Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Replacing storage heater

Options
  • 26-01-2017 3:22pm
    #1
    Marhay70
    Registered Users Posts: 1,916 ✭✭✭


    My daughter has storage heating in the bedrooms in her flat, these are less than useless for anybody who is working all day.
    I was thinking of getting wall mounted convector or panel heaters to replace them and my question is. As there are no sockets in the area, is it possible to just remove the faceplate from the storage heater flex outlet and fit a socket in its place?


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,461 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Won't those power outlets be on a circuit that is only live during off-peak hours? That's the deal with storage heaters.


  • Options
    #3
    Marhay70
    Registered Users Posts: 1,916 ✭✭✭Marhay70


    coylemj wrote: »
    Won't those power outlets be on a circuit that is only live during off-peak hours? That's the deal with storage heaters.

    Not something that occurred to me. You reckon it's a no, then?


  • Options
    #4
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,461 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    I'm a bit out of date by the looks of it. There was a time when storage heaters were on a separate circuit and separate meter, that meter only allowed appliances to be powered during off-peak hours and for a limited time (boost) for maybe a couple of hours in the afternoon. Typically only storage heaters were on that circuit because any other appliance would be unusable in the daytime. The rate per unit would be less on the night meter and it was sealed to stop you from messing with the clock.

    The way it works nowadays appears to be that you have a single meter (called a NightSaver) which has two counters, one which measures consumption between 08:00 and 23:00 GMT and another counter which measures (off-peak) consumption outside those hours, that could include washing machine, dishwasher, immersion and storage heaters. You pay roughly half the rate per unit for the juice consumed during off-peak hours.

    Storage heaters would then be on a timer to heat up during off-peak hours and maybe get a boost in the afternoon. With that new dual meter, there would be no restriction on when you turn on the storage heaters so you could get the faceplates removed but for a permanently mounted wall heater, you would typically use a spur and not a socket .....

    42268048.jpg


  • Options
    #5
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,459 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    The storage heater may not be set correctly, they work well once they're set right.


  • Options
    #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,461 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    The storage heater may not be set correctly, they work well once they're set right.

    Realistically, they don't suit people who work during the day which is the issue with the OP's daughter. To heat her flat in the evening after work, she has to pay for peak time electricity in the afternoon to heat up the storage heaters, they will then discharge the heat in the evening but if she comes home from work and has to go straight back out again for some socialising, all the energy is wasted - the heaters will churn out the heat while the flat is empty.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    This is not a DIY job. Potentially dead cables may become live during the alterations. Get a REC out to check the heaters and all associated wiring and they'll explain also how to adjust the heaters to an evening time boost so most of the heat comes out as they come home. DO NOT start messing with the wiring as you clearly do not have a working knowledge of it.


  • Options
    #8
    punisher5112
    Registered Users Posts: 24,644 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Not really if set correctly and storage heater is fully functional.

    1. Check timer is correct.

    2. Check the heater is heating all elements.

    3. Clean out all vents and flaps.

    4. Make sure different settings are set and can be set.

    After its found to be of correct working order set the heat or input to top turn but always turn back down a little from last bit of the turn.

    Then when going to work close the flap setting to 1 and open when home it will keep heat for longer.


  • Options
    #9
    Marhay70
    Registered Users Posts: 1,916 ✭✭✭Marhay70


    Thanks lads, best to give it a miss it seems. The alternative is to use extension leads, would these be suitable for heavy duty appliances?


  • Options
    #10
    hufpc8w3adnk65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,158 ✭✭✭✭hufpc8w3adnk65


    Marhay70 wrote: »
    Thanks lads, best to give it a miss it seems. The alternative is to use extension leads, would these be suitable for heavy duty appliances?

    Again no. Most heaters are 3kw minimum. Having that load constant on an extension lead would lead to over heating issues. Get the storage heating looked at by a REC who can check the timers,elements and settings and go from there then


Advertisement