heating

[sad old git]

Not sure if this is the right catergory but can't find anything closer so here goes....My house is heated throughout by electric night storage heaters which are still quite efficient but are also quite old.We are thinking of maybe upgrading and were told about a company called Fischer Future Heat UK. I have never heard of this company therefore I would appreciate any information from any of you good people who may have had dealings or some experience with them. Thank you All

[boxtops]

The feedback on their website looks encouraging (but then they would only post the good ones!) http://www.fischer-fu...our-customers-say.php

[HowardKennitby]

I know nothing about them. They have an advert in 'Radio Times'. Product looks good and is shown wall-mounted which surprises me. I thought they would be on the floor due to the weight.

[Coldicote]

I am in much the same situation regarding old night storage heaters. Does your area Trading Standards have a 'Buy With Confidence' scheme or an approved traders list? Might be worth having a look there. I recently had an all over electrical inspection and have no problem with the storage heaters, except that a main switch on the wall stopped working had to be replaced.

[cathfromsaron]

a few years ago, i just paid an electrician to fit new ones for old ... it took a few hours with the white meter and wiring already in place! i paid for the replacement units and labour!

i would get estimates and don't let them baffle you with science!

[Celticv11]

Not the cheapest, but good,

[buildersmate]

Are you crystal clear that if you are swapping one electric night storage system for another, it is IMPOSSIBLE to have any true gain in energy consumption? This is because ALL electric night storage system convert 100% of the electricity going into them into heat. (The issue with electricity is that it costs far more than virtually every other form of energy per unit of heat).
The ONLY cost benefit you might expect is if the outer insulation/flap system is better on new rads, it may be more able to retain the stored heat inside the unit until you want it out - to warm the room. This potential benefit is more likely to be of value if you are out of the house by day and want the majority of heat released in the evening.
That isn't to say it isn't worth replacing old rads - as new ones are smaller and more stylish - just don't be conned that it might save you money on heating. Storage rads are NOT like replacing an old inefficient gas boiler for a new one.

[The Builder]

I'm sure they're fine, gitty.......... but, for an actual net gain in comfort and economy, I would rather spend the money on upgrading insulation levels throughout the whole house.

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your help, you have given me much to think about. To reply to builder and builders mate I have got loft insulation,cavity wall insulation and double glazing so there's not much else I can do.I think that once the weather gets warmer? and the heaters are shut down I might have a look at the workings of the controls ie thermostats/flap controls air in/hot air out blockages etc and see if I really need to change anything. Take care and go carefully.S.O.G

[chrisgolf2]

we have a Servowarm central heating system,which no one will service or repair (18 years old) boiler has a radiator in front and wooden shelf on top of it so looks part of furniture .anyone know of anything similar? our kitchen is so small we have no outside wall .window occupies only external wall.Victorian terrace .house built 1890! any suggestions ?