Dimplex DuoHeat electric storage heaters: variants, modern replacements and servicing

BulliJudd4

Hello,

I've made efforts to scroll through the archives to see whether these questions have been asked previously, so apologies if they have and I didn't find them.

1) Has anyone replaced DuoHeats and if so did you find a notable improvement/difference in performance or running costs? I'm contemplating upgrading to Dimplex Quantums (or something from Creda/Elnur).

2) Presumably DuoHeats have built-in thermostats - would a regular electrician be able to check these (and the elements) to ensure they're functioning correctly, or should I seek out a Dimplex/storage heater specialist?

3) There are two variants of DuoHeat models - the 'I' and 'N' versions. I have 3x DuoHeat300N and 2x DuoHeat300I. 'N' has the 'frost' option on the control panel, but can anyone advise of any other differences between the two?

Thanks in advance.

Gerry1

To be blunt, it's a bit of a lemon by modern standards, a poor man's storage heater.

The spectrum is

Panel Heater→DuoHeat→Old Style Box of Bricks NSH→HHR NSH (e.g. Quantum)

If you own the property, intend to stay a reasonable time and can't get gas or a heatpump then going up a coouple of notches to Quantums is worth considering.  They'll lower the running costs and make the property easier and quicker to sell for a better price.

It's very easy to check for failed elements, just do the Storage Heater Sanity Test.

MultiFuelBurner

They'll lower the running costs and make the property easier and quicker to sell for a better price.

Be careful if taking this advice as can be seen on this forum many times the heating of a property is not a deal breaker (often not even looked into properly) and won't necessarily lead to an easier and quick sale for a better price. Most people I suggest don't know a NSH from a more efficient NSH so this is just this person's opinion on what they think happens in the housing market and what they might look for. (All my own opinion)

Just do it for you, which I think you are anyway, if it makes sense to replace them for you and hopefully they will mean a warmer property for you are perhaps a lower cost to heat.

Perhaps the best question is Why do you want to change what you have? what are you lacking, what is the issue?

EssexHebridean

Hmmm...I think that's not as true as it used to be MFB. Both agents who valued our flat made approving comments about our Quantum, and the one who eventually sold it also said that he'd been slightly taken by surprised by how many buyers were now really clued up on different types of heating. 

MultiFuelBurner

EssexHebridean said:

Hmmm...I think that's not as true as it used to be MFB. Both agents who valued our flat made approving comments about our Quantum, and the one who eventually sold it also said that he'd been slightly taken by surprised by how many buyers were now really clued up on different types of heating. 

We pay close attention to the area where our rentals are for when we may want to leave the private LL business. Always good to have an exit plan and what that might end up looking like after CGT and the final tax bill.

A lot of LL have recently sold up around us in one particular road as every property has been split into flats. The sold price data available for sales show no noticeable difference to Gas CH flats, NSH flats and panel heater flats. So didn't want the OP believing this is fact and a guaranteed ROI depending on what their reason is for the change in the first place. Especially as they are replacing NSH with NSH.

Could be area dependent of course so as you say in your area you would disagree. So ours are south east Coast for reference. 1 hour 15 min direct trains into London.

To add - There are a Great deal of clued up people here and if we get that message out even beyond the board to friends and family and colleagues when we hear someone is buying I think it will eventually make a differences like EPC's should make a difference.

If we all keep banging the drum 👍

BulliJudd4

MultiFuelBurner said:

Perhaps the best question is Why do you want to change what you have? what are you lacking, what is the issue?

Thanks for the responses.

The two key reasons for looking at changing are: 

1) the DuoHeats are proving very expensive to run and thus I'm looking for cheaper-to-run/more efficient alternatives, and 

2) modern alternatives offer greater controllability.

My one concern about Quantums, aside from the large up-front cost, is the fan noise that seems to irriate quite a few users... complete silence is one thing the DuoHeat can be praised for!

MultiFuelBurner

BulliJudd4 said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

Perhaps the best question is Why do you want to change what you have? what are you lacking, what is the issue?

Thanks for the responses.

The two key reasons for looking at changing are: 

1) the DuoHeats are proving very expensive to run and thus I'm looking for cheaper-to-run/more efficient alternatives, and 

2) modern alternatives offer greater controllability.

My one concern about Quantums, aside from the large up-front cost, is the fan noise that seems to irriate quite a few users... complete silence is one thing the DuoHeat can be praised for!

We have just been through a very cold period we burned through lots more electricity than the previous few years on the heat pump through November and into December so far.

From review of DuoHeats I can't anything inherently bad about what you have and unfortunately there is very little information out there to say on older NSH X was running 5000kwh a year and now only using 4000kwh a year unfortunately.

We also have tenants with NSH and they are all complaining about how much they are costing at the moment. We have reached out to Octopus and they have suggested as the property owners of our tenanted properties the £7500 heat pump grant applies so will see if they can survey.

Is a heat pump something you would consider over new NSH?

BulliJudd4

Is a heat pump something you would consider over new NSH?

We were ready to go full steam ahead with one but the layout of the house and solid floors/walls throughout meant it was going to be a nightmare for the installer and we'd be left with exposed pipes running here there and everywhere (included down from the ceiling at various points as well as along at floor level). The entire thing was going to cost just shy of £20k, and it's only a 3-bed semi-detached cottage. Grant (including rural uplift) notwithstanding, it was a huge amount.

It's a shame because we had a heat pump installed in our previous home and it worked superbly. The now-closed Renewable Heat Incentive was pretty darn great and actually covered the entire electricity bill!

RedFraggle

I don't find the noise from the Quantum annoying 

EssexHebridean

I was never bothered by Quantum noise either - in fairness ours was in the hallway, but I genuinely can’t say I ever noticed it unless I actually stopped and listened, and even then it was just a low hum.

MultiFuelBurner

I am very noise sensitive, the rest of the family don't seem to be.

Are you noise sensitive do background constant noises build and build in your head?