Using storage heaters and immersion heaters

Summary

Your storage heater should be directly connected to your off-peak electricity supply. This means it automatically charges up with heat during off-peak times when the electricity is cheaper on a time-of-use tariff. Modern storage heaters can be set up to automatically decide how much heat to store at off-peak times. They use information about the weather and your usual heating patterns. Modern storage heaters also have controls to automatically turn your heater on or off during the day. * the temperature you want the room to be * the times you want the heater to be on or off Use the dial or buttons to change the thermostat temperature. When the room reaches that temperature, the heater reduces how much heat it gives out. It won’t always be able to reach the temperature you’ve set if there’s not enough heat left. You’ll usually find that a temperature between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable. If you have a health condition that could be made worse by the cold, you shouldn’t set your thermostat lower than 21°C. Your storage heater might have pre-programmed timer settings like: * ‘out all day’ - so it only gives out heat in the morning and evening You can also create your own timer.

Key information

• •the temperature you want the room to be
• •the times you want the heater to be on or off
• •‘out all day’ - so it only gives out heat in the morning and evening
• •‘home all day’ - so it heats all day
• •Dimplex - find Dimplex manuals on their website
• •Creda - find Creda manuals on their website
• •Elnur - find Elnur manuals on their website
• •Sunhouse - find Sunhouse manuals on their website
• •don’t hang clothes or washing on your heater
• •don’t put furniture directly in front of your heater - leave a gap of at least 30cm (or around 12 inches)
• •if there’s a window above your heater, don’t let curtains hang too close to the top of the heater - leave a gap of at least 7.5cm (or around 3 inches)
• •get a more modern storage heater - ‘high heat retention’ storage heaters are the most efficient

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Using storage heaters and immersion heaters](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/save-energy-at-home/using-storage-heaters-efficiently/)

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