| The term storage heaters is one that can | | | | Storage heaters are ideal for homes that are |
| sometimes cause some confusion as to what | | | | situated in areas where there is no gas |
| they are and how they work. In this article we'll | | | | connection; without forcing such homeowners |
| look at these questions and we'll also take a look | | | | residents to pay the higher costs associated with |
| at some of the main advantages and | | | | electricity. |
| disadvantages of this invention. | | | | It is substantially cheaper to have heaters installed |
| The basic idea behind storage heaters is that they | | | | than have gas fired boilers, radiators and piping. |
| draw electricity from the grid during the day | | | | Running storage heaters is also much cheaper |
| when the cost of base load electricity is much | | | | than gas central heating systems - which require |
| lower - then use it to generate heat in the | | | | almost no maintenance. In Britain people actually |
| evening. This avoids the cost of evening | | | | pay insurance (up to 200 pounds) to allay any gas |
| electricity, which, because it is in higher demand, | | | | heating costs; no such insurance is necessary for |
| costs significantly more. | | | | storage heaters. |
| Advantages | | | | Disadvantages |
| Under normal circumstances, using electricity for | | | | You have to choose the right size heater for |
| heating is very expensive, but storage heaters | | | | your home. It is basically a compromise between |
| turn this on its head; normally gas or oil fired | | | | the longest expected cold period and the price |
| heating systems are cheaper. | | | | and space needed for the heater to run. Too big |
| Another big plus is that if storage heaters are | | | | and the costs will be higher, with a big impact on |
| incorporated into the overall floor plan of a building | | | | the building's space; to too small the cost of |
| (perhaps as actual dividing walls or even under | | | | daytime electric heating will be very high. |
| floor) they will take up much less space than gas | | | | Another disadvantage is that as the heating is on |
| or oil fired heating systems. | | | | all the time, if the owner has to leave suddenly |
| Some people who have gas heating as well as | | | | for a few days, this can mean all this heating is |
| some other systems are known to turn off their | | | | wasted. There are also some issues with people |
| heating systems during the night in order to save | | | | misunderstanding the heating controls. |
| money. This can result in the house being cold at | | | | Overall this technology allows people to heat their |
| night or early in the morning; however, as these | | | | homes for less - something that is increasingly |
| heaters are on during the night - the abode is | | | | important with energy bills increasing. |
| warmed during those times. | | | | |