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Original poster

Has anyone got German Radiators?

32 replies

GlitterBicuits · 01/06/2021 14:51

Hi

We live rurally so have limited options for heat.

We currently have bankrupting storage heaters.

I'm considering swapping to 'German Radiators'. Which, as I understand are slightly similar to traditional storage heaters. In that the core remains warm after they have been switched off. They seem to have good reviews and are around the same price as a replacement more efficient storage heater.

Although the electricity price per kilowatt hour to run them in the daytime would be more expensive, potentially they would be on for just a few hours per day. Although I work from home so they will be on here more than if I had a different job.

I'll be glad to hear from anybody who has these. Thanks

OP posts:
Lia884 · 02/10/2024 22:39

Battlerope · 02/10/2024 22:01

The specs probably mean that it releases the 1500 watts of heat gently for one hour but is only actually being heated for 27 minutes at 3300 watts.

Otherwise, the first law of thermodynamics is going to need some revision.

Edited
Show quote history

Why is there so often the hint of argumentativeness to some of these posts. I'm just looking for some friendly advice. If you go to the the spec of any storage heater you'll see the input wattage is over double the output wattage. This is a copy and paste from the Dimplex Quantum storage heater specs: "Heat Output:
1500 Input 3300W" How does that have anything to do with the laws of thermodynamics and energy being created or destroyed?! If you expect a heater to provide 16 hours of output from 7 hours of input if would have to charge at double the wattage... to comply with the laws of thermodynamics! Yet the fact that you can store 16 hours worth of heat from a 7 hour charge does show that the conductive materials in some products do make a difference to the heat provided. As I originally asked, does anyone have experience of comparing magmatic stone heating tablet radiators / German radiators or ceramic core to oil filled radiators? If a stone has been warmed by the sun it'll warm your hand more than a leaf that's been in the sun. Different materials have different conductive and heat retentive qualities.

Battlerope · 02/10/2024 23:43

Lia884 · 02/10/2024 14:19

Sorry I meant over double the wattage. Which it is, a 1500 watt storage heater has in input of 3300 watts and an output of 1500 watts. If your benefitting from just over half price energy rates at nighttime but are having to use over twice the input wattage to get what you need during the day, I'm not sure I see the benefit?

Show quote history

If you heat up your Dimplex Quantum storage heater for 7 hours overnight at 3.3 kW it will store 23.1 kWh at the cheap night rate. It will then release those 23.2 stored kWh for roughly 16 hours.

You are not having to use over twice the input wattage to get what you need during the day. You are putting in the same wattage as you get out, but at half the cost.

Lia884 · 03/10/2024 01:13

Battlerope · 02/10/2024 23:43

If you heat up your Dimplex Quantum storage heater for 7 hours overnight at 3.3 kW it will store 23.1 kWh at the cheap night rate. It will then release those 23.2 stored kWh for roughly 16 hours.

You are not having to use over twice the input wattage to get what you need during the day. You are putting in the same wattage as you get out, but at half the cost.

Edited
Show quote history

Yes, agreed. But storage heaters have to be on all night to provide you with any heat when you need it, and when you only need a little bit of heat on milder days that is going to cost far more than just being able to turn the heating on for a little bit. I also believe that storage heaters will inevitably leak a little bit of energy meaning the stores don't last quite as well as they should. I haven't completely ruled them out but was looking for a comparison of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of other electric radiators as well. I know I keep harping on about this but wouldn't more heat retentive materials helps get more out of the energy provided and provided longer lasting warmth ie less input energy to maintain a temperate?

HellsBalls · 03/10/2024 06:48

Storage heaters do have to be on all night at maximum input to ‘charge up’ to the maximum, however in milder weather, you reduce the input (from 3300 down to 1500), so the heater is only say half charged up at the end of the Economy 7 window. You need to be watching the forecast and make these adjustments yourself, though most likely they can have program settings you just quickly flick between.
The storage heater has flaps which open to release the heat from the bricks. Obviously it will leak some heat anyway, nothing is perfect.
An oil filled radiator gives near instant heat, but has no retention, so will need to consume expensive electricity during the day/evening if you want any heat out of it.

Lia884 · 03/10/2024 13:35

HellsBalls · 03/10/2024 06:48

Storage heaters do have to be on all night at maximum input to ‘charge up’ to the maximum, however in milder weather, you reduce the input (from 3300 down to 1500), so the heater is only say half charged up at the end of the Economy 7 window. You need to be watching the forecast and make these adjustments yourself, though most likely they can have program settings you just quickly flick between.
The storage heater has flaps which open to release the heat from the bricks. Obviously it will leak some heat anyway, nothing is perfect.
An oil filled radiator gives near instant heat, but has no retention, so will need to consume expensive electricity during the day/evening if you want any heat out of it.

Thanks HellsBalls. Do you have new storage heaters?

HellsBalls · 03/10/2024 13:57

Lia884 · 03/10/2024 13:35

Thanks HellsBalls. Do you have new storage heaters?

Show quote history

No! But I do know how to Google!
https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/night-storage-heaters/

How well insulated is your apartment, loft and windows? You might need to have a couple of oil radiators anyway for an instant blast of heat.

Night storage heaters - Centre for Sustainable Energy

Lets review the benefits of using night storage heaters, from how much they cost to how to use. Night storage heaters are the perfect energy saving alternative.

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/night-storage-heaters

PigletJohn · 03/10/2024 22:59

If you have a cheap overnight tariff, a simple panel heater or oil radiator in the bedroom will keep it warm overnight, mostly running on the night tariff. You can add a timer. If you happen to be ill you may need to keep the bedroom extra warm. IMO heaters fixed to the wall are safer than floor-standing ones and take up less room.

Storage heaters usually run out before bedtime. They are particularly popular with retired people who are at home during the day and go to bed early.

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