Storage heater help, please!!

erm28

Hi! 

I’m wondering if someone could please give me a plausible idea as to what is going on with my storage heater?

I live in a 2 bed rented flat and have recently had night storage heaters installed. As I’ve never used storage heaters before, I wanted to test out the heater in the bedroom only (to figure out how they work/costing etc). I programmed it to charge overnight on Saturday to release heat on the ‘out all day’ setting (7am-8:30am and 5pm-10pm) on Sunday.

Everything seemed to be going well (i.e., the heater released the heat on Sunday according to the ‘out all day’ setting), but when I checked my smart meter app this morning, I could see that it charged between 8am-10:30am only, therefore using the more expensive day rate and producing a daily electric amount of nearly £6!! 

My energy supplier has confirmed that I’m on Economy 7 and I’m 99% sure that the heater’s boost setting wasn’t on.

I don’t really understand why it didn’t charge at night at all, but charged between very specific times in the morning? I’m now worried to attempt to use it again as I don’t want to add even more money to my monthly bill.

Any insights would be great! Thanks a lot.

Veteransaver

How is the storage heater timings decided? Does it have its own timer or is it on its own circuit with maybe a time switch in the meter cupboard?
The used to wire them on their own circuit with a central timer, though it's not unknown for those old ones to drift out.
We even used to have an E7 meter that was out by several hours as to when it switched to the cheap rate, but that shouldn't happen if you have a smart meter.

Gerry1

Is the NSH fed by two supplies (one 24h, one off-peak that switched by the meter) or just a single 24h supply?

erm28

Hi both, thanks for your replies.

The heaters are connected to an additional ‘off peak’ circuit board. I’ve just had a look and there’s nothing but individual switches for each heater, so I have no idea how the timing is set!

For reference, they’re brand new, modern heaters which apparently automatically charge based on the output selected?

Gerry1

Does each NSH have two supplies (one 24h, one off-peak that's switched by the meter) or just a single 24h supply?

erm28

Gerry1 said:

Does each NSH have two supplies (one 24h, one off-peak that's switched by the meter) or just a single 24h supply?

I believe it has two supplies. 

Gerry1

You should be OK if it has two supplies; IF everything is wired and programmed correctly it won't be able to charge at peak rate, although you'll need to make sure it doesn't turn the boost heater on automatically if there's insufficient stored heat.

Look at the meter on the wall to see which register increments during the day and to establish the times when the rates change over.

Scot_39

Some modern e7 meters provide a specific off peak only timed supply output - so no need for external timers etc - these days the one box solution is from what is known as a 5 port meter with ALCS (automatic load control switching).

(Others traditionally relied on an external time switch or even a second meter etc.)

That would then be used to feed a seperate or split section of consumer unit / fuse box in old speak - and that in turn supply off peak heating devices like nsh and hw immersion heater.

Typical times for the off peak vary by region and even by supplier within (DNO?) supply regions -  but might be say 12:30 to 7:30 am in winter.

However e7 4 port meters exist that only apply the e7 as a tariff to a common output and the devices themselves need own timers to restrict use.

As @Gerry1 at least some duel wired nsh will if wired up to both supplies only use the off peak to do main charging.

Others not only have heat output programmable time slots but configurable charging time slots too that need to match off peak metering ratetimes.  Iirc dimplex quantums ignore do not require - in fact advise against changing from defaults - as will not ignore - those charge window settings if dual wired - but also will annoyingly default to charge 24 hrs a day if single wired.
Other brands less clear - from posts here (iirc an Elnur ecombi user said charge windows was set to match meter  - and they adjusted for gmt / dst if needed )


We're you left manuals / guides by installers ?

Have you downloaded copies and checked settings ?

(Sadly from family experience - my elderly aunt was left a manual but no training - and struggled to understand it - but other press articles - some councils / housing associations  have been very poor at setting up these newer heaters (my au ts were manuf defaults like 21 C etc - or giving tennants the info to do so themselves)

Some of the terms you use sound a bit like Dimplex / later Creda models - but it would be better if you could confirm.

Many modern nsh have boost type modes  - and whilst some are manually triggered - others are automatically triggered.

Like descriptions posted here for likes of Elnur Ecombi - can and will charge from peak rate electric - normally at reduced power (say c1kW for  a larger model with 3kW main elements) as needed to match output settings (e.g. on initial power up or in a sudden cold snap). 
And although configurable --via installer sub menu parameters - for their auto charge algorithm to run - you have to leave it available to do so for at least 1 hour from a users post here  (but that is far lower than its default setting - 5 or 7 hrs daily ?)

Is there a reason you are unwilling to tell us the brand and model type  ?

Do you know ? 

Check under controller flaps or for small stickers around top sides or bottom.

Robin9

@erm28 Can you give us make and model of your heater please.

Not sure where you £6 has come from.  8am to 1030am is 2.5 hours; with a single 2kW heater that's 5 units and perhaps £1.50/£2

erm28

Hi everyone, thanks a lot for your replies.

A manual was left and I’ve followed it (along with spending hours on YouTube trying to figure out what’s gone wrong). I think a very similar case - I was left a manual but I only have a basic understanding of how they’re supposed to operate, hence why I’m struggling to fix the issue.

Oh yes, of course! It’s a Quantum Dimplex Heater, QM125. I’ve attached a photo of what the screen currently reads (and read when I turned it on for the first time on Saturday to charge overnight).

Robin9

I assume you also have an immersion heater that is on at night.  What was you actual day and night annual consumptions before you installed the NSH?