New Storage Heater Query

RetiredYorkie

I tend to think that is the case. When I set mine up I initially set a target of 20° for my lounge. I set the charge time to cover 5 hours in my offpeak window. My heaters are spread across 3 seperate circuits to balance the load but are live 24 hrs, so the charge time setting governs when they draw current. The first couple of days they pretty much used the full 5 hours to heat up, but also the morning temperature was well above 20° so I had to adjust the target downwards by a couple of degrees to achieve the balance I wanted.

Because the thermostat temperature on the unit was always above the target there was only ever a gentle bleed of heat which maintained the background in the room. This meant that the room temperatures were maintained long into the evening as expected. As the overnight temperature fell the units kicked in and "recharged" for however long the electronics determined was required. The bleed overnight was sufficient to bring the rooms back up to temperature by morning and the cycle continued.

As previously stated, once the weather turned milder, the charge time duration dropped to 2-3 hours and on a couple of units to 0.

I think you need to read the setup instructions carefully, set what you think is right for your room and leave it to do it's thing for a few days without touching it. If after a few days it isn't delivering the required result, make a small change and repeat. Constant chopping and changing will not work. They have to learn.

My six penn'orth anyway.

RetiredYorkie

@WiserMiser No it doesn't have a fan. When a boost is required (as determined by the electronics) a vent is opened above the "bricks" to allow additional heat to escape. Once up to temperature the vent closes again.

RetiredYorkie

In addition there is a small external element that can operate at any time of day to give an additional boost if the bricks are depleted.

Obviously operating on peak rate would be expensive. Mine is permanently disabled.

eric4395

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932453#Comment_81932453

Yes i have no plans to use that, i never on my previous one either

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932450#Comment_81932450

not what tgeir home page says

As my post tge other day,

PS The home page says the Magma does have a fan to boost circulation - so sorry about that

https://ecostrad.com/magma-hhr/

"Enhanced Heat DistributionAn integrated fan helps circulate warm air more effectively, delivering faster heat-up times and a more even temperature across the whole room."

RetiredYorkie

@Scot_39. I bow to your superior knowledge.

....… However if that knowledge comes solely from reading the manufacturers website then....…

I have owned these units, watched them being installed and operated them for 5 months.

There is no fan that I have seen or heard at any time, indeed the user manual is at pains to stress that " the patented silent automatic vent system allows the storage heater to control heat release without a noisy fan "

Scot_39

No as I said - just going on the web site.

I wonder if it is new - it seems a strange thing to get wrong on the main page for the heater.

I'd want my money back if bought something offering the mode - and it didnt have it.

EssexHebridean

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933160#Comment_81933160

You would almost certainly have had the heater installed by that stage - and the old one removed - so actually you would probably just suck it up, even if reluctantly. Not many people would go to the trouble of having a storage heater uninstalled to return it as long as it was actually working, even if not entirely as they had expected!

Scot_39

Some people might - but thats exactly why suppliers might be tempted to try it on.

Go single source - and its their problem - buy and get third party to install - trickier.

Imagine if everyone had ignored other heater scandals - like FFH and their promises - and just put up with it.

I was really disappointed when Leicester Trading Standards let them off / went with settling out of court. But then I had colleagues at the time whos parents were misled.

eric4395

Just an update . So far ive just had it set fixed temp every day. Set it at 23 deg. The heater charges it up to that everyday and shows between 22.5 and 23 deg most of the day. % fig charged shows between 42-52% in the morning. By the evening the charge is down to about 8- 10%. Surprised the room temp remains consistent even altho the storage heater is cooler to touch at night. (It does show the vent open icon all day )I did buy a room temp guage as i wasnt convinced the actual temp on the storage heater was correct but it is within 0.5 deg of my room temp guage. Dont feel the need to mess about with the other control settings to adjust to certain times of the day etc but i can phone technical dept at any time if i need assistance on how to do it. Price wise its averageing about £3.50 thats between midnight and 9am every morning approx 16/17 kwh used. Which includes your 60p+ standing charge and the other storage heater i have in the hall