Electric Storage Heaters Guide
Electric storage heaters store heat at off-peak times and release it gradually throughout the day. They are an efficient, zero-emissions alternative to central heating.
What are electric storage heaters and how do they work?
Also known as night storage heaters, electric storage heaters warm up your house whilst making the most of off-peak electricity prices. They store thermal energy by heating up internal ceramic or clay bricks at night when electricity tends to be off-peak and cheaper. This heat is then released during the day to keep your house warm.
They spread heat around the room by pulling in cooler air, warming up the air through the heater, then releasing it evenly into the room.
Are storage heaters expensive to run?
Storage heaters are energy efficient as all the electricity they use is converted into heat.
However, electricity tends to cost more than gas, meaning that electric heating can be expensive. Choosing a tariff that charges you less for electricity at off-peak times will be more cost effective.
What is an off-peak electricity tariff, such as Economy 7?
‘Economy 7’ tariffs are where energy suppliers provide cheaper electricity at off-peak times – during the 7 hours of the night when energy is typically lower in demand. Some off-peak tariffs provide cheaper electricity over 10 hours of the night when demand isn’t as high – these tariffs are called Economy 10.
Economy 7 is a ‘time of use’ tariff and requires an Economy 7 meter that can track when you’ve used energy.
Our handy guide explains more about Economy 7 meters.
British Gas Economy 7 tariffs
If you have electric storage heaters, it’s a good idea to be on an Economy 7 tariff as they provide cheaper, off-peak electricity that can be stored and used when you need it.
British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff
Got Dimplex Quantum storage heaters? We have an exclusive Economy 7 tariff only available to Dimplex customers. You’ll get a cheap night rate between 12.30 – 7.30am each day.
This tariff is the first of its kind, all powered by the smart technology in your Dimplex storage heaters.
Read full details - including if you’re eligible, on our Dimplex Tariff page.
How do I set my storage heater controls?
Storage heaters have an on/off switch on the wall that looks a bit like a light switch. This should be left on during cold periods of the year. Older models tend to have controls, whereas newer models are automatic.
Modern storage heaters
- Newer models of storage heaters are automatic. Once you’ve set your desired room temperature via a thermostat, the heater will control the input and output automatically
- Because of new rules set in 2018, modern designs have casings to hold extra heat or fans to distribute the heat around the room. They are more eco-friendly and energy efficient
- Some, more sophisticated, heaters have intelligent charging to store the right amount of heat. They may connect to your WiFi network so you can control them from your home. Some can even respond to changes in the room’s temperature and adjust the heating automatically
Older storage heaters
- Most older storage heaters have two controls. You can usually find these on the top right of the heater. These are sometimes under a flap
- Input – controls the amount of heating stored overnight The ‘input’ button controls how much heat you store overnight. You should adjust the input control according to the weather outside. In Spring, Summer, and Autumn, adjust the input control based on how warm it is outside. If it is very warm and you don’t need any heating, turn off the switch at the wall. In Winter, we recommend setting the input to max, especially in your main living space
- Output – controls how fast the heating is let out The ‘output’ button controls how much of the stored heat is released. If you turn it up, you will let more heat out and the room will get warmer. Make sure to keep the output at minimum when you’re out of the house or overnight. Bring it up again in the daytime and when you’re at home
Tips for using storage heaters
If you’re a first-time storage heater user, here’s some handy tips to help you get to grips with your heating system:
- If you have small children or pets, it’s a good idea to fit a guard for your storage heaters as they can get very hot
- Make sure there are no curtains near your storage heaters
- Never cover the surface of your storage heaters or obstruct the air grills
Looking for more information about our Economy 7 tariffs?
Are storage heaters right for my home?
Typically storage heaters are recommended for customers who don’t have a mains gas supply in their home. However, some people still look to storage heaters to replace their central heating.
Here are a few benefits of having electric storage heaters:
- Storage heaters make the most of off-peak electricity prices, if you’re on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff
- They’re easy to install, compared to other wall heaters and central heating systems
- They don’t require regular maintenance or servicing and often serve a long service life
- It may be impractical to install traditional central heating system, so storage heaters are a great alternative
- Electricity is more environmentally friendly than gas, especially if your tariff is renewable or low carbon
Want to know more?
Off-peak electricity explained
Using off-peak electricity could help discount your bills while making energy more sustainable.
Average energy bill
How does the energy you use compare to the typical UK household?
Economy 7 meters
Discover what an Economy 7 meter is and the pros and cons of using one for your energy needs.