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Rank 4
December 15, 2023
Solved

Dimplex Quantum storage heaters- Expensive to run?

  • December 15, 2023
  • 22 replies
  • 14432 views

I have 4 Dimplex Quantum storage heaters in my rented local authority 2 bed end terraced house. Gas was removed in favour of these supposedly greener and more efficient heaters. Truth is they are way too expensive to run. My home is small and thankfully well insulated. However, if I were to run all four, I’d be roughly £600 per month…Yes, Per Month. So, I only have the one in the kitchen on as it’s a tiny kitchen and the heat from that keeps my living room ticking over. I bought two electric panel heaters, one for my living room and one at the bottom of the stairs. The latter heats all the way upstairs. They are far easier to control, whereas the storage heaters are useless. No heater in the bathroom, so I have a low energy electric towel rail which is pennies to run. But, depending on how long I have the panel heaters on, I can easily run to £14 per day. I’ve tried it when we have really cold days. I was told that the storage heaters need to run on economy 10, which they are. But, then I was told they should be on economy 7. Does anyone out there have these heaters? What are the costs for you to run them? They are not like the old style bulky storage heaters of the 70’s they are quite stylish, but so expensive. I’d love to know how they are supposed to be economical. When I had gas it was far far cheaper to heat my home. My neighbour still has gas as they bought their house, exact same as mine, their gas for heating and cooking is £125 per month. Their electric £40 per month. Their are four people there. Here there’s just two of us.

Best answer by TonyC

Updated on 29/08/25 by Ben_OVO

If you’re thinking of getting new electric radiators installed then you may have night-time storage heaters on an economy 7 tariff. If you’re thinking of replacing the storage heaters then it might be a good idea to get some advice on your best options. We don’t give this sort of advice at OVO, however a quick Google search of ‘energy advice in (your local area)’ will bring up any charities or organisations that provide energy advice to your locality. They might be able to advise on good options for a new heating system. You can find more information about economy 7 here:

 

 

Hello

Your situation raises all sorts of complex questions and I remember 40 years ago being in a similar position when I was very hard up, living on my own in an old terraced house which was heated by off peak old fashioned storage heaters. They cost a fortune to store their energy at night and mostly let it out during the day when I was out at work. I think they cost about 50p each night, which was a lot then.

Your post reminded me of a BBC radio 4 program called (the best thing since) Sliced Bread which went into some detail about the best, most efficient form of portable heating, which may help you with some ideas. The link to the program on BBC Sounds is here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001dxtx?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

I'd also purchase a plug in power monitor for about £10 which will tell you exactly what any plug in heater costs to run. No good for your storage heaters as I suspect that they will be hard wired but it will help you monitor your panel heaters or anything else you buy. I find fan heaters best for quick heat as long as they have a thermostat. But I also have a couple of air to air heat pumps which uses 1kw of electricity to give you 5kw of heat will only do one open area and costs about £1500 to £2000 to install.

Good luck, stay warm, if you can.

My solution to staying warm all those years ago was to spend my last £5 on a saw, and pinch some fallen  wood from a local woodland which I burt in an old fireplace.

Tony

 

22 replies

Rank 2
November 6, 2025

I am already on the priority services register and have been for many years.

As I mentioned in my original message, I am effectively still on total heating total control and therefore have 2 metres.

Thanks

Ben_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
November 7, 2025

@Wheels496 in that case we’re currently unable to offer you any other tariffs with your current set up.

 

If the necessary work can be done to get the heating meter removed, and get everything fed through one smart meter, then we’d be able to offer you other plans. Unfortunately this all rests on the work being done, and I understand from what you’ve said that there is a delay with this.

 

Keep us updated as to how you get on with the property inspector.

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