Heard The Rumour Of Free Replacement Storage Heaters?
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Can You Get Free Storage Heaters?
Absolutely. The government wants to move every one onto renewable heating so any grants to replace storage heaters will reflect this. Rather than exchange storage heaters for free, you may be able to apply for Free Solar Panels, or A Free Air Source Heat Pump, or A Free Central Heating System. Take a short survey and we will come back to you.
Storage Heaters Grants
If you have old storage heaters as your main home heating, you should look into the new various grants that are available to either upgrade them or replace them for a new source of heating. All grants below may be available to you, subject to you meeting the criteria.Which Benefits Qualify You For Storage Heating Grants?
Child Benefit – Child & Working Tax Credits – Employment & Support Allowance- Housing Benefit Income Support – Job Seekers Allowance – Pension Credit – Guarantee & Savings – Universal Credit
Who Qualifies For Free Storage Heaters?
To apply for a Free Storage Heaters Grant you need to satisfy ALL 3 of the following criteria:
- You live in your own home.
- You receive one of these State Benefits: Guaranteed Pension Credit. Child Tax Credit. Working Tax Credit. Universal Credit. …
- You must have at least one faulty electric storage heater in your home.
Grants to Replace Storage Heaters With Central Heating
If no gas you can expect to pay around £1500 for a new supply unfortunately. Do check our free central heating page too for a grant.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
When Should You Replace Your Economy 7 Storage Heaters ?
We recommend that storage heaters over 20 years old that are faulty should be replaced without attempting to repair.This is because old heaters will be very inefficient to run with the repair not economical or cost effective.
New Economy 7 heaters , storage heaters will be up to 30% more efficient and will pay for themselves in the long run.
What Are The Best Economy 7 Storage Heaters?
SEE HERE FOR THE BEST REVIEWS FOR 2023What Brand is the most Efficient Economy 7 Storage Heater?
We have found that Dimplex And Fischer Economy 7 heaters are the most efficient for running costs. New Heaters have a minimum energy efficiency rating From 1 January 2018, all newly manufactured storage heaters must have certain features so that they comply with Lot20, part of the European Eco-design Directive. All new electric storage heaters must meet a minimum energy efficiency rating of 38% for a heat output above 250W. To meet this all new heaters have:- Digital programmers
- Open window sensors
- Electronic room temperature controls
- Wi-fi controls
Replacement For Storage Heaters – What Are The Best Makes ?
The best known makes that have been around for years and have been approved to be fitted on Government schemes are below.
All heaters will have been thoroughly tested for fitting on Grant schemes so will be highly recommended.
- Dimplex
- Creda
- Elnur
- Fischer
- Heatstore
Storage Heater Replacement Cost
Storage heaters do vary in price, depending on the size, type and brand you choose. Basic models start from £150 upwards. You will need to pay extra for fitting as they need to be fitted by a qualified electrician. Expect to pay around £70 per heater if there is existing wiring and only a straight swap is needed.
For prices of electrians we recommend your first point of call should be one of the trusted trader sites Check A Trade Which Trusted Traders Trusta Trader.Com
How Do Storage Heaters Work?
A Storage heater is an electric heater that accumulates heat in special ceramic or clay bricks during the night (when electricity is at its cheapest ) which then releases it during the day.
Storage heaters are usually mounted on the wall and resemble radiators. These heaters are called storage because they have the ability to conserve energy and release it when the source of energy is unavailable.
It can heat up the ceramic bricks inside when electricity is abundant and cheap, mostly during nights, store it and release it during the day. It is ideal for people who have an Economy 7 meter and have subsidies on power bills at night.
The easiest way to understand storage heaters is to visualise them as a big rechargeable battery. Once the heat has been exhausted, ( usually late afternoon ) you need to use another source of heating for the rest of the day to heat your home.
The heaters are then recharged from 10 pm for use for the next day.
Economy 7 heating is where electric night storage heaters are charged up every night with electric heat and then this heat is then released the next day very slowly. Night Storage Heaters store thermal energy by heating up internal ceramic bricks (effectively, ‘charging’ like a very large rechargeable battery) during the night when electric is at its cheapest. Storage heaters are primarily designed for customers to benefit from off peak energy which is used to charge up these heaters on a nightly basis. Storage heaters are usually the best option for households not connected to the gas grid and need to use electricity as a heat source. You will need an economy 7 meter to get the best use of economy 7 heating.
High Heat Retention Storage Heaters – What Are They?
