Fischer Future Heat

OscarOne

Having been persuaded to purchase Fischer's radiators in September 2020 I have done nothing but regret it. They were installed in January 2021 and I soon realised that I could not afford to run them and heat my home effectively as my gas central heating system had done. Knowing what I now know, these radiators were not suitable for my home because my house was not sufficiently well insulated. My house now has an energy performance rating of "F" which reduces the value of my home. Surely Fischer have some responsibility to point out to potential customers if their radiators are not suitable?

ComicGeek

Who approached you about the electric panel heaters, and how did they advertise them? Claims of reduced running costs would be plainly wrong, and could possibly be challenged as mis advertising.

The adverts I've seen are cleverly worded, with statements like 'highly efficient', 'reduces energy usage' and 'highly controllable', which are all technically true - but could still end up costing people 3 times as much to run as a gas heating system. They seem to be very careful not to mention running cost savings.

How much of the original gas central heating system is still in place, or has it all been removed?

Alderbank

Who persuaded you to buy them? Was it a family member or a salesman?

Before you signed up, did they do any surveys, any calculations or give you any reports specifically for your home?
If so, what did they say?

macman

How did you think that electric heaters running on a fuel costing 350% more per kwh than mains gas could ever be more effective?
There are two separate issues here: running cost, and effectiveness. I doubt that they promised you a cheaper running cost, but if they installed heaters that are so underpowered that they cannot raise the temp to an acceptable level, regardless of running time or output, then perhaps that is the basis for a claim. What does your contract say in this respect?
Presumably the wet rads have gone, but did you actually have the gas boiler removed? 

Undervalued

ComicGeek said:

Who approached you about the electric panel heaters, and how did they advertise them? Claims of reduced running costs would be plainly wrong, and could possibly be challenged as mis advertising.

The adverts I've seen are cleverly worded, with statements like 'highly efficient', 'reduces energy usage' and 'highly controllable', which are all technically true - but could still end up costing people 3 times as much to run as a gas heating system. They seem to be very careful not to mention running cost savings.

How much of the original gas central heating system is still in place, or has it all been removed?

Indeed.

However, without knowing exactly what the OP was told before the purchase was agreed, it is difficult to offer any advice. Also, what was the reason for changing from a boiler and radiators? 

Clearly in some situations this type of system could be attractive for a number of reasons such as..... 

A rural area where there is no mains gas (Calor gas is much closer to the cost of electricity)

A sizable solar installation, probably with battery storage

A holiday home that sees little use during the winter months

A "non standard" house with levels of insulation closer to those commonly found in Scandinavia 

I assume the installation cost was far lower than a new "wet" system? If so then a situation where the owner is intending to move within a couple of years.

Finally, is the OP comparing the running costs with what gas would cost now (as opposed to what it cost at the time it stopped being used)? Obviously both gas and electricity have gone up hugely since this was installed.

molerat

The problem is that their advertising is pretty spot on

They are efficient - as are all electric heaters

They are elegant - they don't look bad

They are controllable - yes they are

They are effective at heating the local space - again yes

Unfortunately they forget to mention they are ridiculously expensive to run