The UK is bracing itself for an expensive winter. Even with the government’s imposition of a price cap of 34p per kilowatt on electricity and 10p per kilowatt on gas, the cost of heating our homes will be 54% higher than last year. An increase of that size will be noticed by the vast majority of us and is likely to put a hole in most budgets. The need to find ways of reducing power usage or minimising the cost has become urgent and electric storage heaters are a great way to do that.
Already we’ve heard suggestions such as using the highest-consumption domestic appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers only in the evenings or overnight. These are the times when prices may reduce from the standard daily rate to an off-peak tariff (depending on your supplier and deal), when energy use in offices and factories is markedly lower. This is no use for home heating, since you’ll be sleeping through the hours of heat and waking to a rapidly cooling home that stays cold throughout the day and into the evening. However, the off-peak tariffs offered by energy companies are extremely cost-effective if you install an electric storage heater.
What is a Storage Heater?
Also known as a night storage heater, it contains a heat element and storage component, commonly in the form of ceramic panels or clay bricks. These materials have exceptional heat-retention properties, which means they can be heated overnight using lower-cost electricity and store the heat for use during the following day. They are a 100% efficient, zero-emission alternative to traditional central heating.
How Does a Storage Heater Work?
Having built up a heat reserve overnight, most storage heaters give you options for how to use it during the day. You can put it on a low setting which will release the heat gradually throughout the day, maintaining a constant ambient temperature. Alternatively, you can use its output controller to raise or lower the heat output as you wish. This is usually done through the operation of vents which can be opened to increase the amount of heat released into the room. Obviously, the higher the setting, the more quickly the stored heat will be used up, so you need to pace your usage throughout the day to avoid running out by the evening.
How Does the Off-Peak Tariff Work?
There are various tariffs offered by the electricity companies. The best known one is probably Economy 7, so named because it gives you seven hours of cheap overnight electricity. Economy 10, naturally enough, gives you 10 hours. Other tariffs exist which can provide even better value based on your usage patterns. These usually operate with a smart meter that allows the supplier to monitor and verify the amount you use and when you use it. As metering technology becomes more sophisticated, it’s quite possible that the number of economy tariffs and the times at which they apply will increase.
Are Electric Storage Heaters Really Worth it?
In terms of efficiency, the answer is a resounding yes. There is no wastage – all the electricity they use is converted into heat. If you choose a renewable energy tariff, you are also cutting out carbon emissions. Having said that, electricity is much more expensive than gas, so you must ensure that you select the lowest tariff available.
A small heater consumes about 1 kilowatt and larger ones as much as 3 kilowatts. That sounds very high, but remember that this is the maximum they will use when they are running at full capacity. Many storage heaters are designed to cut out when the element has reached its optimum heat and will also adapt to ambient temperatures, automatically adjusting the heat they supply. As a rough guide, a medium-sized heater consuming 2 kW on a full seven-hour charge at the capped rate of 34p will cost a maximum of £4.76 a day. In the summer months, the figure will be drastically lower or zero.
If you’re concerned about the work involved in switching to an electric storage heater, you should bear in mind that it is much easier to install than other types of heating which require boilers, pipework and flues. Even boiler maintenance is a regular cost which you can avoid by using electric storage heaters.
As an energy saving, cost-cutting measure, an electric storage heater has a lot in its favour. It’s easy and clean to install, simple to run and needs virtually no maintenance. If you’re concerned about keeping your home warm throughout the winter, it could be the answer.
How Can We Help?
Here at Next Energy we want to help you save money now more than ever. Apply on our website to see if you qualify for a grant, these grants can help save you masses amount of money. If you aren’t keen on electrical storage heaters then we have many alternatives on how you can keep your home warm this winter. Our cavity wall, external wall and internal wall insulation can help you keep the house warm this winter without costing an absolute fortune. Get in contact with us today to discuss your options and find the best one for you.