All modern storage heaters are now high heat retention ones which although bulkier, are up to 30% more efficient at keeping the heat in so will save you money off your heating bills.
Old storage heaters contain very heavy, heat retaining clay bricks but modern, more energy efficient versions use a ceramic material or high density magnetite to store heat. Also Modern storage heaters are now fitted with timers, and 24-hour programming, for more control on usage. Many now have open window detection too.
These features help to make modern storage heaters a lot more efficient than old ones and you should achieve a bill reduction of around 30% by upgrading to new ones. Although new storage heaters are not cheap, they are more efficient than they used to be in a number of ways, so running costs will be cheaper.
New Economy 7 heaters offer the highest density and heat storage capacity, magnetite is extremely efficient at storing thermal energy but it also relies on excellent insulation to retain the heat.
If you have old storage heaters, the insulation around the heating core may well have broken down over time and this will affect their efficiency.
Are High heat retention storage heaters any good?
High heat retention storage heaters offer an extra level of insulation that keeps it cooler when not in use.
This in turn, saves more heat for when you do want to heat your home compared to a standard storage heater.
Well worth the extra cost.
How Efficient Are high heat retention storage heaters?
Most storage heaters are 100% efficient because all the electricity they use is converted to heat.
This compares to older ones which are only around 100 % efficient.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
Storage Heaters Vs Electric Radiators
What Is Economy 7 Heating?
Economy 7 heating is a name for off peak electricity which is cheaper than standard rate electric. Off peak electricity is around a quarter of the price of standard rate electricity and usually runs between 10pm – 6 Am
Economy 7 heating is still around and is the preferred option for a lot of off gas homes and flats due to the cheap rate they are charged at compared to standard electric heaters which are very expensive to run.
This type of supply was very popular in the 1960s when many homes had dual supplies of electric and of which you were charged a day time and night time rate of electric.
The “off-peak electricity” is normally supplied between 1200-0700 for 7 hours and is what led to the name of Economy 7.
With an Economy 7 tariff your electricity will be charged at two rates – a day rate and a night rate.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
What Is Peak Time Electricity?
The amount you get charged for your electricity depends on the time of the day you use it. Peak electricity hours are 5pm to 8pm, after most people have finished work and it starts to get dark outside. Electricity costs more at busier times, as the National Grid has to work harder to provide it. Typically, the quietest periods of electricity use are night times, usually between 10pm and 8am.You pay a cheaper rate for electricity for seven hours at night (off-peak) and a higher one in the day.
This means the meter will show two different numbers; one set of numbers for your ‘normal’ or daytime electricity use, and another for your ‘low’ or cheaper night time use.
Why is it called Economy 7?
The meter takes its name from the seven hours of cheaper (off-peak) electricity at night.If you have storage heaters you can make the most of Economy 7 by programming them to charge overnight. That way they charge up at the cheapest time to use electricity.
They’ll keep you warm during the day without using the higher day rate.
6 Top Tips for Using Economy 7 Storage Heaters
Here’s some good tips to help you get the best out of your economy 7 heaters.- Set your appliances for off-peak times
2 -Set your input to midway See how you fare for heat the next day. If you run out, turn it up; if you’ve got plenty left over, turn it down to the next setting. By experimenting with your heaters, you’ll eventually find the ‘sweet spot’ for the settings and won’t need to adjust them quite so frequently.
3 -Set your output to its lowest setting
Set your output to its lowest setting before you go to bed to prevent heat loss and wasted energy overnight.4- Keep the seasons in mind
turn input down during the warmer months and up during the colder months. If it’s very warm, save money by switching your storage heater off at the wall. Once your room is a comfortable temperature, turn output down again to prevent overheating the space and to retain as much heat as possible for the evening.5- Zone your heating effectively.
Zone your heating effectively. Infrequently used rooms should have input and output set low to save energy.6 -Keep Output Setting on Low All day
The output regulates how much of the stored heat is released. It does this by opening and closing the flap behind the front grille.
The higher the output level, the more the flap opens, releasing more heat back into the room.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
Safety Tips For Economy 7 Heaters
- Do not place things on top of your storage heater
- NEVER use your heater to dry clothes!
- NEVER cover the surfaces of your heater or obstruct the air grilles
- Ensure no furniture is directly in front of the heater as this can stop the heat spreading
- Fit a guard to your storage heater if young children are going to be around them unsupervised. The front covers and vents at the top can become extremely hot to touch
- Ensure there is a gap of no less than 6” between your curtains and the top of your storage heater
- If your heater has been switched off for the summer, it is a wise idea to run a vacuum cleaner over the front of the vents to remove any build up of dust or fluff within that could burn when the heater is switched on.
