Overview Storage Heaters
Storage heaters explained: costs, benefits and types
Storage heaters have come a long way, advancements in technology mean nowadays they’re far more desirable.
Mainly because they can help you save energy and lower your bills.
Have a look through this guide then if there’s anything else you need to know about this smart, efficient
way to heat your home call us, or hit the contact button to find out more.
What are storage heaters and how do they work?
Storage heaters use off-peak energy to store heat. They do that? By warming internal ceramic bricks during the night, when there’s less pressure on the National
Grid, they then release heat gradually throughout the following day.
Storage heaters are highly insulated – which means they can hold onto stored heat for quite a long time! And because they use off-peak energy, which is cheaper than
standard rate electricity you’ll likely pay less for your energy and lower your bills.
This makes storage Heaters ideal when you use them with a money-saving, off-peak Economy 7 tariff.
Not only are storage heaters good at heating your home but they help fight the climate crisis while doing it.
They don’t charge up during the day, when there’s higher demand for carbon-heavy gas-powered electricity on the grid. Instead, by charging at night when the grid is
more likely to be powered by renewables, storage heaters are a lower carbon form of heating.
Storage heater advantages
They’re cheaper to run than other forms of peak-hour electrical heating systems
Modern storage heaters have some clever built-in features such as programmable timers, fans, and built-in thermostats
They’re exceptionally quiet, even the ones with a fan
They can be mounted onto any wall
They come a range of sizes and outputs
They only use electricity, so they can be placed anywhere that electricity can be wired
Storage heater disadvantages
There’s lots to get excited about when it comes to storage heaters – but there are one or 2 other things to consider before you decide that they’re right for you.
Storage heaters use electricity, which can be more expensive than gas
With some of the more basic models, excess stored heat can sometimes make a room a little too warm
Sometimes, your stored heat might be used up by evening – which is often the exact time you want to crank up the temperature!
Types of storage heaters
Nowadays, storage heaters come with a range of features, including digital programmers, open window sensors, electronic room temperature controls, and WiFi controls.
Most modern models also have built-in thermostats, and many are fan-assisted to help circulate the heat.
In general, the more you spend, the more features your model will have. The major brands, are Creda, Dimplex, Elnur, Heatstore, Stiebel Eltron, and Vent Axia.
Dimplex’s Quantum storage heaters are some of the most advanced and economical around. You can programme them with daily and weekly schedules and set the room
temperature. Dimplex’s iQ controller monitors the room and learns your heating habits! They also have a fan, a thermostat, a child-lock, and a boost
function to give you instant heat when you need it.
In general, there are 3 main types of storage heater – automatic, combination and high heat retention models.
Automatic models
These have replaced the old storage heaters, where you had to manually select how much heat to store. These newer models are designed to detect
the room temperature and set themselves, so they’re much more efficient.
Combination models
These work the same way as automatic models, but they can also add extra heat during peak hours if necessary. They also have more advanced controls, for
a bit of added flexibility.
High heat retention models
These use the latest in storage heater technology, and feature highly-insulated cores and quiet fans. They’re ideal for releasing heat exactly when it’s needed
and they can also bring you instant heat during the day if you want it.
how much do storage heaters cost?
Storage heaters can vary dramatically in price. It all depends which type you go for, and which brand you choose.
Basic models can cost as little as £150.00, but you can expect to pay around £700 for a high heat retention storage heater.
It’s worth bearing in mind that more expensive storage heaters are better insulated and more controllable – making them more efficient and cheaper to run.
Storage heater installation costs
Storage heaters need to be installed by a qualified electrician, and prices can vary – so it’s a good idea to get at least 3 quotes.
Installing a replacement storage heater usually starts at around £140.00 if there’s existing wiring (excluding the cost of the new heater,).
New installations will cost more, as wiring in will need to be included as part of the job. Remember Newer storage heaters require two Electrical connections,
one economy 7 the other standard rate.
Storage heater features
Some common storage heater features include:
A boost function, to give you extra warmth when you need it
A silent fan (in auto-combination models) to circulate heat more efficiently
Programmable heating schedules, to let you set customised heating patterns for different days and times – just as you can with gas central heating
Thermostatic controls, so your room’s heated to the perfect temperature
Remote controls, so you can even operate them from your smartphone over Wi-Fi.
How can I make the most of my storage heater?
Be sure to use off-peak electricity when using your storage heater
Check the timings of your Economy 7/off-peak tariff with your energy supplier, as this could vary depending on where you live
Check that your heaters are storing the right amount of heat. Most modern storage heaters can do this automatically, but on older models you may need to set it yourself
Set the amount of heat you’d like to be released, and when
Are storage heaters worth getting?
That depends, if, (pardon the pun) your a tree hugger its probably right for you, if on the other hand every penny counts , it might not be. For efficiency reasons alone, you can’t beat
storage heaters. All the electricity they use is converted directly into heat, making them 100% efficient. Plus, with a storage heater you’re better able to precisely control
your heating, so you waste less energy.
Making better use of cheaper, greener off-peak energy is a key part of reducing our carbon footprint. When you consider that 15% of the UK's carbon emissions come from heating our homes
it’s clear why we need alternatives that use renewable energy sources.
Of course, electricity costs more than gas, so electric heaters can be expensive to run. That’s why you must have an off-peak tariff like Economy 7 to make storage heaters more cost-effective.
Are storage heaters right for my home?
Storage heaters used to be thought of as a plan B if you weren’t connected to the mains gas supply. But times have changed, and modern storage heaters are being favoured even
if there is access to the mains. So find out if storage heaters could be the right choice for your home:
Easy installation
Low maintenance
Long service life (up to 30 years warranty in some cases!)
Storage heaters are good for listed properties where central heating is difficult to install
Storage heaters are a low-carbon option.