I have two old storage heaters in my flat and I am concerned that they are using on peak electricity in addition to the off peak supply. Two years ago I received a bill for a three month winter period of over £2000.00. I only had the storage heaters switched on for two months (the power switched were continuously on for the two month period). After the bill was paid I didn't use the storage heaters again and spent the next winter freezing cold as I was worried about the potential cost.
I have a Economy 7 meter supplied by Npower, the meter is working correctly and switches to the off peak tariff at the correct times.
I have decided to use the storage heaters again this year as I am now working from home and need the flat to be heated properly. I only have one power switch for each storage heater. I switched the power switch on this morning for the first time in several months and noticed that the storage heater was very hot this afternoon. This means that the storage heater is charging and is using on peak electricity all the time whilst the mains power switch is on.
In order to benefit from the low rate tariff do I need to manually turn the storage heater power switch on at midnight and off at 7am every day?
I have been doing some online research and have read something about radio teleswitches which are supposed to be fitted with the meter so that storage heater can not charge during the day. Apparently with this device they should come on as soon as the off peak supply kicks in so long as the storage heater power switch is on. I don't know if there is a radio teleswitch next to my meter. There is a small grey box with "MEM" written on the front but I am unsure of what this is for.
I have spoken to Npower who couldn't provide any advice and I just wondered of anyone here could help with this query.
I have a Economy 7 meter supplied by Npower, the meter is working correctly and switches to the off peak tariff at the correct times.
I have decided to use the storage heaters again this year as I am now working from home and need the flat to be heated properly. I only have one power switch for each storage heater. I switched the power switch on this morning for the first time in several months and noticed that the storage heater was very hot this afternoon. This means that the storage heater is charging and is using on peak electricity all the time whilst the mains power switch is on.
In order to benefit from the low rate tariff do I need to manually turn the storage heater power switch on at midnight and off at 7am every day?
I have been doing some online research and have read something about radio teleswitches which are supposed to be fitted with the meter so that storage heater can not charge during the day. Apparently with this device they should come on as soon as the off peak supply kicks in so long as the storage heater power switch is on. I don't know if there is a radio teleswitch next to my meter. There is a small grey box with "MEM" written on the front but I am unsure of what this is for.
I have spoken to Npower who couldn't provide any advice and I just wondered of anyone here could help with this query.