Storage heaters are used to heat the home and many homes have these instead of radiators.
They work differently to radiators and getting to grips with them is important to understand so it can be affordable to run.
They work by storing heat throughout the day and then using electricity overnight to store this, before releasing it the following day to heat the home.
As they use electricity at night when it’s cheaper, the Economy 7 electricity tariff is usually the most cost-effective energy tariff to choose.
Using the Controls
Most storage heaters have two controls at the top of the heater which is usually concealed under a flap.
- How much heat is stored at night is controlled by the input control.
- How much heat is given out is controlled by the output control.
Effectively heating your home
Input settings
- In colder months you will need more heat, so you should turn up the input control up to maximum.
- In warmer months you will need less heat, so you should turn the input control down.
Output settings
- If you are at home in the day turn the output control to a low heat setting.
- If you go out in the day turn the output to the lowest setting.
- When you are at home in the evening, turn the output up if you need more heat.
- Before you go to bed turn the output down to the lowest setting.
Stay Safe!
Storage heaters are safe if they are used correctly.
Follow these tips to make sure you stay safe:
- Covering the surface of the heater or the air grilles can cause the temperature of the heater to rise, and the safety cut out will turn on, never cover the heater.
- Covering storage heaters could also cause a potential fire hazard.
- Dry your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse if you have one. Never dry wet washing on your storage heater, as well as being a fire hazard this can also cause condensation which can lead to damp.
- Make sure there’s a gap of at least 15cm between the top of your storage heater and any curtains