Modern Storage Heaters versus Standard Electric Radiators

Magnitio

Why not get some insulated plasterboard fitted to the ceilings and secondary glazing on the skylight and windows? Much cheaper in the long-term.

ConnyWebster

Thank you all for the very helpful information. I will digest and make an informed decision as soon as Octopus confirm where I stand, which to date they have not, blaming it on the national database not yet being updated with my new meter. They did promise that I would remain on the same tarrif as I had before, but that seems unlikely based on what you are all saying.

The old storage heaters were repaired/serviced a couple of winters ago, and I feel like its throwing good money after bad to keep repairing them, it was £300ish to repair/service. They are 20ish years old and inadequate for my space, viurtually cold by evening even when they are charged up middle of the day for 3 hours. In the morning when its really cold overnight, the room struggles to make 16. I hope the newer models will be better and the Boost will help during very cold periods. Currently i top up with electric plug ins.

@twopenny thank you, yes i already have heavy blinds which I keep drawn most of the time, and the skylight also has a blind, as well as double glazing. Unfortunately the house is built in 1700 and is Grade II Listed almost impossible to do anything insulation wise, and heat pumps are totally out of the question.

@RetiredYorkie thank you, I will be in touch if I have any questions. I think i may go with the Ecostrad rather than Dimplex.

Magnitio

@ConnyWebster Grade II listed properties can still have additional insulation added, subject to consent. It's worth having a look at some of the documentation here:

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/adapting-historic-buildings-energy-carbon-efficiency-advice-note-18/

https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/retrofit-and-energy-efficiency-in-historic-buildings/upgrading-thermal-elements-installing-insulation/internal-wall-insulation/

twopenny

Any hope you're in a national park? The historic buildings officers can be very helpful with ideas if they are asked.

Can you have a log burner?

Lovely to have a home that age just they do come with puzzling problems.

WIAWSNB

"…and the skylight also has a blind, as well as double glazing. Unfortunately the house is built in 1700 and is Grade II Listed almost impossible to do anything insulation wise."

The main living room that you need heated, this has the flat roof? Any chance of an inside pic?

As someone has suggested, adding a layer of insulated plasterboard to the underside of your ceiling should be utterly transformative, will end up looking just like your current ceiling - tho' a couple of inches lower - and will make no change to the outside appearance. The skylight is an issue, tho' potentially sortable by having a removable clear polycarb panel that can be positioned flush with the ceiling in winter months - it'll still allow light and the view through, whilst acting as secondary glazing.

This should not be costly - it's just over-covering a ceiling and giving it a plaster skim. Plus materials, of course.

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81869715#Comment_81869715

Depends what you define as "not costly". I'd give a rough estimate of £400-£800 to get someone in to do that. The boards themselves are quite pricey and then labour charges……

Then you'd need to paint and decorate to make good, another £30? More if wallpapered.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81869921#Comment_81869921

Absolutely. Yes, I'd expect anything up to around £1k depending on ceiling size.

But for what you'd get for that, I think it should be good value. Assuming there's next to no effective insulation in the current flat roof, it should be a significant improvement, and make a noticeable difference to both comfort and pocket.

lilac_dawn

Long time storage heater user here :) 20 plus years I have suffered them … I have a large living room (25ft by 15ft) with an extra hallway attached, 1 wall has 4 patio windows. all with thick curtains with thermal linings, another wall has another glass door to outside. High ceiling. Top floor. 2 exposed walls (or 3 if you count the kitchen which is attached but can be shut off by doors). Basically, a nightmare to heat.

When I moved here about 4/5 years ago, I made it my mission to upgrade the storage heaters. Originally in the living room, it was woeful: one dimplex 1500W and one tiny 500W. The larger one is fan assisted so can at least boost out a bit more heat. First I swapped the smaller one out with a larger old one that was originally in the bedroom as a temp measure but it was still cold. I ended up replacing it again for a brand new RF quantum, which means I can control it from the hub (wow!). I now have the equivalent of 2 x 1500W. It was major hassle when it was installed as was faulty but I can honestly say this winter is the first time I haven't been watching the pennies and most of all the room feels warm! My first winter here my highest bill was around £250 a month for electricity - I pay it in full each month. I was freezing. This year, so far, I think £127. It will be more this month but to my mind still very manageable. I am now with UW so 5p for off peak - again, they messed up at the beginning but still with an error a lot cheaper than I was paying before.

I am also in all day. The older dimplex still has some heat in it at time of writing, 10:30pm. This is because it is not chucking out as much heat due to the room already being warmer. The quantum will have enough heat in it as I will programme it to have that. I actually set that one to be on all day and just turn the temp down if I am going out. The hub means I can turn the temp back up again when I am out, ready to get the room warm. I find that a bit easier than prgramming the actual quantum but both work. Following advice on here, to keep costs down I bought the other quantums (2 - 1 for hall and 1 for spare room/office) secondhand from Ebay. They are older, so not RF, but you can set the temp on each and it will come on and off at that temp. I was a bit dubious but neither has given me any trouble and they were a quarter of the price of brand new. If the older storage heater in here gives up, I will replace it with another quantum, likely an RF model so it can work in tandem with the one in here.

I am a cold person so heating is a major issue with me. I would never bother with rads in here as the space is so large so much as I dislike the idea of Econ 7 I know it is the best way to go for my situation. I don't know if anyone else has suggested it but f you look at the dimplex site there is a calculator to work out how which size heaters you need to heat your room, depending on its size, location etc. I found this to be a good starting point.

Hope this essay is of some help :)

ConnyWebster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81865430#Comment_81865430

thanks, i have secondary glazing on the skylight. the ceiling is intricate carved wood (a former ballroom) and is grade II* listed so cannot cover it up.

ConnyWebster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81869715#Comment_81869715

thanks for the suggestion, unfortuately the ceiling is intricate wood carving throughout, a former ballroom, so cannot be covered up as it is grade II* listed.