Electric Radiators

Heedtheadvice

I suspect a typo!

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82026840#Comment_82026840

Cutting and pasting error, now corrected. I suspect the final edit didn't get saved.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82025681#Comment_82025681

Given the repeated reports of problems in threads here with firms not matching tariffs and alcs tables - that "switch every 6 months" may not be as risk free as it sounds for those with 5 port restricted feed E7 meters / home wiring.

For instance - would hot water work at all - and if so - would the 5th port then be powered 24.7 in summer when on single rate - or keep the old E7 timings.

It also ignores those suppliers who seem to rely on using total import rather than rate 1 import on former multirate meters - leading some to receive bill anomolies on swaps in the 1000s if not 10,000s of kWh - until resolved.

Would the switching - if ALCS changed - come back properly for NSH in winter months on E7 etc etc ?

Newbie_John

I was with Octopus on E7 and switching was fine - electricity still went through certain sockets - immersion heater, storage heaters - between 0ish - 7ish.

But best to ditch the dumb-meters fully towards smart meter - then you will have a full correct usage picture not relying on 1980s meter.

Scot_39

did both registers still increment - so more like single rate billing on a dual rate meter type setup ?

QrizB

Let's not lose track of the fact the OP is a resident of a retirement home, not the manager. Their ability to influence the choice of heaters, tariffs and meters is going to be commensurately limited.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82027187#Comment_82027187

… and depending on which company actually owns the care home, even the manager there may have little input into the final decision.

shawnwalter

@Radiators Modern storage radiators are more efficient than old ones but the savings may not be as dramatic as the management company suggests. The electrician has a point but oil filled and ceramic heaters run on standard rate electricity not your cheap Economy 7 overnight rate, so running costs could actually end up higher despite the lower purchase price. If your Economy 7 overnight rate is significantly cheaper than standard rate, modern storage radiators are still your most cost effective option. Ask the management company for a proper cost comparison based on your actual tariff rates and check if any government grants are available for heating upgrades in retirement homes before making any decisions.

JKenH

I am always sceptical of any claims that one electric heater is more efficient than another. Unlike, say, gas, one kWh of heat input will always result in one kWh of useful heat output. As I see it the only advantage of one heater over another is if a storage heater can more efficiently store electricity bought at a cheap rate and deliver it effectively at the time it is needed.

FreeBear

There are some savings to be had with a decent thermostatic control which most modern heaters should have. But the saving is likely to be negligible unless you are comparing it to the old one or two bar heater from the 1960s.