I need to update the heating in our large flat. It's electric only -
5 x 15 year old storage heaters with addional converctors , plus fan in the bathroom. There's no real temperature or timeer control. Does anyone know what a reasonably state of the art installation would be? Can I have zones, timers, thermostats like in a water radiator system? Storage heating - unless new versions have some sort of timed output - is not great for us since we are out at work all day. Any advice gratefully recieved.
Yes, you can have an electric boiler feeding rads like any other system
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options would be the same as for any other wet system, but given the high cost of electricity I would look at zoning.
The overall running cost may (depending on the building) not be quite as bad as might be thought, depending on what you would reckon to spend on boiler servicing and repairs.
If you're constrained to using an electric system then you can achieve much more flexible control with a timer and room stat in each room controlling an electric convector or oil filled radiator without the expense and disruption of installing a boiler and all the plumbing.
It's apparently a direct acting system using cheap radiator / convectors for large new built multi-occupied buildings with extremely high standards of insulation such as travel lodges, student halls, nurses homes etc. IMCE these usually have one main room (with 1 radiator + thermostat) plus a bathroom (IME unheated), that cater for one inhabitant at a time per dwelling. To heat 1 room like that for say £1 for 12 hours heating might be acceptable, but we don't all want to live like a rep in a travel lodge arriving at 7-00pm to find your one and only habitable room cold, and leaving at 8-00am with the radiator having clicked off at 7-00am, day in and day out for ever.
A different pattern of occupation to that of a hotel etc (IE empty all day) would result in higher bills, as would an installation in an existing less well insulated building. The OP needs to replace 5 storage radiators, paying less money per KWh would appear to be indicated.
It's advantage is low capital cost, cheap replacements. and certain freedom from leaks, a disadvantage is high running cost. But as I say if it costs a rep a quid to keep his one room warm for the night that's workable. If it were to cost 10 - 12 quid to heat an old multi room flat overnight including weekends it wouldn't be.
You can, using something like the Dimplex control-wire system. This can also allow you to have a lower set-back temperature overnight, frost protection etc depending on which exact accessories you choose.
Possibly best for you is a fan storage heater. These emit a lot less heat by natural convection, and give out heat as required when a fan is turned on. They are larger than ordinary storage heaters though. The fan can be timer controlled. Because of the fan they require both off-peak and peak (for the fan) supplies to the heater.
If you can, improving the insulation would be first priority.
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