1) Storage heaters take in electricity at night when it is cheaper and store the heat to release during the day. 2) It is important to shut the output damper before bed so the heater can charge with stored heat for the next day. 3) Contact details are provided if further information is needed in a different format like large print or audio.

1. If left open the stored heat will be
released through out the night, leaving
you with no stored heat the next day.
Remember to shut the output before you
go to bed. If you would like to have any part of
this explained or translated, or in a
If you would like further information different format such as in larger print,
please contact OCHA or Westlea Housing or on audio tape, please contact us
using the contact details on the back of using the contact details below to
this leaflet. discuss your needs.
Night storage
heaters
244 Barns Road, Oxford OX4 3RW
Freephone 0800 980 9272
tel 01865 773000
info@ocha.org.uk
www.ocha.org.uk
Efficient usage
Methuen Park, Chippenham SN14 0GU
Repairs hotline 01249 466100
tel 01249 465465
enquiries@westlea.co.uk
www.westlea.co.uk
OCHA and Westlea are part of ISSUED: NOVEMBER 2010
GreenSquare Group Limited
www.greensquaregroup.com

2. If you have storage heaters in your home, it Damper closed Damper open How to use the input control
is important to understand how to use them damper flap damper flap
most effectively. This user guide explains If you have manual heaters then the input
how they work and how you can use them control should generally be increased as
to provide more cost effective comfort in the weather gets colder. Start at 2-4 in
your home. As with all heating systems you the autumn and spring and up to
will get the greatest benefit if your home is maximum in the depths of winter.
well insulated. A storage heater takes in
electricity over night – when electricity is For automatic heaters you will only need
cheapest – and stores it as heat which can to adjust the controls to suit the comfort
be released during the following day. The conditions you require. Once you have set
heater case is highly insulated and together it then you can generally leave the heater
with a special damper/flap at the top of the to control the input according to night
heater is designed to release heat evenly time room temperature.
throughout the day.
It is important to remember that using
Most storage heaters have two dials that top up heat from a gas or focal point late
make it easy to control heater output and into the night, could affect the input to
input. The input controls determine how an automatic storage heater.
much heat is stored and the output control
However most people find a setting that
determines how much heat is released. Both
suits their lifestyle and only adjust it two
controls are usually situated on top of the
element core or bricks or three times a year. In general, you
heater under a flap. Automatic heaters
should increase the setting as the weather
sense room temperature in order to decide
gets colder and reduce it as the weather
how much heat to store at night.
gets warmer.
Do not be tempted to turn storage heaters
off or down to a lower setting and use a How to use the output control
fire instead as this will cost you more. They
For maximum energy efficiency and
use day rate electricity whilst the night
comfort the output dial should be turned
storage heaters use the cheaper night rate
up gradually throughout the day only
electricity. The ideal temperatures are 21C in
when heating is required and turned
living rooms and bathrooms and 18C in
down to a minimum or shut at night
kitchens and bedrooms.
before you go to bed, to enable charging.
insulation
Night storage heaters