- Make sure your heater is securely fixed to the wall for stability. Storage heaters are extremely heavy, even small ones can weigh over 50Kg due to the storage bricks used within.
Are Economy 7 Storage Heaters Cheap To Run ?
Storage heaters use off-peak electricity which is supplied from the national grid to your house, usually overnight when demand for electricity nationally is low. It makes good economic sense for storage heaters to be charged up at this time hence the term night time storage heaters.Typically, a storage heater will lose most of its stored heat over 12 hours but you can control when the heat is released by selecting a tariff and adjusting the storage heater’s controls.
What is the best heating and hot water system for Economy 7 ?
It depends what kind of heating and hot water system you have.
Electric storage heaters and a hot water tank are the best combination for Economy 7 heating .
That’s because you can charge them up during the night when electric is at its cheapest and then use the heat and hot water in the daytime.
Economy 7 Electric Storage Heater Running Costs.
The cost of running a storage heater depends on a range of different factors, including:- Room size and size and number of windows in the room.
- The insulation in your home
- The age and type of glazing of your windows
- The temperature you are comfortable with
- The severity of the weather in your area
Do storage heaters have to be on Economy 7?
Yes – It is the best practice.
Storage heaters are usually used by those using an ‘Economy 7’ electricity tariff which reduces their running costs.
This tariff, means you will pay a different price for the electricity you need when they are recharged at night.
Using storage heaters during the day ( without recharging at night ) will be very costly.
Is it cheaper to leave storage heaters on all the time?
Not really. Once the heat has been discharged ,you will be cold usually in the early afternoon.
If you’ll be out during the day, remember to turn the output control right down before you leave, to avoid using up more energy than you need.
Always turn the output control down to 1 before you go to bed.
Heating up your house overnight will cost more money.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
Economy 7 Storage Heaters – Alternatives
If you would like to change from electric storage heaters to an alternate form of heating, you have a number of options:- Gas Central Heating
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Solar Panels
- Electric Panel Heaters
- Electric Central Heating with radiators
- Infrared Heating
- Electric Underfloor Heating
Are Electric Radiators a Good Alternative To Storage Heaters?
Electric radiators are a very good alternative to storage heaters for heating your home BUT you will find they are approx 25 % more expensive to run as they run on standard rate electricity.
Night storage heaters are recharged at night when electricity is approx 70% cheaper.
We do not recommend changing from economy 7 or economy 10 tariffs for electric heating.
Old Storage Heaters – When Do I Replace?
Yes If you live in a small flat or apartment it is cost effective to replace them.
For larger homes we would recommend you upgrade to Central heating which will be a more efficient way of heating your home.
Check if you are eligible for the free Electric Heating Grant from the government before you go out and purchase some new ones.
You could qualify for this free grant from the government to replace all your old heaters 100% FREE! If you receive a benefit .Most people are unaware of this storage heater replacement scheme which has been available for the last few years .
Replace Old Storage Heaters – How Much Does It Cost ?
A storage heater can cost from around £150 to over £1000 to buy and install, depending on the heat output required. Generally speaking, the more you spend on a storage heater, the more features your model will have.
New storage heaters need to be installed by a qualified electrician and usually costs from about £70 if there is existing wiring plus the cost of the new heater). A new installation will require new wiring so you should expect to pay around £50 extra per heater.
The best storage heaters cost to buy more initially but will save you money over time because they will be more efficient and therefore will cost less to run.
Costs Of Running Storage Heaters
The cost of running a storage heater depends on a range of different factors, including:- Room size and size and number of windows in the room.
- The insulation in your home
- The age and type of glazing of your windows
- The temperature you are comfortable with
- The severity of the weather in your area
What Is The Best Practice For Running Storage Heaters
During the winter – Set the input control to maximum to allow the most charging power to the storage heater.
During the summer – You may get away with turning the input control right down (or even off), since you won’t need much heat for the home.
Turn the output to zero when you are not at home or when you go to bed.
- The most effective and cheapest manner is to ensure is that you don’t use the peak electricity power switch unless absolutely necessary.
- Try to avoid using this unless in the middle of the winter when you need a heating boost.
- The idea is to make sure the storage heater only charges during off-peak hours.
- Turn off the output of the heater when you do not need it heating your room, like at night or when not home.
- Before switching to boost mode, make sure you have consumed the stored heat first because the boost feature utilizes daylight electricity.
