can anyone tell me how storage heaters work?

Question

i have just moved into a flat that has Unidare storage heaters and i have no idea of how to work them. I have heard they make electricity bills sky high?? I would like to know whats the best, cheapest way to use them ...

Answer 1

Hi, if you have storage heaters you should have a economy 7 dual rate electric meter. It will have two meter readings on it. One will be 'low' and the other 'Normal'. The storage heaters will come on at just after midnight and go off again I think it's just before 7am. The electricity they used will be metered on the low reading and charged at a lower rate of about 5p. Normal rate is around 10 - 17 p. a unit. The storage heaters heats up the bricks inside the heater, these bricks release their heat all through the day and you have a lovely warm house. If you do have the dual rate meter then they shouldn't be too expensive to run. Gas and Oil has gone up a lot recently so now they could well be around the same price to run.

Answer 2

Unidare Storage Heaters

Answer 3

Contrary to some answers, storage heating is not anymore expensive than Gas (The cost of gas is quite high at the moment) The main problem with these types of heaters is that a lot of people haven't got much idea on how to operate them properly. Take time to read the manual if it has been left or ask the previous owners or association staff how to work them. Once the stored heat is out that's it, but if you adjust the heater correctly (input/output controls) this stored heat can last a very long time. Modern heaters are also much slimmer than the bulky older models and look pretty good. The yearly cost is difficult to calculate as it will depend on how often it's used by you personally.

Answer 4

How Do Storage Heaters Work

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

can anyone tell me how storage heaters work?

i have just moved into a flat that has Unidare storage heaters and i have no idea of how to work them. I have heard they make electricity bills sky high?? I would like to know whats the best, cheapest way to use them ...

Answer 6

Storage Heaters normally run on an Economy 7 supply which is energised for 7 hours at night.

This heats up the dense heavy bricks inside each heater.

Controlled via an input sensor and thermostat the heat is stored in the bricks.

During the day the heat is discharged via an output sensor .

They are expensive to buy, maintain and run.

They become only "warm" in the evening if you discharge the heat too quickly.

This means you will get cold on some evenings in wintertime.

Hope this explains how they work.

Answer 7

They ought to be in an industrial museum. They should never have been made in the first place. They work by heating up during the nite and releasing their heat during the day. Most people work during the day which means they are cooling down when you get home and require heat. Maybe OK for invalids who are at home during the day and go to bed at 8.30 pm

Install proper central heating.

Interesting note:- 2 identical houses in an avenue, one has NO C/H the other has storage heaters. Which is more expensive?

The one with NO heat, as it is more expensive to pull out the one with storage heaters.

Answer 8

Storage heaters have elements in them which have bricks in front and behind, these elements heat up overnight and subsequently heat the bricks.

The output is controlled simply by a flap at the top, you should have 2 controls, 1 which you adjust depending on how much you want them to store, the second will be the output, this simply adjusts a flap inside which adjusts how much heat comes out.



I lived in flat with these, they're OK if it isn't too cold but useless in colder snaps of weather. they tend to heat the room during the day when everyone is out and then in the evening there is no heat left in them.

Answer 9

They are hopeless and expensive, I had them for a number of years OK until the winter sets in ,there hot during the day time and cold by the evening, I had to sit with a fleece on watching the TV at night an glad to get to bed for some warmth. Now I have gas fitted, more controllable, and more economical

Answer 10

cheapest way to run them is have econ 7 meter fitted in your home Check to see if you have 1

they work by heating large heavy heat retaining blocks over night when electricity is cheaper and releasing it throughout the day, they are however a expensive heater

Answer 11

storage heaters have bricks or similar in side them. they store heat at the cheapest time of the day, nighttime, and then release the heat throughtout the most expensive time of the day, daytime, you should ask your supplier for a cheap meter, ie load it up at night.

Answer 12

i just moved house and i got them too. i got my first quarterly electricity bill from powergen for £50 i was well impressed as i leave them on all day and night cos its so cold. i put all the switches on the highest number dont realy no much else if that dont work get on to the council or housing assossiation!

Answer 13

there is no cheapway to run them,my fiance and i recently moved intoa property with them and decuded that clothes and duvets would be a much cheaper alternative!!! try getting a grant to change to central heating instead,much mure economic!

Answer 14

i wouldnt use them at all i have them and they cost me a nine hundred pound bill last year i have just bought halogen ones this year they are really cheap to run