Heating your home during the cold season

How to use electric storage heaters efficiently

Tips for getting the most out of different types of electric storage heaters.

High angle closeup of modern radiator with digital temperature controls

Storage heaters with a digital display

With these storage heaters, please ensure both isolator switches are always turned on. Check that the heater is set to the correct mode for you, either home all day or out all day.

  • Home all day will allow the heater fans to run during your preset period throughout the day.
  • Out all day will run the heater fans first thing in the morning, late afternoon and again through the evening. This is the best option if you are away from your home during the working day.

Make sure your heater is set to the correct temperature for your requirements. Press the dial to check and adjust the temperature. A comfortable range is usually 18°C to 21°C. The heater will release heat when the room temperature drops below your set level.

The temperature control must be set to your required heat in the evenings. If the setting is too low and the room is already warmer than that, the heater may not charge overnight. Try adjusting the settings until you find a balance between comfort and cost.

Storage heaters without a digital display

These storage heaters are controlled by two dials labelled input and output.

The input dial controls the amount of heat you generate and store during off-peak hours. The higher you set it, the more you'll spend on electricity. In mild weather, you can keep your input setting low. When the temperature drops, you'll need to set it higher to generate enough heat to keep your home warm the next day. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and adjust your input dial whenever the temperature rises or falls.

The output dial controls how quickly the heat is released into the room. Adjust this dial throughout the day to suit your routine. If you set the output too high, you might run out of heat before the end of the day. Turn this dial down at night or when you leave your home to reduce unnecessary heat loss. Experiment with these settings to find a balance between comfort and affordability.

Avoid using plug in heaters to keep your home warm. It's cheaper to increase the input on your storage heaters.