- Do not plug-in extra heaters for more warmth. Instead use the storage heater’s input to the maximum first to store as much heat.
- Only use the ‘boost’ setting on your heaters when all the stored heat has run out . Always open the output fully before using boost as it uses expensive daytime electricity.
- Avoid using supplementary plug-in heaters as they too will be expensive to run. It’s much better to turn up the input on your storage heaters so that they recharge more at night and store more heat.
Can I Leave Storage Heaters On All The Time
If you do need heat over the summer, you may only need to switch the storage heaters on to charge every other night.
You can save more heat for the evening by keeping the setting low during the day, such as when the room is warm enough or you are going out. As storage heaters will only charge up at night, so you can leave the input setting without danger of using expensive day-rate electricity. Once the heat has been exhausted , it will not charge up again until its preset charge time which is usually around 10 -11 oclock.
Are Storage Heaters Cheaper to Run Than Gas Heating ?
No . Electricity is one of the most expensive ways to heat your home and we always recommend that if you are on the gas grid, you should convert to gas heating. Electric Storage heaters are cheaper to run than their counterparts Electric room heaters ( which are plugged in and use statndard rate electric ) but they are still expensive compared to gas heating. Gas heating is approx 2 /3 cheaper than electric.
A 2.5 Kw heater that is charged up at nightime ( using cheaper electric ) will cost you around 13p per hour to run. This will be payable whether you benefit from the heat or not. Use the heat or lose it is the rule. To sum up a 2.5kw storage heater may have a running cost of between £1 and £2 per day.
If you have 4 heaters running on a daily basis, this will work out very expensive with a weekly average of up to £70 per week !
Are Panel Heaters Cheaper To Run Than Storage Heaters
Definitely not.!
On a like for like basis. you will be paying 2 times more for the same amount of heat as panel heaters . This is because storage heaters benefit from cheaper electric at night whilst plug in heaters will be charged at the day rate. Panel heaters do have the benefit of you can turn them on and off at will whereas with storage heaters, you need to use up the heat or lose it.
Can I Leave Storage Heaters On All The Time
If you do need heat over the summer, you may only need to switch the storage heaters on to charge every other night. … You can save more heat for the evening by keeping the setting low during the day, such as when the room is warm enough or you are going out. As storage heaters will only charge up at night, so you can leave the input setting without danger of using expensive day-rate electricity. Once the heat has been exhausted , it will not charge up again until its preset charge time which is usually around 10 -11 oclock.
Are Modern Storage Heaters More Efficient?
- Automatic: These are the new standard type, and can detect the temperature of the room and set themselves.
- Combination: These allow you to turn up the heat on demand combining charged heat with standard daytime electricity
- High heat retention: These offer the latest in storage heating technology, with highly-insulated cores and quiet fans to spread the heat around the room more effectively.
All modern storage heaters are now high heat retention ones which although bulkier, are up to 30% more efficient at keeping the heat in. Also Modern storage heaters are now fitted with timers, and 24-hour programming, for more control on usage.
Many now have open window detection too. These features help to make modern storage heaters a lot more efficient than old ones. As stated you should achieve a bill reduction of around 30% by upgrading to new ones. Although new storage heaters are not cheap, they are more efficient than they used to be in a number of ways, so running costs will be cheaper.
If you have old storage heaters, the insulation around the heating core may well have broken down over time and this will affect their efficiency.
Storage Heater Tips for Lower Heating Bills
- Turn the ‘output’ setting of your storage heater off when you are out of the room or go out of the house. Good idea to turn off at night too.
- Only use the ‘boost’ setting on your heaters when all the stored heat has run out . Always open the output fully before using boost as it uses expensive daytime electricity.
- Avoid using supplementary plug-in heaters as they too will be expensive to run. It’s much better to turn up the input on your storage heaters so that they recharge more at night and store more heat.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
Average repair costs are £120 and you can replace a heater for another £50 or so.
We recommend you replace rather than repair in most cases.
Are Old Storage Heaters Dangerous?
Some old storage heaters contained asbestos sheets which as you know is a hazard to health. If your heaters are damaged in any way, asbestos dust and fibres may be released into the room.
If this dust is inhaled into the lungs, they may give rise to an asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Are Storage Heaters Being Phased Out?
Storage Heaters are gradually being phased out due to lack of demand and the fact that they are still one of the most expensive form of heating.
They are also now very old fashioned too and are associated with 1960 s & 1970s homes. Sales of storage heaters are diminishing year on year with renewable heating becoming more popular as the UK heads towards a carbon zero future.
