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January 1, 2024

Dimplex Quantum heaters

  • January 1, 2024
  • 21 replies
  • 4862 views

Updated on 06/03/25 by Ben_OVO

The Dimplex operating manual can be found here.

I have asked before on this forum and still not had an answer. I have Dimplex Quantum storage heaters which were installed by my local authority after they ripped out gas central heating. Quantum meant to be economical and environmentally beneficial. However, to run just one of them is £25 per week I have 4 in total, but only run one of them. I am over £200 per month. I have two electric panel heaters which are more controllable and cheaper to run. But still over £200 per month for all my electric. I’m on economy 10 which I was told they should run on, but there’s hardly any providers can give this. I’m with OVO, formerly SSE. My next door neighbour still has gas central heating, is on a pre paid meter and is £125 per month for that and electricity. Same size house as mine. She runs her tumble drier umpteen times each week too.

We’ve also got some great Forum topics which you might find useful 👇

 

 

21 replies

BPLightlog
Super User
Super User
April 7, 2025

Hi ​@kerr , if the wiring to your storage heater has been connected to the meter in the correct way, they will be energised at the off peak times (as long as they are switched on locally.

A 5 terminal smart meter has the extra feed to manage the off peak switching.

It is best to keep a check to make sure.

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
Ben_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
April 8, 2025

@kerr thanks for your post, and welcome to the OVO Forum 😁.

 

@BPLightlog thanks for your great advice here, and ​@kerr please do let us know if you have any issues with the new heaters, eg if they don’t come on at the correct times. Hopefully it will all work as it should 🤞. You may also find some helpful information in this previous Forum post:

 

Cheers!

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kerr
Rank 3
Rank 3
April 20, 2025

My heaters are charging and heating ok however I’m on Economy 10 but they seem to be charging st the wrong times. Eg. They are due to charge at 13.30 daily and they don’t start charging until 14.30, like wise should stop at 16.30 but don’t stop until 17.30

Ive phoned IVO and emailed with no response !

Kerr
Nukecad
Super User
Super User
April 20, 2025

Remeber that we are now on BST, so our house clocks are generally an hour in front of the meter switching times.

Meters work on UCT, Universal Time, and don't usually change for summer time.

If you are looking at half hour readings it can cause some fun with working out which day the midnight hour is being attributed to.

However when you have a dual rate smart meter your bills are usually adjusted to account for summer time.

You just need to be aware that the off-peak can be different summer or winter as we all change our clocks.

 

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
kerr
Rank 3
Rank 3
April 20, 2025

I’m in Northern Scotland and was going by the times as shown above on OVO website. I am on Economy 10 but currently appear to be getting the cheaper rate during the periods shown under PAYG on BST. Is this how it should be at the moment ?  I’m totally confused !

 

 

 

Kerr
Firedog
Super User
Super User
April 20, 2025

@kerr  I’m afraid that that article seems to have been compiled before smart meters were invented. You’ll find a more recent list of Economy 10 timings here: Complex Multi-Rate Meter & Heating types | The OVO Forum; Your arrangement is the very last line.

You should find that the actual times when charging starts and stops are in fact a few minutes after the advertised times. It’s a good idea to note just how big the delay is - it will always be the same. Then you can be sure of not switching on something power-hungry before the offpeak tariff rate has taken effect.

 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
kerr
Rank 3
Rank 3
April 21, 2025

Thanks for that, I understand now. From early readings it looks like it’s going to be more expensive than I was on THTC, is this common ?

Kerr
Firedog
Super User
Super User
April 21, 2025

If you’re finding that it’s more expensive now than before, either (a) you’re using electricity which used to be offpeak but isn’t any longer (e.g. running a panel heater at 8 pm), (b) you’re not using electricity when it’s now cheapest to do so, or (c) both of the above. Both peak and offpeak rates are lower for Economy 10 than they are for THTC, so it’s likely that you’re not yet used to not having a 24-hour cheaper heating circuit. 

You must also check carefully that the tariff is changing in the meter when it’s supposed to. We’ve sadly seen several cases where the switched circuit for heating equipment is being energized at the right times but the change from recording on the meter’s peak register to recording on the offpeak one is happening at different times. The two timetables should normally match exactly. If your IHD is working properly, it should show the times when the tariff changes.

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
kerr
Rank 3
Rank 3
April 21, 2025

Thanks for all the help, I’ll carry out some checks and try to maximise useage during the cheaper rate. Thanks again, it’s an age thing ! 🤣

Kerr
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
April 22, 2025

Thanks for that, I understand now. From early readings it looks like it’s going to be more expensive than I was on THTC, is this common ?


Hey @kerr

 

I can see Firedog has given some helpful advice here 😊. Just wanted to add the following you may find useful:


 

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.