| Storage heaters are domestic heaters that store | | | | or indeed heat pumps. However, in many people's |
| thermal energy during the evening when the cost | | | | eyes this defeats the purpose of storage heaters |
| of electricity is lower, so the heater can be used | | | | because it usage would occur during the day - |
| during the day or as required when the cost | | | | which would mean the high tariff being in |
| would be higher. It depends on the fact that there | | | | operation, therefore being expensive. |
| are two prices for electricity and that the user is | | | | Advantages |
| subscribed to the correct tariff in order to save | | | | Electrical heating is generally more expensive than |
| money. In Great Britain the tariff known as | | | | gas or oil heating, but these heaters mean that |
| 'Economy 7' would be suitable in order to save | | | | electrical heating can be economical. It is also |
| money. | | | | generally accepted that heaters take up less |
| The construction of these heaters are usually | | | | space than other heating systems. Sometime |
| made of clay bricks or other ceramic materials, | | | | natural gas is not available to a property, and so |
| concrete walls or containers full of water. While in | | | | storage heaters are a viable alternative. |
| the United States and the UK they are known as | | | | Disadvantages |
| 'storage heaters' in Australasia they are | | | | Working out the size of a storage heater involves |
| commonly known as heat banks. It is usual that | | | | a compromise between what is thought to be the |
| storage heaters have two main controls. There is | | | | maximum expected low temperature duration and |
| what is known as a charge control (frequently | | | | intensity, and the overall cost and space need of |
| referred to as the 'input') which controls the | | | | the heating system. If the heater is too large, its |
| amount of heat being stored. The draught control | | | | cost will be too high and it will have an impact on |
| - which is normally referred to as the 'output' - | | | | the building's available space; and if too small, the |
| controls the rate at which heat is released into a | | | | price of what is known as supplemental (during |
| given room or property. | | | | the day) electric heating will simply be too much. |
| While these controls can be used manually by the | | | | If for some reason the owner is out for a day, |
| owner, they may also be set up to run | | | | the stored up heat will still be lost - an unavoidable |
| automatically once the storage heater owner has | | | | loss. |
| selected the target room temperature by using | | | | Overall, the suitability of heaters depends upon |
| the thermostat. Some storage heaters also come | | | | various factors as described - but it is definitely |
| with an electric heater which can be used to | | | | possible that it could save you money if used |
| increase output of heat by using resistance heater | | | | correctly. |