Can Storage Heaters Make You Ill?
Electric space heaters and storage heaters can make the air inside of your home extremely dry and unpleasant. Some of the newer models also blow out air which is not suitable if you are suffering from asthma This won’t make you ill, but it may irritate your skin, eyes, ears, and even nose.
Can Storage Heaters Overheat?
Old heaters do get a build up of dust over the years inside the heater casing. This will affect the distribution of heat and you may get a smell. This can be easily brushed off by removing the inner casing. If there are items of furniture or curtains within 500mm of the heaters, this too will restrict the flow of heat and we recommend you leave adequate space and airflow around the heater. Faulty thermostats & charge controllers could also cause overheating too.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Storage Heater?
The life expectancy of a typical storage heater is 15 -20 years old. Models older than this should typically be replaced with modern automatic models. In recent years ‘automatic models’ have been introduced as standard since they offer small gains in terms of efficiency and economy.
Do Storage Heaters Leak heat?
Unlike a battery that retains a lot of its charge until used, the storage heaters will begin to leak heat almost immediately due to convection of heat that is stored in the bricks. As a rough guide, a storage heater will lose the majority of its stored heat over a 12 hour period. This means that if you get in from work at 7pm, the majority of useful heat will already have dissipated into the home leaving you to be cold in the evening. You usually will need to switch on panel heaters or other heating to supplement this. For this reason, storage heaters are not good for people who are out at work during the day unfortunately.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
Why Use Storage Heaters ?
- These are inexpensive to use as compared to normal electric heaters.
- Modern heaters have timers, thermostats and fans to work more efficiently with less maintenance required.
- These are noise free heaters. Even with the fan inside, these are very quiet.
- These are very painless to install and can be installed anywhere the electrical wiring is available.
Modern electric storage heaters:
- Are up to 30% more energy efficient than old ones.
- Have control systems which allow you to have exactly the right amount of heat in each room, when you need it
- Have a built-in convector heater for additional heat when you require it.
- Are slimmer, with a modern stylish design
- Will add value to your home and reduce your bills significantly.
Safety Tips For Electric Storage Heaters
- Never cover any air vents on your storage heaters
- Avoid placing anything flammable near your storage heater
- Ensure a gap of at least 16cm exists between your curtains and the top of your heater
- Install a storage heater guard to protect children
- Make sure your storage heaters are installed by a qualified electrician
Are Storage Heaters Right For My Home?
Typically storage heaters are recommended for customers who don’t have a mains gas supply in their home. However, some people still look to storage heaters to replace their central heating. Here are a few benefits of having electric storage heaters:- Storage heaters make the most of off-peak electricity prices, if you’re on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff
- They’re easy to install, compared to other wall heaters and central heating systems
- They don’t require regular maintenance or servicing and often serve a long service life
- It may be impractical to install traditional central heating system, so storage heaters are a great alternative
- Electricity is more environmentally friendly than gas, especially if your tariff is renewable or low carbon
Tips For Using Storage Heaters
If you’re a first-time storage heater user, here’s some handy tips to help you get to grips with your heating system:
- If you have small children or pets, it’s a good idea to fit a guard for your storage heaters as they can get very hot
- Make sure there are no curtains near your storage heaters
- Never cover the surface of your storage heaters or obstruct the air grills
Pros of Storage Heaters
Cheap To Run- They charge up at night using Economy 7 tariffs which are about a quarter of the price of daytime electricity. Siting Of Heaters – They are easy to install, can be situated anywhere that electricity can be wired. so they are more flexible and can be installed in many more situations than traditional radiators as there is no pipe work involved. Maintenance Free – Heaters are relatively maintenance free as they have no moving parts or liquids and they tend to have a longer life-span than traditional heating methods. Space Saving –Modern storage heaters are very different to the old systems people may remember. Slimmer designs and advanced technologies are now the order of the day. Fan Assisted – Modern heaters installed as part of the ECO scheme are now fan assisted and instead of releasing it by convection, a silent fan extracts cool air from the room and converts it to hot air through a vent and are usually controlled by thermostat. Cheaper To Run – compared to panel heaters and are programmable and are exceptionally quiet, even those that use a fan.Are Storage Heaters Expensive To Run ?
A 2.5 Kw heater that is charged up at nightime ( using cheaper electric ) will cost you around 13p per hour to run. This will be payable whether you benefit from the heat or not. Use the heat or lose it is the rule. To sum up a 2.5kw storage heater may have a running cost of between £1 and £2 per day. If you have 4 heaters running on a daily basis, this will work out very expensive with a weekly average of up to £70 per week !
