loss overnight or during the day while you are out when it’s of less benefit. 

The best bit of advice I reckon I could give you about storage heaters is to REALLY learn how to use them - it takes a bit of getting used to but once you really understand how they work they can deliver a good amount of heat for a reasonable cost. 

Mstty

EssexHebridean said:

Gerry isn’t saying it would be noisier in a flat - he’s saying that the noise aspect is one reason why it would be less likely to be suitable for a flat than a house. Flats generally have close neighbours on three or 4 sides, rather than houses having more distant ones, usually with fences between, on 2 sides. The other issue with heat pumps in a flat is that freeholders often don’t agree to them - in part at least because of the noise aspect. 

Let Gerry respond for himself maybe?

Unless you are Gerry? Oh the irony 😂😂

Only joking will take your comments on board I like the one about the freeholders that does pose an issue.

However without knowing the layout and whether the ASHP could face outwards to a car park or badly into a communal space it's difficult to rule in and out and definitely something the OP should consider if possible with the £5K grant and it would increase the value of the flat if allowed.

Gerry1

Essex Hebridean isn't Gerry1, but she's quite right in explaining why a heat pump may be less suitable for a flat, even if it's on the ground floor !

Mstty

Gerry1 said:

Essex Hebridean isn't Gerry1, but she's quite right in explaining why a heat pump may be less suitable for a flat, even if it's on the ground floor !

I agree Essex you are correct especially with the fast repost I mean Gerry lol

It is interesting though that I am sat waiting for a friend at the moment and can see ASHP on a block of flats an older type development not a new build so it is possible and a very cheap way to heat a flat and hot water. So precedent may already be made.

I would pay more for a flat with a heat pump than one with storage or panel heaters. 

lilac_dawn

@EssexHebridean can I please ask the rough size of your living area? We really struggled with 2 storage heaters in our living room to get it to 16 degrees when we had the cold snap. Were wondering if upgrading one to a Quantum would help. Well versed with NSH as have lived with them for 15+ years but moved to a bigger place last summer.