Storage heaters
Storage heaters are electric heaters designed to work with time of use tariffs, such as Economy 7. These tariffs charge different prices for electricity at different times of the day.
Storage heaters take in and store heat overnight, when electricity is usually cheapest. This is normally over a 7-hour period, although the exact times can vary depending on your supplier.
The stored heat is then released gradually during the day, which depends on your settings.
Your storage heater has two main controls: input and output.
This sets how much heat your heater stores overnight.
- Turn it up when colder weather is expected
- Turn it down when it’s milder
Higher input settings use more electricity and cost more.
This controls how quickly the stored heat is released during the day.
- A higher setting releases heat faster
- Even on the lowest setting, heat will still be released slowly over time
Adjust this depending on how warm you need your home to be throughout the day.
If something's not right and we're responsible, you can raise a repair in your online account, under the 'Manage repairs' section. You'll find a section for MVHR under 'Heating and electrics'.
You can also raise a repair through our chatbot or by giving us a call on 0800 652 0898. If your repair is an emergency, please call our out of hours team on the same number, who will be available day or night.
To help keep your home safe:
- Don’t place furniture directly in front of your heater. Leave a gap of at least 30cm (around 12 inches)
- If there’s a window above the heater, make sure curtains don’t hang too close to the top. Leave a gap of at least 7.5cm (around 3 inches)
- Avoid drying clothes on your storage heater, as this can be a fire risk. Use a radiator airer that keeps clothes away from the heater, or a separate airer placed in a well-ventilated part of the room
If you’ve recently moved into your home or changed your electricity supplier, it’s important to check that you’re on the correct tariff. Your electricity supplier will be able to confirm whether you’re on the right tariff and help you get everything set up correctly.
You can find out who your energy supplier is by visiting Energy Network. They will be able to let you know who the electric suppliers are.