What Are Electric Storage Heater Running Costs.
Modern storage heaters are to 27% cheaper to run than a standard storage heater system and up to 47% compared to an electric convector heater The cost of running a storage heater depends on a range of different factors, including:- Room size and size and number of windows in the room.
- The insulation in your home
- The age and type of glazing of your windows
- The temperature you are comfortable with
- The severity of the weather in your area
Are Storage Heaters Cheaper to Run Than Gas Heating ?
No . Electricity is one of the most expensive ways to heat your home and we always recommend that if you are on the gas grid, you should convert to gas heating.
Electric Storage heaters are cheaper to run than their counterparts Electric room heaters ( which are plugged in and use statndard rate electric ) but they are still expensive compared to gas heating. Gas heating is approx 2 /3 cheaper than electric.
How To Apply For Free Storage Heaters
How Are You Charged For Running Storage Heaters?
The heaters are wired up to an economy 7 meter which measures how much power is used at nighttime and you are then charged at the prescribed rate for night time use. Night time electricity is approx two thirds cheaper than day rate which makes using storage heaters worth using to heat your home. As stated previously , you should program your heaters to charge up only when electric is at its cheapest which is during the middle of the night You can charge the storage heaters in the day also BUT you will be charged the peak rate which can be 2 thirds more.
How Do Modern Heaters Compare?
Modern electric storage heaters have other attractive characteristics which include:
- Are up to 30% more energy efficient than old ones.
- Have control systems which allow you to have exactly the right amount of heat in each room, when you need it
- Have a built-in convector heater for additional heat when you require it.
- Are slimmer, with a modern stylish design
- Will add value to your home and reduce your bills significantly.
- A boost function for when you might need a little additional warmth.
- A fan Assist to silently disperse the extra heat generated.
- Customizable heating schedules enable users to personalize temperature settings as per the time of the day.
- Modern Storage heaters come with thermostatic controls.
- Some storage heaters are smart heaters that allow you to control it remotely via the internet.
Economy 7 Storage Heaters – Common Faults
If your storage heaters are not working here is a few things you can try to get them up and running again.
The most common causes of a broken storage heaters are within the scope of a competent diyer and are relatively cheap to replace.
Do check the circuit to find faulty components / switch / circuit breakers or measure resistance to check for failed elements in order to eliminate other possible problems. Usually when a section of a storage heater turns cold, it means that an element has failed. Spare parts that commonly cause a broken storage heater include (in order of occurrence):- Faulty Thermostat – (Thermostats & elements commonly fail in 6-8 years )
- Broken Heating Elements
- Terminal block which causes loose connection
- Blown fuses and overheating causing the thermal cut-out to become activated. Be sure to check for these before deciding your storage heater might be broken
- If one side (or the middle of larger storage heaters) is cold, it is possible that one of the elements has blown.
- This is not something you will be able to check yourself, so do call a local electrician.
Should I Try To Fix?
If you are a competent diyer, you may want to have a go yourself. This involves taking off the front panel (remove the fuse / turn off the power first) and replace the thermostat. Try to do a thermostat manual reset.- Turn off the power supply and remove it.
- If you are skilful, go inside and take off the front panel.
- At the top of your storage heater, look for three round polo-like items.
- The black cap nubbin with a red dot is the thermostat. Push it down to reset it. If you hear a click, it should function on the next charge period. If not, then the thermostat could be faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Put back the front panel and turn on the power.
- Wait until the next off-peak charge overnight to see if it takes the next charge.
- If not, call an engineer for a quote of his services or see if you should buy a new one.
Storage Heaters
Pros- Uses cheaper night-time electricity tariffs so heating will be cheaper
- Keeps your home warm throughout the night
- Low installation costs
- Require little maintenance
- No fossil fuels burnt
- Very heavy and bulky
- Poor energy-efficiency – heater loses heat as soon as it is stored, warming the house overnight unnecessarily
- Poor control of heating must be set a day in advance
- Leaves you cold when temperature drops – if you are unprepared for cold weather, changes to your heating won’t come into effect until the next day
- Wasted energy when temperature rises – charge stored in expectation of colder weather will be wasted
- Storage heaters can run out of charge by early evening
- Controls can be difficult to understand
- Can cause stains on walls
- Under an Economy 7 tariff, any electricity used during the day, including top-up heaters for when your storage heaters run out of charge, will use expensive day time rates
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