Storage Heater Installation

ridgeway · Post by **ridgeway** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:08 am

I live in a fairly large apartment, built in 2003/4, where the heating is provided using just panel heaters....

Lounge/kitchen : 2x1.5KW
Bed 1: 1.5KW
Bed 2: 1.0KW
Hall/Landing: 2x500W
Bathroom/Ensuite: 2x45W towel radiators

Obviously ,as this uses only peak electricity it's very expensive. Oil or gas aren't an option, so I was thinking of installing storage heaters in the hall/landing and lounge/kitchen.

However, the distance between the meter/switch fuse (in a utilities room) and consumer unit (in the apartment) is over 50m and is routed through the main building, so there is no change that I'll get permission to install new meter cables with an off-peak supply.

Is is feasible to have the whole supply changed to E7, and have a timer and contactor in the apartment that ensures that the storage heaters are energised at the appropriate time. I realise that I'll need to keep this in sync with E7 hours manually, but it sounds like this is the only option.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Regards

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:58 pm

that isn't an option, you would melt the existing ring-main.

they have to be on their own individual circuits

ridgeway · Post by **ridgeway** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:37 pm

Sorry, should have included more details.

The panel heaters are already on separate radial circuits. They are currently controlled by contactors via a timeswitch.

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:53 pm

as long as the circuits are in the correct size and fuses correctly rated plus the contactors being able to switch that load, sure

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:58 pm

If the pane heaters are indeed contactor controlled via a time clock then the hard work is done and you just need to fit some night store heater adjust the time setting on the clock and kick back and enjoy the heat.

But you must...

Have a dual rate meter fitted by your supplier,
Make sure you keep within the limitations of the existing circuits and submain bearing in mind that no diversity can be applied to off peak heaters.

You may only get away with small heaters from the supply point of view.

Best get a sparky in to look see.

ridgeway · Post by **ridgeway** » Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:31 pm

Thanks for the info. Now I know it's feasible I'll get a sparky to quote.

BTW - another question. The existing panel heater circuits are protected by 2 MCB's a 16A and 10A plus a 10A RCBO. Any idea why a RCBO has been used for some heaters? The heaters on the RCBO are the main bathroom, Bed 2 and hall.

The remainder (including the ensuite) are on MCB's

Thanks.

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:21 am

tbh i am surprised they used RCBO's and not just an RCD on the CU.

the only other thing that would make me check twice would be the fact you mentioned one was on a 10Amcb, check that cable isn't 1.5mm.

Stoday · Post by **Stoday** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:50 am

Presumably the length of cable from your meter is over 50m. That cable will have been sized to carry your present load.

Storage radiators are only energised for 7 hours, so your storage rads will have to be sized to use up to 3 1/2 times more kW than your current panel heaters. Connecting them may not be possible because the voltage drop on the cable becomes too great, even if the extra load can be accommodated by the current rating.

Your logical first step is to find out how much extra power you can take from your supply from the cable size and length. You will then know the maximum load you can add.

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:17 am

The RCBO is because of the bathroom heater in the en suite just a loo or is a shower or tub in there?

Looking at your other comment about the circuit arrangement you have multiple heaters on single circuits and to be honest this is going to severly limit the size of the heaters able to be fitted without some rewiring.

This is not realy a job for a DIYer

James

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:21 am

agreed + i missed the 50m away

Stods

ridgeway · Post by **ridgeway** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:14 am

Thanks for the help.

With regard to the RCBO question, the bathroom (RCBO) has a heated towel rail and a bath; the ensuite (MCB) has a heated towel rail and a shower.

The board doesn't have an overall RCD - just the RCBO I've mentioned and two more protecting the sockets.

Neil