Re: >>Optimum use of storage heating
Some other posts
Ocras
Frequent poster
Optimum use of Storage Heating.
I got some private PM’s regarding a storage heater post which accidentally disappeared into cyberspace, so I will repost it again. I hope it is of use too some AAM users. I also think that the ESB would be doing their energy conservation/awareness policy a lot of good, if they were to advise customers of their efficient use, as I believe a high proportion of storage heater users do not know how to use them correctly, at a financial cost
1. Storage heaters are exactly that. They store heat which is generated at night (11pm to 8am), by means of a cheap rate tariff, as there is not a high demand on our electricity grid at night. This is a separate meter that the consumer has and a separate sealed timeswitch, supplied by the ESB.
They store heat by means of elements heating bricks within the heater unit. To stop this heat dissipating immediately (during the night), the storage heater unit has an insulated housing.
To release this heat, there is an internal mechanical flap at the top of the heater, which the user can open to varying apertures, which allows heat to escape from the bricks and heat the surrounding environment.
2. To control the amount that we heat the bricks up to, we use the thermostat (Input Dial, situated at top or side of heater). This is a trial and error setting as it is relevant to the insulation properties of the building and heat required. As a base, during very cold weather, have it set high. During cold weather have it set medium. When the property is vacant, and dampness needs to be avoided, set both low. What you pay for your heating, will be proportional to this setting, but is also relational to the setting of the mechanical flap (Output Dial, situated at top or side of heater).
In other words, a kettle would take more time to boil, and hence use more electricity, if the lid was left off.
3. To control the amount of heat we let out of the heater, we use the Output Dial (mechanical flap). This should ideally be closed (output set low) during the night. As the bricks heat up, there is always some escape of heat through the insulation of the housing, which heats the surrounds adequately.
If we have this flap open (output set high) during the night, then the bricks are constantly releasing heat, so the thermostat does not control the input and you are constantly paying. Alongside this, the bricks have not stored enough heat to dissipate out during the day.
So the ideal setting for the flap is to have it closed during the night, and to be opened gradually during the day, as the heat is required. (please note, that if the area is still cold at night, with the input set high, you should open the flap slightly (output set low/medium)).
So, to summarise, Input is left at a certain setting relevant only to weather periods.
Output is left low at night and adjusted daily, relative to the heat required.
4. On the subject of combination heaters; In my personal opinion they are terrible. They have nothing to do with the storage heater. They are a separate convector heater, stuck on to the front of the storage heater, and run only on the high ESB tariff, day or night.
They have very bad thermostatic qualities, as they are attached to the storage heater, and hence their thermostat is reacting to the heat that is directly around the storage heater. They will cost you.
What I would recommend as a supplementary backup heater, irrelevant of what your main central heating system is, is the oil filled electric radiators on wheels. Their thermostat reacts excellently to the surrounding temperature, and does not click on, due to nuisance drafts, such as a door opening momentarily. In other words the differential in the thermostat is energy efficient.
sueellen
Moderator
Re: Optimum use of Storage Heating.
Hi Ocras,
Thanks for taking the trouble to post this helpful/informative post. Hopefully it will prove useful/cost effective to any AAM storage heater users.
Thanks again,
Sueellen.
Daithi
Registered User
I would like to add
All storage heaters should be on timers. ie turn on and off at the required times set by the low rate of electricity.
Its amazing how many people leave the heater on all day using the day rate.
These heaters can be extremely economical if used correctly.
If you switch over to a night time meter then you should make damned sure that you have a timer on your dish washer, washing machine, dryer, hot water etc to make sure you get the value for the extra standing charge.
These appliances should come on during the low rate time.
Ocras
Frequent poster
Re: I would like to add
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Hi Daithi, it's a correct addition, but is relevant to "Gold Shield Homes" or "Night Saver Tarriff" system only.
For any readers, my post related to standard storage heating installations which is indicated on their ESB bill.
ClubMan
Administrator
Re: I would like to add
Its amazing how many people leave the heater on all day using the day rate.
With Nightsaver/Goldshield storage heaters this is not possible unless the night meter's clock is out of whack or you are actually referring to the convection heater part of combined storage/convection heaters?
Daithi
Registered User
Any storage heaters i've seen
Any storage heaters i've seen can be left on in the day time and are not convection heaters.
