Empty bungalow - setting up night storage heaters to maintain low warmth

Jonboy_1984

Swipe said:

Jonboy_1984 said:

For our old ones the input and output would need to be around 25% for anything to be felt outside the case.

How big is the property as our old flat was around 45sq meters, and one of the two heaters set at around 75% input/40% output was normally a comfortable living standard and more effective than both at a low level (unless it was dropping below -5 when both went on). 

Why would you leave the output open at 40%? It should only be opened if extra heat is required as the heater cools down.

We were in the property for 15 years and settled on that as comfortable after much experimentation to avoid having to change settings constantly (they were Dimplex XLSxx heaters with only a eco-7 connection and no on-peak boost function etc).

Scot_39

Some insurers actually recommend a hotter minimum temperature for unoccupied property than occupied.

A blog post on Direct Line site recommends 15C min unoccupied for instance.

Which said 12C not abnormal min on insurance in a comparison review.

For me - It depends to some extent on how exposed any pipework or tanks e.g. in loft or crawl / cavity spaces are.

16C, cracked open loft hatch and occassional flow as ho e occupied wasn't even enough for me during beast from east to prevent exposed sections of pipes in loft freezing.


But if have turned off water at mains and possibly where needed drained system / cold tanks  - that's going to be less of a worry.

Scot_39

As to how hot and how to set mins or levels - again very problematic with older nsh.

I am changing my input settings every few days currently as external temps fluctuate. From a low (over a quarter - but charged 3x daily on e10) - have switched 1 of 3 off few days ago - 1 on min and 1 near min (which now heats 2 halls, 4 rooms) - as temps revert to seasonal norms from frostry sub zero nights.

And that's to heat 2 bed home to low for occupied levels 16-17 living room, 14-15 elsewhere.


In an old lossy bungalow - depending on ratings and room sizes suspect min won't be enough on colder days


A compromise might be purchasing 1or 2 full sized oil filled radiators - leaving on low power setting with thermostats set to low to mid teens (on timers to match off peak times if bothered about costs) to supplement low settings on nsh and boost temps only as and when required.

(Some cheap mini ones have issues with thermal cut offs - as unabled to disappate heat for power rating - not good for unattended use ).

To avoid wasted energy I run my nsh on the low side and boost using oil filled rads on occasions myself if get it nsh setting wrong - hence suggestion.

chris1973

Buy a couple of tube heaters, similar to those used in Greenhouses for frost protection. They range from about 50w for the 1ft version to 240w for a 4ft. Pennies each to run when used on an off peak tariff.

Screw them to a bit of hardboard, using the supplied brackets, put one at skirting board level along the main outside walls or in the loft near to the water tank and pipework.

Buy a plug in thermostat or timer to control them based on whether you want them on 24/7 controlled by the temperature or just overnight.

I fitted one for my Gran in her outside toilet, to replace an old lethal 1940's valor paraffin heater. Worked a treat.