Electric Heating

jade12378 · 16-07-2012, 15:30

Hi, a newbie here!
A Google search on electric heating led me to a post (unfortunately didn't answer my question) on this forum from 2007, so I hope nobody minds me posting on this topic and that some of you wise people out there will be able to help!
I'm just purchasing a small, 1 bed flat for my mum, which currently has storage heaters and no gas in the vicinity. I have always had gas heating myself, so I don't know anything about the electric variant! The flat I'm buying is in an old building but it has just been renovated (new carpets, doors, upvc windows etc but the storage heaters certainly look as though they haven't been replaced as part of the refurb!
My mum works various shifts, so is sometimes home during the day, sometimes not, sometimes home overnight, sometimes not! When she is at home she likes to not be cold but also doesn't like to be in a sauna!!
I'm thinking that because of her irregular shift pattern, storage heaters might not be the most efficient heating source for her; as some days it'll be letting out heat when she's not there and some nights when she's just got in the flat will be cold as the heaters will be storing energy rather than giving out heat.
So, I'm thinking that something that is more controllable/instantaneous with its heat output would be better option. So, my question is, what do you more knowledgeable people think? And if I do replace the storage heaters (which I'm happy to do, I just want it to be as cheap as possible for my mum to run), do I go for electric radiators, panel heaters or fires? All suggestions greatly appreciated. Cheers!

tizmeinnit · 16-07-2012, 15:34

you could try a calor gas fire or oil filled electric rad? otherwise you are looking a 2kw heater that costs a fortune to run

Taf · 16-07-2012, 17:32

Storage heaters are basically electric elements inside a bit lump of concrete (thermal mass), so they always give out heat once warmed. Typically they are heated using off-peak electricity (usually overnight), then drain their heat during the daytime (and also whilst they are being heated).

Some have fan systems to move the warmed air around, others rely on natural convection.

Electricity is typically 3 times the cost of gas per KwH, but off peak (if available) will be quite a bit cheaper.

Ensure she is buying leccy direct from the provider and not to a landlord who can set his own tariff!!

Ramrod · 16-07-2012, 18:10

If wet heating isn't an option & if you can afford to then rip out the storage heaters and install electric underfloor heating mats (Rayotec are a good company, used them a couple of times)
Electric underfloor is fairly cheap to buy but a bit costly to run but is quite controllable.
I have it in one of my buildings as the sole source of heat and the leccy bills are quite high but then I don't have any gas bills there at all.

Another option I have noticed is "Far Infrared Heating Panels"
They are meant to be cheap to run and the bees knees but I believe they have to be correctly placed in the room and aren't all that controllable......

raging bull · 16-07-2012, 21:50

We have electric storage heating also, house with no gas supply.
The heaters run on what is called 'economy seven heating'.
Summertime the power to heaters is on from 00.30 through till 07.30.
The heat output is controlled via a controlled flap that allows the heat to the room, the amount of heat input is either a) control knob linked to room temperature or b) 2nd contol knob to adjust manually.
Note b) requires constant weather program watching if weather temperature is varying wildly!

progers · 16-07-2012, 22:03

Really depends on the size of the room; if her lounge is not too large, a dimplex oil filled radiator will do the trick, get one with two heat settings and a background heat plus thermostat. She would be best to have a fan heater too, with a thermostat - scenario, arrive home from work, put fan heater on and dimplex too; when room is up to temp, fan heater off when radiator has warmed up.

The problem with storage radiators and underfloor is that they need to heat up on economy seven so unless you keep regular hours, they aren't so good? They also need a fairly long time to heat up and need to be left on

Ramrod · 17-07-2012, 11:58

My underfloor doesn't use economy 7. It comes on and off according to individual room thermostats and is very controllable

raging bull · 17-07-2012, 19:13

Most underfloor heating uses a variation of economy seven, called off peak tarif.
Power available same hours as economy seven plus additional boost during lunchtime?
(Boost period time uncertain with actual time)