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Are dimplex optiflames heaters/Electric Fires economical?

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  • 10-02-2004 1:14am
    #1
    dwayneburke
    Registered Users Posts: 731 ✭✭✭


    are dimplex optiflames heaters/Electric Fires economical?

    Something like this http://www.esb.ie/retailasp/esb_sho...rodcode=6261629

    I have a storage heater but would like a home fire feel?

    Are they warm as opposed to the storage heater?

    Tks


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    #2
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,387 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    The above link is broken, is this the one you are talking about? http://www.esb.ie/retailasp/esb_shops/product1.asp?cat=14&subcat=1&prodcode=6261629

    These work quite differently to storage heaters insofar as they give direct heat, wheras storage heaters build up heat slowly and release it slowly, ideally using cheap overnight electricity. This type of fire would be ideal for coming home to a cold house and heating a room quickly and you could use it to supplement storage ehaters.

    Electric heaters should give as close to 100% efficiency as possible, compared to gas which might provide 40%. However, gas is much cheaper to buy (note higher monthly standing charge) per kWH. There are new flueless gas fires that claim much higher efficiency (less heat going up chimney).

    You should investigate the additional costs over and above the €500 purchase price (wiring, surround, plaster repairs & painting).


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    #3
    Stoner
    Registered Users Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    biggest problem with storage heaters is control, basically they have very little. People usually mess up the vents but even the most knowledgeable user would complain that they are too hot when you dont need them and too cold when you want them.
    They are cheap to put in- the economicy of electrical power are all based on initial outlay price vs running cost, the more expensive a system is, the less it costs to run- kind of like printers i guess.
    Anyway storage heater are the cheapest install from a developers point of view- cost alot less then rads and boilers, very few electricians install them into their own house so that should say somwthing about them.
    Anyway they eat electricity during the day- if you want to save some money , make use to the dual tarrif night rate ESB meter you have by running washing machines/dishwashers/dryers at night this will have a huge effect on you bill


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