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M
Rank 2
Michali
Rank 2
February 22, 2023
Solved

Economy 7 storage heaters and low EPC rating- Should we go single rate?

  • February 22, 2023
  • 20 replies
  • 5191 views

Good day, we have three very old (1992) storage heaters in our flat. SSE installed our smart meter last year in April and it provides us with day and night readings on Economy 7. We are now with OVO. We are happy to continue although the cost of running them is very high. However, our EPC rating is F! Other factors contribute to this low rating but we need to change the heaters if we want to sell our flat in the future and increase the EPC rating.  I understand from other posts that OVO cannot change the meter to single rate so it appears we have to find modern storage heaters that still use economy 7 but do not give us such a low EPC rating. Is there no way OVO will change the meter to single rate if we find alternative  heating. I should add we are all electric, no gas supply. Thank you! 

Best answer by M.isterW

Updated on 13/03/25 by Ben_OVO:

 

I would ignore the EPC and focus on comfort and cost for your heating. You want a system that heats the property effectively and isn't too expensive to run.

Storage heaters aren't a bad option for running costs, if you have cheap rate overnight electricity. You can get modern versions but they aren't much better than the old ones. There's not much you can improve on them.

If you want to heat rooms selectively you could use different electric heaters. They will cost more to run for each heater but you'd be heating less of the property.

You could fit a completely new system with pipework and radiators and a Tepeo electric boiler. That uses cheap rate electricity to provide heating and hot water. It would be expensive and disruptive but should work very well. An alternative with radiators is an air source heat pump but you might not have space for the outside unit.

The final option you might consider is an air to air heat pump. This heats using warm air and as it's a heat pump it's far more efficient. You'd need to get an expert to tell you if it would be suitable for your flat.

Energy saving advice can be found on our website, but as an Energy Supplier we don’t deal so much in the household appliance side of things. For any energy saving upgrades in the house we’d recommend speaking to a qualified electrician. It’s also worth doing a quick google search for energy saving advice / companies in your local area. Your local Council may also offer this sort of advice, and might be able to recommend what grants or discounts might be available.

 

 

20 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
February 22, 2023

No worries!

Here’s a report from a property that scored B for comparison, in case it helps.

It’s a one-bed flat in a Supported Living environment, built within the last 20 years.

If you’d like to know anything more about this particular report or how my flat is set up, let me know

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    M
    Rank 2
    MichaliAuthor
    Rank 2
    February 22, 2023

    If you have access to the roof you could install pv ? 

    No, I’m on the ground floor of a 20 flat building 

    M
    Rank 2
    MichaliAuthor
    Rank 2
    February 22, 2023

    @Blastoise186 Id be more than happy with a C! 

    M.isterW
    Rank 6
    M.isterWSolved
    Rank 6
    February 22, 2023

    Updated on 13/03/25 by Ben_OVO:

     

    I would ignore the EPC and focus on comfort and cost for your heating. You want a system that heats the property effectively and isn't too expensive to run.

    Storage heaters aren't a bad option for running costs, if you have cheap rate overnight electricity. You can get modern versions but they aren't much better than the old ones. There's not much you can improve on them.

    If you want to heat rooms selectively you could use different electric heaters. They will cost more to run for each heater but you'd be heating less of the property.

    You could fit a completely new system with pipework and radiators and a Tepeo electric boiler. That uses cheap rate electricity to provide heating and hot water. It would be expensive and disruptive but should work very well. An alternative with radiators is an air source heat pump but you might not have space for the outside unit.

    The final option you might consider is an air to air heat pump. This heats using warm air and as it's a heat pump it's far more efficient. You'd need to get an expert to tell you if it would be suitable for your flat.

    Energy saving advice can be found on our website, but as an Energy Supplier we don’t deal so much in the household appliance side of things. For any energy saving upgrades in the house we’d recommend speaking to a qualified electrician. It’s also worth doing a quick google search for energy saving advice / companies in your local area. Your local Council may also offer this sort of advice, and might be able to recommend what grants or discounts might be available.

     

     

    1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      February 22, 2023

      Hi @Michali

      Good advice from @M.isterW

      1. You can look at the EPC for any property, so perhaps have a look at some of your neighbours to see what they have done and what rating they have. 

      https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

      Then you can see what is realistic and perhaps even approach some of them

      2. I am not sure if you are looking to improve the EPC so it is easier to sell the property or whether as @M.isterW mentions you are looking to improve comfort and running costs for yourself? You will probably do different things depending on your plans

      3. Many of us have to work to a capital budget, even with the knowledge it may save us running costs. Have you thought about a budget? 

       

        M
        Rank 2
        MichaliAuthor
        Rank 2
        February 22, 2023

        Hi @Michali

        Good advice from @M.isterW

        1. You can look at the EPC for any property, so perhaps have a look at some of your neighbours to see what they have done and what rating they have. 

        https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

        Then you can see what is realistic and perhaps even approach some of them

        2. I am not sure if you are looking to improve the EPC so it is easier to sell the property or whether as @M.isterW mentions you are looking to improve comfort and running costs for yourself? You will probably do different things depending on your plans

        3. Many of us have to work to a capital budget, even with the knowledge it may save us running costs. Have you thought about a budget? 

         

        1. I see all my neighbors have a C rating but they all still have gas, boilers and central heating. We made poor choices when we bought the property in 1992. At that time nobody here had central heating and we were advised we would not be allowed to. Some years later all the council tenants were fitted with central heating! As we didn’t live here, we left things as they were. 
        2. Definitely  more concerned for my children selling the property when we are no longer alive! 
        3. I have not put much attention to a budget as yet. I’d hate to spend a bunch of money and still end up with a low rating, giving my children a hard time to sell the property. 
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        February 22, 2023

        TBH people don't look at EPC ratings when buying a property, which isn't a surprise as EPCs are largely pointless.

        1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
          M
          Rank 2
          MichaliAuthor
          Rank 2
          February 22, 2023

          They do seem to be inconsistent! 
           

          I am so grateful to all of you who have responded to my post. I have received so much good advice. A great forum! 

            juliamc
            Rank 20
            juliamc
            Rank 20
            February 22, 2023

            I’d be tempered to consider cavity wall insulation, but not sure how that would be done without neighbouring flats getting it at the same time. 

              M
              Rank 2
              MichaliAuthor
              Rank 2
              February 22, 2023

              I think it’s solid brick and it’s a council building, so don’t think that’s possible. 

              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

              OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd