Blog

The humble storage heater, alongside the UK’s overall energy-efficiency, has been the subject of scrutiny for most of 2018. Throughout the year, we’ve seen numerous government initiatives attempt to curb our energy use, improve eco-efficiency, and cement our place in a brighter, greener future. Among Lot 20 and other government-led energy initiatives, what place is there for older heating methods, such as Economy 7 heaters, in the modern home?

You might have noticed over the past few months that the number of manual storage heaters has taken a drastic dip, the supply drying up like a riverbed in the savannah. Just where did the older models go and why the abrupt surge of newer products? It’s all because of new laws handed down by the EU that came into action on the 1^st January this year. These new directives – known as the Ecodesign directives – were designed to bring all domestic electric heating up to a higher standard, and for storage heaters, this meant big changes. No more rudimentary controls and no more being left in the cold if you run out of heat. We’re looking at a new generation of electric storage heaters, ones that are able to offer a level of control to rival other heating systems. They’re electric heaters for the modern age and they’re here to stay.

Last week we had a tantalising glimpse of the upcoming summer with clear skies, temperatures in the mid-twenties, and glorious sunshine all week long. For storage heaters, this sort of weather signals a regime change. Throughout the warmer months, to ensure you’re keeping your house cool and your heating bills low, it’s time to adapt the way you use your storage heaters and start preparing for the summer…

Asbestos: one of the scarier things we learnt about in the 1970s, this naturally occurring substance has been causing trouble for decades. Once heralded as a “magic mineral,” asbestos was used in pretty much everything from car brake pads to prefabricated roofing. Nowadays, we understand the true health implications behind these troublesome fibres. But in the past, manufacturers were guilty of insulating whatever they could with them, including storage heaters. Of course, today’s storage heaters are free from asbestos, as they have been for decades. But how did we end up with such a toxic material in our heating in the first place?

The Economy 7 energy tariff is a product of the 1970s that still holds its popularity today. A favourite among the thrifty and households without access to gas, Economy 7 encourages you to heat your water, run your washing machine, cook, watch TV, use the lights, charge your overnight radiators, and do just about anything that involves electricity, in the dead of night. This nocturnal behaviour is rewarded with a substantially reduced energy tariff, sometimes up to 50% cheaper than a regular daytime rate. With savings so tantalisingly high, we can see why so many turn to economy tariffs and night storage heaters. But despite the potential saving, is Economy 7 a viable option for you? How much money can you save? And is it worth the lifestyle change? In the name of cheap energy, it’s time to find out once and for all.