Night Storage Heater Electrics

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Hertfordshire
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We are about to have a full new central heating system installed and have night storage heaters removed, therefore converting from as economy 7 tariff to a standard one. I have a couple of queries and was hoping someone on here could please help.

Is there any way that the sockets which the night storage heaters currently connected to be converted to a standard plug socket that will work during the day and not just at night time?

And would the wires from the night storage heater fuse box need to be re connected to the main fuse box if we did convert the sockets?

Thank you in advance for any advice

I have attached a picture of the electric cupboard (i think :/)
 
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Yes to both questions, but looking at the state and age of your fuse box I'd recommend professional help to get it done. And if you're changing away from an Economy 7 tariff, check with your energy supplier if you can get a cheaper deal on your electricity.

PJ
 
The fuse boxes/consumer units you show are quite old and to comply with BS7671:2008 would require a RCD to be added before any sockets could be added. For the old storage heater box running just sockets this would not really be too much of a problem but it would seem pointless to do half a job and one needs to consider putting it all on RCD protection.

There are many ways to do the job and I would suggest the first move would be to get two electricians to give you a quote and explain what they would do then consider where to go.

Do remember because it involves a consumer unit which needs notifying if changed it will be likely as cheap to get it done for you as to DIY. As a ball park figure add around £250 to price of materials to DIY that should just about cover LABC charges and hire of test equipment. Costs vary area to area but likely not economical DIY.
 
You will be in a contract with your supplier for the tarrif that you are currently on and will need to wait until your contract is up to switch to a single rate. When you switch tarrif's, the meter operator will probably change the meter and remover the contactor (the black box in the middle). This would be an ideal time for the work to be done as it will minamise disruption.
 
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Is there any way that the sockets which the night storage heaters currently connected to be converted to a standard plug socket that will work during the day and not just at night time?
Yes, there are various possible options.
Easiest and cheapest will be to connect the storage heater fusebox to the supply via an RCD, and change the heater switches to socket outlets.
The rest of the cabling/wires shown could easily be tidied up at the same time with minimal effort.

IAnd would the wires from the night storage heater fuse box need to be re connected to the main fuse box if we did convert the sockets? ?
No, and given the age and type of that box (the black one), it's a case of leave it as is, or replace the whole thing.
 

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