Storage Heaters

[Donna Johnson]

I need some help and someone to explain this really simply.  I have storage heaters on Economy 10.  I understand that they heat electricity up during the night, but if I am cold, during the day, or late evening, how do I get heat to come out when I want it.  

 

[Zeespark]

What make and model number are your storage heaters? some have a boost facility that can be turned on and off in the day but can be expensive. :Welcome:   to the forum.

Andy Guinness

 

[Robin Laverick]

http://www.fastlec.co.uk/blog/?p=315

Hi Donna,

Storage heaters only charge up the bricks inside them at night time (using cheaper rate electricity). They release their heat during the day.

The article above explains in more detail.

Hope it helps.

 

[steptoe]

you need to ensure your output setting is set to minimum during night time to ensure the bricks hold the full 'charge'

then it can be gradually opened the following evening to release more heat as the day gets cooler.

the other thing to remember is if you have had the heaters off for a while during the summer it will take a few days[nights] for the bricks to gain their full heat again.

 

[Doc Hudson]

I need some help and someone to explain this really simply.  I have storage heaters on Economy 10.  I understand that they heat electricity up during the night, but if I am cold, during the day, or late evening, how do I get heat to come out when I want it.  

Welcome to the forum Donna, in addition to the advice give by our other members above, if your heaters are quite old or you have concerns about the efficiency at heating, it may be worthwhile getting an electrician to call in and check they are all still fully operational. Many storage heaters have multiple electrical elements to heat up bricks, the bricks then release the heat via a mechanical flap inside the unit. Sometimes one or more elements can blow in a heater, so when they are storing heat over night they cannot gain maximum heat as one or more elements are no longer working.

Doc H.

 

[Technician]

This may be useful.

[PDF]ECONOMY 10 TIMES - The Electric Heating Company

Economy 10 has an off peak period during the day.

 

[Evans Electric]

Just simplifying storage heaters  ,   I think yours may be the older ones that needed a boost charge during the day .

However they are not intended to be switched on & off at will like a fan heater ,say.    A time switch allows power to them during the OFF PEAK period at night, the bricks inside them contain the heat and release it slowly.  During the day there is no power to them (Econ 7)  Your Econ 10 has a midday boost .

Like Stepps says  , if you are out during the day , turn the OUTPUT down to retain heat for the evening.

Edit;   Just re-read your post , they are not very flexible I'm afraid , although yours recharge in the the day , you could try opening the OUTPUT   and warming room #1    while retaining it in the heater in room #2  for use later .

I may be rambling now :C

 

[Nicky Tesla]

you could get a booster switch often used for water heaters which can bring in the contactor for 1/2 hr 1hr 2hr or 3hr depending on your setting it will need to be installed next to your DB

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/HOE15.html?source=adwords&kw=&gclid=CPLGnoHN9rkCFcTKtAodvXkAQA

 

[Apache]

Life with storage heaters takes some getting used to. There is a degree of 'art' getting the settings right, but with practice it can be done.

Firstly make sure that you have done all you can to retain heat - loft insulation, draft proofing, closing doors etc. When it was really cold the other winter we even left the curtains closed and that made a HUGE difference.

Unless your storage heaters have a convector heater boost built in then dump the idea of switching them on for a bit in the day - they don't work well like that. You need an additional source of heat - we have a multi-fuel stove.

Whilst you are learning you will come home to a cold house a time or two. Remember that once the fabric of the house cools down it can take a few days to warm up properly - in a way your house is a giant storage heater.

As has been said - if you are in doubt how well the heaters themselves are working get them checked out.

I suspect it's more that you need to learn how they work. We have a warm house, but it took some work to get there using night storage heaters and coal!

 

[Technician]

+1 with Apache.  I went to do a grant assessment on a large

semi and he went for the full monty of loft insulation and CWI.

He had three N/S units and had been contemplating oil C/H.

On re-visiting, he had turned all the settings down and had

also abandoned the central heating plan.