Are there any, really good, * warm * storage heaters out there ? Our cottage already has Economy 7 fitted so ( though not used it yet ) I thought I would take advantage of this feature. I realise that storage heaters are apparently unreliable and are notorious for throwing out little heat. But needs must, they are relatively cheap and quick to install. I just need to find the perfect make .....

Starting to suspect the E7 storage heaters we have gave us second to last quarters over £600 electric bill. . . .and the ones with fans cost over £200 each anyway. . . . . .

There is no heating system installed at the moment, Chris. All we have are extortionately expensive electric ( bar ) fires. I feel rather embarrased to admit to using such things We do have a small combi stove, but it takes an awful lot of work feeding it with fresh wood and coal which are consumed so damn fast it's tantamount to sheer slavery ! ( Am considering replacing this with either a Yorkshire Dunsley or maybe a scandinavian Tigchel heater ( see link ) if it isn't too pricey ( which I bet it is ! )

http://www.tigchelkachels.nl/?pag_id=1584&site_id=31

Ludite, I am sorry to learn of your large electric bills, and, yes, those fan assisted storage heaters were the type that most interested me, but your experiences are fast evaporating my enthusiasm, also along with what Chuckey says, seems the fate of the storage heater is sealed, all done and dusted as far as I'm concerned. ' Dis 'em ! !

Yes, Chris, I've certainly considered the Dunsley Yorkshire with back boiler feeding radiators etc. However, my greatest concern here, is just how much wood will be needed to keep all this reliably functioning well throughout the winter ? Being overly dependent on large stores of wood poses somewhat of a worry. I have seen one or two electricity run radiators which the manufacturers claim to be competitive with storage heaters. Electricity, though maybe somewhat more expensive, is so much more reliable. In particular as I am considering having a wind turbine ( I live in a very windy location ! ) to supply much of my electricity. I tend to bounce backward and forward., from one idea to another where heating is concerned. Ground source, Air source, Solar, Wind power and so on. No doubt many do. The heating issue has got to be one of the biggest concerns in this country today ........

There are a few comparison sites that might help..

http://www.nottenergy.com/energy-costs-comparison3

Perhaps check out the availability of wood chips in your area?

Thank you, CWatters for the comparison chart. A nice lot of facts to addle my brains with
We don't have any insulation in the cottage as yet, Nigel, Oh the misery ! but this is certainly on the agenda once our builders can get around to it. We need the thinest insulation with the highest u-values poss because the rooms are small. The outside will be Lime-tec ( breathable and thermal ) First things first, starting with the conservatory, which is like all the other rooms here * freezing * unless the sun is shining ..... No we do not have any gas here.

<blockquote>

Building regs require you to maintain an external grade door between the house and conservatory and the heating must be on a seperate time clock/thermostat to the rest of the house. Otherwise it has to be insulated to the same standards as a regular room and that's typically impossible for many conservatories. Simply not enough wall to insulate.</blockquote>

Is that a new reg? I'm aware of loads of conservatories where this is not the case. Not even a door! It might be that building inspectors aren't checking up .

This is something that is specifically covered in the RDSAP training for EPCs. The rules are "If a conservatory is separated by an external grade door, then it can be ignored". However, if it is an internal door, or no door, then the measurements of the conservatory and glazing types must be taken and entered into the software. There was a guy at the back of my old house who had a conservatory built across the whole rear of his house (north facing). At the same time he took out the dining room french doors, the kitchen window, and the utility room door. So his whole down stairs is now open plan into the conservatory. He also had aircon fitted to the lounge and upstairs bedroom. Some people just don't get it and should be protected from their own mistakes. Extension yes - conservatory no! Aircon - no, blinds yes!

And to get back on thread. Storage heaters aren't useless if you live off the gas grid. The problem is controllability. You end up with big bills usually because the storage is getting a full charge charge on warmer days (as no one ever turns down the charge input). You can get on a Economy 10 tariff with some suppliers - which gives you a lower rate afternoon top up - but not as cheap as your night time rate. I recall one supplier was trialling remote charging of the storage heater circuit based on the next days weather forecast back in the late 1990's. Not sure if it went commercial - but I recall - there was a switched second circuit wired purely for the cheap rate electric.

Not sure if anyone sells them but I saw an "electric boiler" system on my training. Think of a central storage heater, with a wet radiator system to distribute the heat.

But I'd go with wood log boiler (not stove) - If had a reliable supply. You load your logs up once, and the fire up is automatic, they burn is done in one continous go for effiecincy. And heat is fed into a big water tank - called an accumulator which holds 1000+ Litres. Should last more than a day before you need to reload. But do your insualtion first. Sounds like you should be looking at external insulation if you are rendering anyway.

Simon.

Have a look at Duoheat from Dimplex. These are the Rolls Royce of storage heaters. We have used these and are happy with them.


http://www.dimplex.co.uk/products/domestic_heating/installed_heating/duoheat_radiator/duoheat_radiator/index.htm

For advice on how to control storage heaters check Storageheaters.com Contains detailed instructions on storage heater installation and maintenance. Dimplex, Creda and Elnur are popular manufacturers for storage heaters.


http://www.storageheaters.com

A well educated user should save money on heating bills compared to gas heating, electric panel heaters or fan heaters. It is worth spending time understanding how storage heaters work if you want to save money.

I've got storage heating in my house - inherited from its first owner. Dimplex XL5 units are about 10 years old.

The main disadvantage is lack of control. The units store heat at night and therefore they (and your house) are at their hottest in the morning. This gradually drops off during the day.

There is rudimentary control over the rate of heat release, and you can open the vents in the evening to boost the temperature of the house. But you *must* remember to close them again, otherwise they will overheat the house during the night and you won't have much stored heat for the next day.

Generally, it works OK for us; the house got a bit parky during the cold snap in January.

Interesting factoid - the reason the Economy 7 tariff is so cheap is because nuclear plants can't be turned off at night, so they have to keep on generating electricity even when no-one is consuming it.

Are ALL storage heaters useless ?

Yes!

There is(was?) a firm based somewhere near Straford on Avon that installed a water based system. My brother-in-law had one. The storage tank was built in-situ in an outhouse and was about 1m thick X 2m high and 3m long. It was fully insulated so fully controllable, but what a behemoth!
Frank

Posted By: storm....ummm.....so I take it ....not to beat around the bush,...not to preamble ... or be too long winded... not to prevaricate or be overly hesitant upon the matter .....you don't like storage heaters then, StuartB ?

No!

Just be aware that there are new planning rules being introduced for ASHPs (along with wind generators) because of noise...probably on another thread by now!

We distribute and install a system that will save you around 35 % on your electric bill compared with storage heaters. check out our website www.rcs-energyefficiency.co.uk