Standard Electric Storage Heaters can be an efficient way to heat your home, if used correctly. The controls on storage heaters can be confusing; this article is designed to explain the best way to control your storage heater.
How storage heaters work
Traditional storage heaters contain layers of special high density bricks that are heated up using lower cost electricity during off peak times. The heat stored within the bricks can then be released and regulated using the controls.
Using the controls
Storage heaters usually have an ‘input’ dial that regulates how much heat energy the unit stores, and an ‘output’ dial that regulates the amount of heat released.
As an example, if you set the ‘input’ to maximum and the ‘output’ to maximum, the heater will take on as much heat as possible and release it very quickly the next day. Turning down the ‘output’ will slow down the heat release, maintaining the desired temperature for longer.
Input
The ‘input’ dial sets the amount of heat to be stored during the off-peak periods. These depend on your tariff. You can set the ‘input’ on a seasonal basis, for example: medium for autumn/spring higher for winter etc.
If you know it is going to be cold next day, or if you find you run out of heat before the end of the day and the ‘input’ dial is not set high enough, turn it up to store extra heat for the following day.
Output
The ‘output’ dial (sometimes known as the boost dial) sets the rate at which the heater releases heat from the layers of bricks into your room. The ‘output’ dial should be set to low during the night, otherwise you will be wasting heat while you are asleep. Your heater will automatically provide a constant background warmth but turning up the ‘output’ dial gradually throughout the day will release more heat as and when you need it.
Some users of storage heaters may find that they sometimes need to use an additional heating source usually towards the end of the day. If you are too cold, remember to ensure the ‘output’ dial is set to maximum before switching on another source of heat.
Storage heaters operate on Jersey Electricity’s discounted Comfort Heat or Economy 7 heating tariffs. Non-storage type heaters, normally in bedrooms and bathrooms, plugged into a general
Socket will be on the standard General Domestic Tariff.
If your storage heaters are more than 10 years old, you might want to consider replacing them with the latest, more efficient, designs. Today’s storage heaters are not only slim and stylish they are more energy efficient and controllable than their predecessors. State-of-the-art insulation material means they retain heat for longer, giving you more heat when you need it.
Modern storage heaters automatically adjust how much heat they need to store to maximise energy efficiency. Digital controls allow you to set a desired room temperature as well as programme seven-day time patterns to suit your lifestyle. The addition of fans in the radiators ensures that your rooms heat up quickly and efficiently.
The Dimplex Quantum is the most advanced and economical storage heater on the market. UK Government assessments have shown the Quantum to be up to 27% cheaper to run than a standard storage heater. The Quantum’s intuitive digital controls and self-learning capability provide heat on demand to ensure your home is warm and comfortable when you want it to be.
What’s more, you can easily replace and upgrade your old storage heaters with minimum disruption as they can be fitted on top of your floor covering. You can even change them one at a time.
So if your storage heaters have seen better days, call Jersey Electricity on 505460 to find out the cost of replacing them.
