New Storage Heater Query

Scot_39

Did you increase the preset or leave at 23 ?

Did you make a note of the charge level last night and this morning ?

RetiredYorkie

I have 5 ecostrad magma units in my apartment. 3@1.7kW and 2@2.55kW. They were installed October/November time. Because I had 5 units I shelled out and got the wifi hub so setting up was a breeze.

I have the charging period set at 5 hours during my offpeak period and except for the switch on day they have never drawn the full rated input for more than 4 hours, even at -6° outside temperature. Since the middle of February most of the units have been charging less than 3 hours a night with several days when at least 2 units did not charge overnight at all.

For the whole of the winter period my rooms have maintained the temperature I have required and I have been very comfotable.

The only action I have taken during that time is to tweek the temperature settings down a little once it started to get milder.

Because the units "bleed" some heat overnight while charging I found I needed to set my target temperature about 3° lower than what I really wanted otherwise I ended up with a sauna.

I have used a large amount of electricity, pulling up to 45kWh some days, but since it was 90+% in the offpeak period I'm not stressed about it. (Also included charging my EV a couple of times).

All in all I'm well pleased with the investment.

eric4395

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932024#Comment_81932024

Last night the current temp was showing as 23 deg so i set the set point temp to 24 deg.

This morning there was heat in my storage heater and 54 % showing

At the moment its showing current temp 22 deg and 22%.

So it is working as far as heating up but how you finally set it up to be smart 😊 i have no idea

Scot_39

I'd probably be dropping it back to where you want it - and leaving it their (*) - 22 about 5C more than my living room right now.

It's forecast to get cooler hear EM by Monday - I'll probably end up putting 1 or 2 heaters back on low - but its 17 without heating in living room at the moment - so I can cope at that - just - even without my thermals.

The charge at 54% is higher than 43% you mentioned before - and 22C - suggests it's still having to release more heat vs 24C target - soon if not currently doing so - before the next charge window.

If it struggles / looks like might run out 22% drops too far - given its only 2:30pm it might - it might charge even more overnight tonight - above the 54.

It should always adapt charging - if thats what you mean by smart (rather than wifi / app smart).

On my old model - I have to tweak the manual input every 2-3 days when temps changing - to keep room temps stable.

Once your happy it will hold your target +/- odd degree - you can think of making it more targeted (so as suggestions above - lower eco temp overnight, comfort during room occupation if living room - 1 hr before - end 1 hr before bed etc - possibly the opposite had it been for a bedroom - etc)

(*) I'd personally be wary of leaving it as high as 24 - your overpaying now for the privilege - in winter even more so - unless you still think room is cold for your normal dress.

It might be a useful experiment to leave that high - but I'd rather have the cash for a coffee or a pint treat at the weekend.

NHS recommends 18-21 - but others do need higher (I tolerate lower to keep my bills down) - add 1-2 for the room offset - and see how it goes.

Do you feel OK, warm, cold with it displaying 22 ?

There are no right settings - only what you feel comfortable in - or sadly for many - can afford

eric4395

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932050#Comment_81932050

Hi RetiredYorkie

A fellow ecostrad user just what im looking for😃 As you can see by the thread all im doing at the moment is setting the set point temp above what the current temp is showing every night, this seems to give the storage heater a charge to about 40/50 % and heat into the bricks, havent even thought about trying to control it to different times of the day yet. Keep checking this thread im sure i will have lots of questions for you😊

eric4395

Current temp showing on storage heater is 22.3 deg( doesnt seem to move much from this over the last 2 days) The room temp guage i bought is showing 23 Deg so not exact with the heater.

Tonight if its still showing 22.3 will set point temp at 23 deg and see what happens ?

eric4395

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932117#Comment_81932117

Current temp showing on storage heater is 22.3 deg( doesnt seem to move much from this over the last 2 days) The room temp guage i bought is showing 23 Deg so not exact with the heater.

Tonight if its still showing 22.3 will set point temp at 23 deg and see what happens ?

RetiredYorkie

If I set the day temp to 23° I would wake up with the lounge at about 26/27°.

I set my required temperatures for the various rooms back in November and I haven't changed them until just recently when I adjusted downwards because the mild weather was helping keep the temperatures up.

The units adapt the level of charge required each night to maintain my comfort level.

In fact 3 of my units are now switched off, only the lounge being heated atm.

eric4395

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932318#Comment_81932318

But when i had the set temp at 18 deg the first 2 nights the heater didnt come on because the current temp was showing above that. Is that the case with yours as well or is this because i was using the heater for the 1st time ?

WiserMiser

@RetiredYorkie Does it have a fan?