Storage heaters - expensive hot air

Storage heaters were great in the 1970s when energy costs were low and one solution to Britain’s heating needs.

Now electricity costs are way higher and many people are finding them unaffordable and uncontrollable.

The most common storage heater tariff across the west of Scotland, from SSE, is Total heating Total Control (THTC). This is generally considered to be one of the more expensive on the market. Other energy suppliers struggle to offer a suitable equivalent tariff and many people feel they have nowhere else to go. More info www.alternativetostorageheaters.co.uk

Modern electric heating, using the properties of radiant heat rather than warm air, with cutting edge temperature and timing controls is the solution, www.economicelectricheating.co.uk.

These can either be German clay core heaters, www. germanelectricheating.com, which are now regularly seen advertised on television and in the papers, or far infrared heaters of various types. www.scottishinfraredheating.co.uk

When changing, disruption is minimal as your new heaters can usually use the existing wiring.

Some small changes are required to the connections in your meter box by your electrician, but it is a straightforward job.

Once you are on a single meter tariff you can then readily shop around for the best price for your electricity and save even more money. We recommend Martin Lewis’ cheap energy club to check out your options. www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

In 2025, the government is banning the use of traditional oil fired or gas boilers in new homes. Instead new houses will be heated predominantly by state-of-the-art electric heating systems. Why not change now?

Elsco Heating has been supplying economic electric heating across Scotland for ten years from bases in Elgin and Glasgow.