How to run a storage heater on Econ 7 and daytime electric

[Talay]

Part P electrician will be sorting it out but I want to think through the options first and I'd like some help.

I don't really want to only connect it to the 24 hour electric (only 1 meter so night-time would be on Econ 7 anyway) because I'd have to run it through a timer to switch it on for the night (which varies in time) and then have a boost button for X hours in the daytime.

The non electrician in me says that it should be wired so that if power can be drawn from the Econ 7 consumer unit then that is done and if no power is available then it draws power from the regular unit. At whatever time Econ 7 kicks in, it simply switches over from one power source to the the other.

Is there an easy way to stop it taking regular feeds when Econ 7 is available and also not to cause problems with feedback into either line when the other is being used ?

Cheers

 

[OwainDIYer]

The easy way to do it is to do what you don't want to do and run it from the 24h CU through a timer. This is commonly done with immersion heaters and there are timers available for that job.

However there is no point in running a storage heater on peak time electricity. They are designed to store up heat over the charge period and release it slowly.

If you want a daytime heat boost then:

- use a fan storage heater charged offpeak and a thermostat or timeswitch to activate the fan and release stored heat as required
- use a Dimplex Duoheat or similar heater that incorporates a peaktime panel heater for top-up room heating
- use a separate heater for top-up room heating.

 

[acmedone]

Part P electrician will be sorting it out but I want to think through the options first and I'd like some help.

My mother in law uses this
http://www.electricityprices.org.uk/economy-10/

 

[plugwash]

If you really want it to come on when the e7 comes on and be able to be turned on manually I see two options.

1: use a supply changeover switch.
2: use the E7 supply to trigger a contactor, you can then wire said contactor in paralell with a normal switch or timer or whatever.

 

[Talay]

Part P electrician will be sorting it out but I want to think through the options first and I'd like some help.

My mother in law uses this
http://www.electricityprices.org.uk/economy-10/[/QUOTE]

I had never heard of this. Thank you very much.

 

[Talay]

...However there is no point in running a storage heater on peak time electricity. They are designed to store up heat over the charge period and release it slowly. ....

I really only want one heater in the room. I already have the storage heater (was unused elsewhere).

It heats up somewhat in as little as 15 minutes and gets very hot after a little over half an hour. After that it operates as would an oil filled portable radiator. I'd say that even after a short charge it remains warm longer than an oil heater so I think it is a viable alternative, though I admit it is far from perfect.

 

[OwainDIYer]

...However there is no point in running a storage heater on peak time electricity. They are designed to store up heat over the charge period and release it slowly. ....

I really only want one heater in the room. I already have the storage heater (was unused elsewhere).

It heats up somewhat in as little as 15 minutes and gets very hot after a little over half an hour. After that it operates as would an oil filled portable radiator. I'd say that even after a short charge it remains warm longer than an oil heater so I think it is a viable alternative, though I admit it is far from perfect.

In that case use supply from the on-peak board and use an Eco 7 immersion heater timer with a timed boost function (provided the heater is < 3kW)

 

[Talay]

In that case use supply from the on-peak board and use an Eco 7 immersion heater timer with a timed boost function (provided the heater is < 3kW)

Problem is that Econ 7 is not predictable enough with Scottish Power in my region. Every day the time is different, sometimes marginally, sometimes up to an hour different.

Either I accept only say 5 hours off peak or I open myself up to potentially an hour or more at peak rates at the beginning or end of the off peak charging cycle. Hence the desire to have it wired into the Econ 7 consumer unit.

Is using a relay a viable alternative ?

 

[SUNRAY]

Oops. Reply to old thread deleted.
Sorry

 

[ericmark]

@SUNRAY is correct E7 is a tariff, and it can work many ways, so we are guessing.

 

[flameport]

This is an 11 year old thread

 

[ericmark]

Ups sorry I only looked at one date, did not look at when it all started.