Electric heating: Storage heater controls and
Immersion heaters
Electric heating can be cost-effective if used correctly. However, understanding the storage heater's mode of operation and using the heater effectively throughout the year takes more thought and planning than a central heating system.
Please note: storage heaters have the potential to be a FIRE HAZARD and as such the general rule is that there must be at least 6 inches of clearance around the heater: Do not cover the storage heater or it may overheat.
Fuel supplier tariff: Economy 7
This can be checked on a fuel bill or a prepayment meter, if there are day (more expensive) and night (cheaper) rates (usually seen as rate 1 - day, and rate 2/rate 4 - night, on prepayment meters). Night units are approximately one third of the price of day units.
Economy7 night rate times are 12 until 7 am (winter) and 1 until 8am (summer). All electric is cheap between these times, so use timers and programmers to your advantage.
Operating the storage heater
Power switch
This is located on the wall next to the storage heater (the electricity cable runs into it). These should be switched off during the summer when you do not require heat.
The amount of heat stored can be altered using the controls on the storage heater unit:
Input
This is usually the right-hand control. It determines the temperature of the stored heat. This depends on room temperature/weather and will partly determine the amount of electricity the storage heater uses over night. In mid-winter the input control should be at almost maximum and reduced for desired temperature at other times of the heating period.
Output
This is usually the left-hand control and may also be called heat boost / room temperature on some models. It opens and closes a damper flap behind the grill on the storage heater. This control should be altered at least daily. When heat is not required, turn this to minimum.
For example (in a typical 9-5 working day), turn it down before bed as you do not usually require heat when you are in bed (as it will heat up, release heat, heat up again, etc.; costing more and running out of heat quicker); then try to conserve the heat during the day and only release it during the evening when you require the most heat (remember to turn it down again before going to bed).
Immersion Heater
Hot water tanks will have either one or two immersion heaters. These may be controlled by a timer, or by switches. Take care to find out how your immersion heater works as they can be very expensive to run during the daytime.
If your tank has two elements: The lower element of the water tank will work on economy7 times (during the night) and heat a whole tank of water, cheaply. The top element will operate the ‘boost’ control and you can switch this on at any time to heat the upper third of the tank – please note this will be more expensive during the day rate. This method will be the same for single element tanks (the element will heat both at peak rate and at off peak rate).
Providing an insulated ‘jacket’ for the tank will help to keep the water hot for longer and save money. Don’t forget if there is a timer for the immersion heater to make sure it is set to the correct time and to switch between summer and winter (when there is a change in clocks).
Other types of electric heating
As well as storage heaters you may find your property has other electric heating. Anything which is turn on during peak rate electricity (day time) will be quite expensive to run. This is all about timing – the longer something is on for, the more electricity it will use. The cost of running an appliance will vary depending on electricity supplier and tariff.
Convector heater Switches on and off at the wall, some may be fitted with timers. Also known as panel heaters or electric fires. Will smell slightly when first switched on, this is normal and is just the dust which has settled on the heating element. These cost between 20 and 35p/hour. Some storage heaters may have a convector heater inside them (if there is an additional switch which gives out heat at any time).
Halogen heater These are radiant heaters which directly warm people or objects in a room rather than the air. They cost between 5 and 25p per hour, depending on the heat setting used and your electricity price.
Fan heater You can buy these cheaply and they will quickly warm a room. They can also be found in kitchens and bathrooms of properties heated with storage heating. Please be aware that they can be expensive to run. Typical costs are between 20 and 40p/hour.
Oil filled radiator These are free standing heaters which are filled with oil. They usually can be timed and depending on setting used and cost of electricity they will cost between 10 and 30p/hour to run.
If you require further assistance or advice please contact energyextra (see below).
Energyextra, 134 High Street, Blackheath, West Midlands, B65 0EE Phone: 0121 561 1969