What are storage heaters?
Storage heaters store their heat when the electricity is cheap or ‘off-peak’ and then release it as and when needed, which is during the daytime when electricity is more expensive. Most homes that have storage heaters will be on economy 7, which is essentially a different tariff that has 2 different rates for peak and off peak energy use. You would also normally find storage heaters in homes that are “off-gas grid”, which means that they don’t have access to gas and until recently, have been limited with the options to replace their old and inefficient storage heaters until today.
Right now you have quite a few options – not only do you have modern storage heaters, but you have heat pumps (both air source and ground source) as well as biomass boilers.
In terms of modern storage heaters, the fan assisted storage heaters seem to be the way to go compared to the bulky 1970s and 1980s units that most people can remember. They are not only slimmer but store and distribute the energy more effectively.
The Dimplex Quantum Storage Heater
The Quantum storage heater by Dimplex is one of the most efficient and effective storage heaters to hit the market. First of all it boasts a more compact and better insulating inner core, which means that it can store up to 70% of useful heat.
Quantum storage heaters are slimmer and more efficient.
Like the fan-assisted storage heater, the Quantum heater also has a fan based system to distribute the heat. Where it goes beyond most of these models is that it not only has sophisticated heating controls, namely a very impressive LCD screen and dials to give power to the user, but the charge controller is fairly advanced, which means that the heater has inbuilt algorithms that enable it to learn the heating habits of the domestic user. Old style heaters relied on output dials, which estimated the local room temperature – a very ineffective way to run a heating system.
Where the Quantum is also good is that it has an additional energy management system, which consists of a separate wall device which plugs into the telephone socket, then ‘two-way’ communicating with your energy company to optimise the periods when it is charging and when it is not.
Finally as the pictures show, the Quantum storage heater is pleasing on the eye – also coming in various sizes to suit the requirements of your living space. It has a smooth curvature and can fit into tight spaces thereby maximising your habitable space.
Dimplex Quantum Storage Heater and the Green Deal
If you have old storage heaters throughout the house and you would like a full replacement, you will quickly notice that a full replacement will set you back thousands of pounds and to most of us that is a big outlay in these hard pressed times.
Is there any financial assistance to help with storage heater replacement?
Most fan-assisted storage heaters are now ‘Green Deal approved’, which means you utilise the Government backed scheme to help pay for some of the upfront cost of the installation – either by taking out Green Deal Finance or utilising cash back schemes when they are on offer. Please check the availability or give us a call to find out more.news
It can store up to 70% of the heat, the other 30% is wasted. You would be better spending the money or grant on better insulation. My landlord wanted to install this type of heating and in order to save less than £7 a year I would need to use 45% of my total annual electricity off peak.
It’s not exactly true to suggest that 30% of heat is wasted. If 70% is the maximum the Quantum will retain if the fan doesn’t run then the 30% will leak into space being heated. To be honest, this isn’t a major problem as it provides background heat – not really wasted.
Hi Rob,
Agreed although if you are out all day and heat is being lost 8 hours before anyone comes home- that heat is being wasted… it is going to be lost long before anyone gets to utilise it.
I agree with this comment. I have been at home on a “out all day” programme and the temp, set at 19 never fell below 18 all day! I don’t want my home heated when I’m not there! The “slim line’ claim is also nonsense as my new heater is bigger than my 20 year old one was!!!xx
What size storage heater do i need for room size 316cm x 700cm and is there financial assistance when replacing old storage heater with quantum storage heater
One word…c-c-c-cold!
what is in the core of these storage heaters as many now boast ceramic or stone