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My new flat has these new fangled storage heaters. I don't really like using them because I don't know how, and also you have to turn them on a day before, which is not very flexible.
I've also got this 2.5k portable oil radiator that kicks out some extreme heat. Thinking about using that as and when I need it. Will I die? Will I end up with some astronomical bill? Or would it be better to have the Storage heaters on all winter?
I think I'd prefer the bill for something that produces heat, not a system that's absolutely ****e! But you know, we all have different views.
well ill tell you what i do know.
it will be cold tomorrow during winter.
its 6 of 1 and half dozen of the other but for heating the room your in and none of the others - your oil radiator wins hands down - if your thinking of trying to heat your house with oil radiators instead of storage heaters your on a hiding to nothing - esp if your house is on economy 7/10 where they heat up on cheaper leccy during the night....
run the economy 7 storage heaters on a low setting in every room - except the bedroom, (disconnect it totally) unless you like it to get hot around 3am!
use an oil filled rad, in a single room to actually make it warm in the evening.
There are two things to consider, are you on an Economy 7 type tariff (different costs between day and night) and how far are you willing to compromise the 'flexibility' of immediate heat for the price of heating?
You need to look at your electricity tariff and work out how much you will be paying for each. If you storage heaters aren't labelled with their rating, you can work it out approximately from your meter reading with and without the heaters on for an hour or overnight. As has been said, the Economy 7 tariff would mean it is much more cost-effective to heat the house at night.
If you are not on an Economy 7 type tariff then I would expect using storage heaters to be no cheaper than using the oil radiator.
(disconnect it totally)
The previous owner of our house decided to 'disconnect' the storage heaters 'totally' by removing the heaters from the walls but leaving the wiring sticking out. But they didn't remove the tails from the consumer unit, or even flick the RCBO breakers.
You should be able to switch them off either at a wall socket or at the consumer unit.
Thanks chaps,
Yes, I am on Economy 7, so Ideally I'd have the storage heater on in the bedroom (1.5k) on the lowest setting just to keep the chill off, but I don't know how to do this, or even whether a lower setting actually saves money. There's an 'output dial' and an 'input dial'. Whenever I've messed with it before it seems to get baking hot in the day when I'm not in there.
The input dial determines how hot it gets overnight, you'll basically need trial and error to find the right setting for your tastes.
The output dial open/closes vents which is supposed to control how quickly it releases the stored heat. I haven't found this makes much difference in real terms. Obviously there's no way to stop it outputting heat entirely.
This is very much my experience with them as well! I don't use them in my flat now, I have a couple of oil-filled radiators which I use as and when required instead.Whenever I've messed with it before it seems to get baking hot in the day when I'm not in there.
thats how storage heaters work...... the idea being that the air in your house is then hot for you getting home..
reality - heating your house with electric = one of the most expensive ways to do it by what ever method - unless your on solar PV
So a lower input setting equates to lower temp? Does it also equate to = less money?
Ideally, Id have a couple of the storage heaters on at their lowest setting to stop the place getting too cold. And the oil rad in the living room when I'm using it. I also like to leave some windows open in the front room during the day so all the heat from the storage heaters would go straight out of the window and not be replaced.
Yes, there's a heating element in the storage heater just like in the oil-filled radiator. The more you turn it up, the hotter it gets (and the more it costs).So a lower input setting equates to lower temp? Does it also equate to = less money?
Keep the Output vents on the lowest setting until you come home. When home open them up to release the heat for the evening. Before you go to bed, close them all again.
Ahhh...
The penny has dropped. I'll just try it on '1' and see how I go. I don't like a heated bedroom generally, but it'd be nice to keep the ice on the outside at least.
this has to be a troll.
i get cold but i like to leave my windows open ? are you my neighbour ? she moans at me about her oil bill and how we dont seem to get as many deliveries of oil as she does - her windows are open damn near all year round.
Lol.
No, I don't have my windows open all the time. Just for an hour or so in the day. To get some fresh air in the place.
its not a hermetic box - it has ventalation if you want more windows on catch or open the trickle vents - else your just paying to heat up outside every night.