HHR storage heater in bedroom v panel heater

lilac_dawn

I think I've had this discussion before but what are the downsides of a quantum in the bedroom rather than a panel heater? Econ 7 makes it very expensive to have the panel heater (3 kw) on for very long to warm up the the room so most of the time the room is freezing in winter and running condensation (patio windows). High ceiling, one long outside wall do not help. Have the usual electric blanket, thermal linings, thick curtains but am tempted by a Quantum to leave on low, or at least come on intermittently, to take off the chill. We use the ensuite more than the main bathroom so coming out of that cold room (small fan heater) into a cold bedroom isn't great. Initial outlay obviously would be a downside but the last couple of quantums I bought were from Ebay so had good savings. Would anyone recommend having a storage heater in a bedroom?

Swipe

Everyone always poo poos the idea of a storage heater in a bedroom but I have a 50 year old box of bricks in mine that I have on a lowish setting. It's great at keeping the chill off and any damp out of my wardrobe. The room is still cool, say 14C by bedtime, and on the very lowest setting, it's never hotter than 17C when I wake up after the mildest winter nights. Obviously, with a quantum you have all the benefits but much more control.

lilac_dawn

That’s good to know - thanks.

I actually took out an ancient storage heater when I first moved in and put it in the living room as that was woefully underheated. It was also wired permanently on (no timer on the plug either - it had been tenanted for 20 yrs and I guess the LL wasn’t bothered). My parents had storage heaters in bedrooms too when I was growing up but then I just remember roasting in the night!
I think it will be beneficial as long as the bill doesn’t get freakishly high.

Scot_39

if your using heating - the nsh time shift rules apply to costs - and although quantums arent 100% insulated they are a lot better than old box of bricks - at time shifting heat. So should have less issues with being too hot at 7am after a nights charge and so waking you up as too hot to sleep etc. Which is why many rejected idea of old ones for bedrooms. That and the old ones het all day - when most folk only want rooms het 1-2 hr to get up 1 hr to go to bed etc at a reasonable temp

On low for constant background heat apart from those odd hours a hhr should be fine in bedroom.

My aunt used a modern fan assisted timer moel lot 20 to replace her old model - and she was far happier with it - and so unlike old - used it regularly.

Aside

with a condensation issue you might be better running a dehumidifier for a couple of hours off peak to leach away the days or nights accumulated dampness - it not able to vent rooms every couple of days in winter. (10mins through draft will exchange air without significantly cooling walls / furniture type thermal mass too heavily).

i used to go through loads of kitchen roll drying my windows and patio doors (frames especially as old sliding with metal frames) before spent c£150 on my dehumidifier.

the thermal curtains etc just means the windows and frames especially if metal (like my lr sliding) are real cold spots - cold and little air curculation - and so a real focus for dampness and black mould if get much below 12-14C behind the thermal protection consistently.

In a sealed bedrom - even without the potential of ensuite issues adding to it - we as humans emit a lot of water - adults around a litre a day even when passive. Often trickle vents if have them - just not enough. And lots of folk shut them in winter..

i can sleep with my cheapish refrigerant condenser dehumidifier - not a quieter model in reviews - on overnight at foot of bed - which i used to do every 2nd or third night - but on e10 i tend to do in afternoon or evening slot when remember now - when too cold to vent through.

Windows a lot dryer if not 100% - and as i now post Ukraine prices and soon mid Iran prices - only heat most rooms to c14, feel it means a lot less risk of damp mould etc.

I know others leave theirs on a set humidity all night.

i also use it on heavy laundry days - towels, bed linens, jeans etc etc for a couple of hours - as use a spare bedroom and hall as drying areas in winter.

My own perhaps naive belief is its cheaper to dry air than heat air to keep condensation and in limit actual dampness at bay.