Storage heaters

Using storage heaters efficiently is important because electricity is more expensive (per unit) than gas or oil.  

This guide tells you all you need to know about storage heaters. We’ll help you get the most out of them, for less.

How do storage heaters work? 

Storage heaters charge up with heat overnight. They release the heat they’ve stored up over the next day. The heat is stored in ceramic blocks, called bricks. You have control over: 

• how much heat is stored 
• how quickly this heat is released  

Storage heaters usually run on a different electricity tariff to other heating systems. With these tariffs, electricity is cheaper during the night, and more expensive during the day. The storage heater charges up with heat during the night, when the cost of electricity is cheaper. 

An example of this type of tariff would be the Economy 7. This means that electricity is cheaper (and more economical) for seven hours during the night. The exact hours vary from supplier to supplier.

Old storage heaters 

The first storage heaters were installed in the 1960s. There are still lots of old storage heaters out there. These types usually have two dials: an input and an output.   

How to use old storage heaters

The input dial controls how much heat is stored overnight. You would set this before going to bed, based on how much heat you think you will need the next day.  

• If it’s forecast to be a cold day, then try setting it on medium to high (between 3 and 5).  
• If it’s forecast to be a mild day, then try setting it on low to medium (between 1 and 3). 

Remember, although electricity is cheaper during the night, it still costs money. Therefore, to keep costs down, only store as much heat as you think you’ll need.

The output dial controls how quickly heat is released during the day. Depending on your routine, you’ll probably need most heat in the evening. This means you need to be careful you don’t run out of heat by setting the output too high during the day.  

Try keeping the output on a low setting through the day, then turn the output up during the evening if you get cold. 

Remember to turn the output down again before going to bed.  

Your storage heater may also have a ‘boost’ function. You can use this if you have run out of stored heat. However, the boost function uses electricity priced at the day-time rate, not the cheaper overnight rate. For this reason, you should try to use it sparingly, if at all.

Modern electric storage heaters

Newer models of storage heaters work in the same way as the older kind. The difference is they are more efficient and give you more control when heating your home.  

Modern storage heaters take a lot of the guesswork out of staying warm. For example, they allow you to set the temperature you want in degrees, rather than having to use the less accurate scale of 1-5. 

Like central heating programmers, modern electric storage heaters let you make a heating schedule. You can decide what times of day you want the heater to be on, and how warm you want it to be.  

The heater will store heat during the night based on the heating schedule you’ve programmed for the next day. This means that, unlike with older storage heaters, you don’t need to set the input yourself. Your storage heater works it out for you.  

How do I programme my storage heater? 

The exact way to programme your storage heater will vary depending on which model you have. Some manufacturers and householders upload video tutorials on YouTube. There may also be instructions on the manufacturer’s website. 

Whatever model of storage heater you have, try to match your heating to your daily routine. For example: 

• If you get up at 07:00 (7am), then you might want your bedroom to be a bit warmer at that time. In that case, try setting the storage heater in your bedroom to 20 degrees from 06:30-07:00 (6.30am-7am).  
• If you’re not going to be in the bedroom again until 22:30 (10.30pm), then you can set a lower temperature throughout the day.  
• You may want to warm the bedroom up again slightly before going to bed, so you could set a temperature of 20 degrees for 22:00-22:30 (10pm-10.30pm). 

How to use storage heaters cheaply 

You can keep the costs down by using your storage heaters efficiently.  

If you have old storage heaters, then:

• Check the weather forecast to help you decide how much heat you’ll need tomorrow 
• Don’t store more heat overnight than you need for the next day 
• Keep the output off or on low when you don’t need the heat 
• Only use the boost function if you really need it 

If you have new storage heaters, then: 

• Set your heating to match your routine 
• Only use the boost function if you really need it 

Best replacement for night storage heaters 

The best replacement for night storage heaters will depend on:  

• How well insulated your home is 
• What energy tariffs are available to you  

If your home is well insulated, then a green alternative to storage heaters would be an air source heat pump.  

Replacing old storage heaters with an air source heat pump can save around £1,500 a year.  

Replacing new storage heaters with an air source heat pump can save around £870. 

Grant funding for storage heaters 

Grant funding for storage heaters is available through Home Energy Scotland. Eligible homeowners can get a grant of £2,500 for high retention storage heaters. An extra £3,000 is also available as an interest free loan.  

To find out more about grant funding for storage heaters, you can contact an energy advisor on 0808 808 2282 or email online at homeenergyscotland.org/contact.