Night storage heaters
Using your night storage heaters
Storage heating is designed to take advantage of low-cost, off-peak electricity tariffs, enabling you to keep
warm and comfortable at an economical price. This guide will help you make the most of your heating
system, showing you the different types of storage heaters and how to use and control them without
wasting energy.
Storage heaters store up heat, using low-cost, off-peak electricity, which is gradually released to keep your
home warm throughout the day.
Your night storage heater stores thermal energy during the night using the off-peak electricity tariff, Economy
7. This is only available from 12.00 midnight until 7.00 am.
You can control storage heaters individually. This means you can choose different heat settings for different
rooms. Used correctly, they should provide much cheaper room heating than electric fires or convector
heaters.
Storage heaters are cost effective if used properly, but do require a little more attention than other forms of
heating.
In order to use your night storage heater effectively and safely, there are a few important things to
remember...
99 A storage heater does not provide instant heat when it is first switched on after being off for a period – it
needs to store up energy during the night so it will work the following day
99 Once energy has been stored, the surface of the heater can be hot. This is perfectly normal as heaters of
any type do get hot, especially around the air outlet grille
99 Do not cover any surfaces of the heater and do not obstruct the air outlet grilles. This will cause the
temperature to rise sharply and may cause safety cut-outs to operate
99 Do not put clothes, fabrics or any inflammable materials on top of or draped over the heater or allow
curtains to hang over the top and ends of the heater or allow furniture to be pushed up against the
heater
99 Do not allow people with reduced physical, sensory or mental capacities to use the heater unless they
have been given instruction and supervision concerning the use of the appliance by a person responsible
for their safety
99 Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
There are three storage heater models used in Magna homes:
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FX night storage heaters, used mostly in our sheltered and supported homes, have one control,
XL night storage heaters, the most common form of storage heater in our general needs homes, use
two controls, and
CX/CXL night storage heaters, again with two controls, including a separate convector element.
Please remember - if you are unsure as to which heater model is in your home, or you need help with
understanding and setting the controls, we’ll be happy to help.
FX Storage Heater
This night storage convector heater has only one heat control knob which is very
easy to use and will keep your room at a constant temperature. Turn the dial
clockwise if you want the room to be hotter and anti clockwise for a cooler room.
The FX uses the Economy 7 tariff to store heat during the night, if you need an
extra boost during the day, the convector heater will provide this, so a constant
heat is provided.
It’s unlikely that the convector heater will be needed to kick in during the day,
but if it does, the convector will be using the on-peak electricity tariff and will
cost more.
Remember: you can set it
and forget it but switch it off
in the summer.
XL Storage Heater & CX Dual Storage Heater
Both of these night storage heaters have two heat controls. The left hand (output) knob controls the heat
going into the room. The right hand (input) knob controls the heat coming into the heater.
Setting the controls:
The control knobs have been positioned so that they are clearly
visible to an adult, but out of sight of young children. The correct
setting of the controls should ensure your home is kept warm or cool
according to how you want the temperature to be, using the off peak
Economy 7 tariff.
The setting position of the controls will depend on the weather. The secret of using these storage heaters
successfully is to get into the habit of monitoring the weather forecast.
You may find it easier to set the dials by inserting a 2p or 10p in the vertical control slot to help move the
dials around. Don’t use sharp utensils as these could damage the controls and stop the heater working
effectively.
Setting the right hand (input) control dial:
In very cold weather set the right hand (input) knob to maximum (fully
clockwise).
In milder weather set the right hand (input) control to a lower position, so don’t turn it all the way
round.
Setting the left hand (output) control dial:
In the evening... This control may be moved to maximum ONLY if
additional heat is required at that time. Return the control to the minimum
setting before going to bed.
In the morning... If you want to maintain the temperature of the room, then move the left hand
(output) switch slightly clockwise to allow the heat to come out. This opens a damper flap and
allows the room air to circulate through the heater and keep the room warm.
If your house is empty during the day, the left-hand (output) switch should be left at a minimum
temperature all day and then moved towards the maximum temperature required on your return to the
house in order to let more heat escape.
CXL Storage Heater
In addition to the above, the CXL incorporates a convector heater which can be
used to increase heat output during the day if you need this. You will recognise if
your heater is a CXL as there will be a switch on the right hand side of the unit.
If you flick the switch, the convector will switch on. A red or orange light on the
front of the unit will be illuminated to show that the convector heater is working.
Power supply
The storage heater will have two power circuits, one for on-peak and one for off-peak (Economy 7) electricity
and two power switches on the wall next to it (see below).
The off-peak switch is just a switch as it has a dedicated electricity circuit. The on-peak switch has a fuse as it
is part of another electricity circuit.
During the summer months or when heating is not required due to absence from home, switch both switches
to the off position.
During other months when heating is required, the off-peak switch can be left to the on position at all times.
But... Only switch the on-peak switch
to the on position if there is a need
for more heating, as the electricity
the convector uses could be very
expensive if used excessively, so do
not leave the on-peak switch to the
on position unnecessarily.
Don’t be afraid of the on-peak
facility as it will be useful if you
need additional heating in very
cold weather...
Off-peak switch
On-peak switch
But, be aware that using it will cost you more in electricity charges when
you receive your electricity bill, as the electricity supply will be charged at
peak power rates during the day.
Remember, if you switch the on-peak switch to the on position, make sure
you remember to switch it off again once you have warmed your room to
the temperature you require.
Don’t leave the on-peak switch on overnight – you will be wasting
money.
Any queries?
If you have any queries or concerns on using your storage heaters, or you are not sure which heater model is
in your home, contact:
MHA repairs: 0800 358 6025
MWS repairs team: 0800 731 9293
Or speak to your housing officer, or visiting support officer/community warden if you are a sheltered resident.