High Heat Retention Storage Heaters vs Electric Panel Heaters – Case Study
Why compare Storage Heaters and Panel Heaters
Demand for electricity is lower at night time but it’s not easy to shut down a power station so electricity suppliers offer cheaper rates during ‘off-peak’ hours to encourage their customers to use more electricity during those hours. Off-peak electricity times vary depending on the suppliers tariff and the electric meter type. They are normally a seven hour window between 11pm – 8am, for example 11pm – 6am or 12am to 7am.
Storage heaters use off-peak electricity to charge up and they release their heat during the following day and evening. Panel heaters use electricity when they are switched on and in use. So if you use your heaters during peak time hours, your storage heaters are using the previous nights cheaper off-peak electricity but your panel heaters are using peak time electricity.
Part of the EPC energy rating calculation is based on how expensive it is to heat a property. Using peak time electricity therefore results in a lower energy rating than using off-peak electricity.
To demonstrate the difference in the EPC energy rating achieved using panel heaters vs High Heat Retention Storage Heaters, we completed two test EPC assessments on the same property, a three bedroom, mid terraced, two story Victorian house in Hove East Sussex, with a loft conversion completed circa 1980’s and therefore not insulated. See the floor plan of the property below.
In the first assessment we entered panel heaters for the properties room heating in the software used to calculate EPCs and in the second assessment we entered High Heat Retention Storage Heaters for the properties room heating. All other data about the property that we input into the EPC software remained the same for both assessments.
Criteria input into EPC software
General Property Details
- Main property year of build – Before 1900
- Loft conversion year of build – Unknown*
- Number of stories – 3
- Number of heated habitable rooms – 5**
* Unknown assumes the same build standard as main property
** incl. living rooms & bedrooms, excl. kitchens, bathrooms & hallways
Ground Floor Dimensions
- Area – 48.6m2
- Room height – 2.67m
- Heat Loss Walls total length – 13.64m***
- Party Walls total length – 21.03m****
*** Walls that face the outside world
**** Walls between neighbouring properties
First Floor Dimensions
- Area – 45.4m2
- Room height – 2.63m
- Heat Loss Walls total length – 12.77m***
- Party Walls total length – 19.86m****
Walls
- Construction type – solid brick
- Wall thickness – 300mm
- Insulation – none
Floors
- Construction type – timber floorboards
- Insulation – none
Roof
- Construction type – pitched (tiles/slate, access to eaves)
- Insulation in eaves – 100mm in between joists
- Loft conversion area – 22.7m2
- Insulation in loft conversion – none
Doors & Windows
- Double glazing – 100%
- Draught Proofing – 100%
Lighting
- Light fittings – 18
- No. of low energy bulbs – 18
Water Heating
- Electric immersion tank – with dual immersion heater
- Immersion tank insulation – 50mm foam
Bathroom facilities
- 1 bathroom with bath and mixer shower
Electric meter
- Dual meter
Secondary room heating
- Wood burner (multi fuel)
Main Room Heating & EPC Results
Main room heating
- Assessment 1 – Electric panel heaters
Heating controls – each appliance has a programmer and thermostat
- Assessment 2 – High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
- Digital programmers
- Built In thermostats
- Open window sensors
- Fan assist functions
- Boost function
- Wi-fi controls
Heating controls – each appliance has;
Results
Assessment 1 – with panel heaters
Energy Rating – F31
Assessment 2 – with High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
Energy Rating – D55
- A 24 point lift in the energy rating achieved by using High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
- Reduced heating costs
Floor Plan of property assessed
High Heat Retention Storage Heater Models Recognised in EPC Calculations
Dimplex Quantum, model numbers:
QM050 / QM070 / QM100 / QM125 / QM150 / QM050RF / QM070RF / QM100RF / QM125RF / QM150RF
Creda Quantum, model numbers:
CQH70 / CQH100 / CQH125 / CQH150
GDC Heatstore, model numbers:
HSDQ070 / HSDQ100 / HSDQ125 / HSDQ150
Elnur SA, Ecombi HHR, model numbers:
ECOHHR20 / ECOHHR30 / ECOHHR40
Elnur SolarHHR, model numbers:
SOLARHHR20 / SOLARHHR30 / SOLARHHR40
Stiebel Eltron, model numbers
SHF2000 / SHF3000 / SHS2400 / SHS3000 / SHS3600
Heatstore Quantum, model numbers:
HSDQ70 / HSDQ100 / HSDQ125 / HSDQ150
Dimplex Heatstore Dynamic HHR, model numbers:
HSDHHR050 / HSDHHR070 / HSDHHR100 / HSDHHR125 / HSDHHR150
Electrorad Thermastore, model numbers:
HHR165 / HHR255 / HHR340
Find out more about…
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
What are the ‘Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards’ (MEES) for EPCs and why are they important?
Domestic EPC Exemptions from MEES Minimum Rating
MEES Exemptions allow landlords to let properties that do not achieve the minimum energy rating
What Does An EPC Assessment Involve and how to prepare
Get ready for your assessment, find out what we need to see and do to complete an EPC
What Are The Legal Requirements For EPC’s and do I need one
Understand the current legal requirements for EPCs when renting or selling a property
get in touch
If you need an EPC and/or Floor Plan and you are in or around Brighton & Hove, get in touch today.
- You can Book An EPC and/or Floor Plan Appointment Online
- You can call us on 01273 033 100 or 07749 209 700
- You can email us at info@brightonhoveepc.co.uk