Heating
Older electric storage heaters
We are in the process of renewing all older style storage heaters with a more modern heating source, which could include gas (if there is access to the gas network), air source heat pump (for large 2 bed homes, or homes with 3 or more bedrooms) or modern Dimplex Quantum storage heaters (1 and small 2 bed homes, and larger homes with insufficient insulation levels for heat pumps). Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about your upgrade.
Here’s a guide on how to set the basic controls of electric storage heaters.
Air Source Heat Pump
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) can be very efficient when set up and used properly, but they work very differently to gas or electric heating. They make use of some of the heat already in the air outside, meaning that some of the heat is from a renewable energy source. If you’re not sure how to use the system, please let us know and we can arrange a heating familiarisation visit.
How do I turn my heating off?
You should never turn your heat pump off completely, as the system has been designed to keep a steady temperature in your home. It can take several days to get your home back to a comfortable temperature if you have turned off your heating for a long period of time, and your heat pump would be running at its least efficient too.
Your smart heating controls do include ‘holiday’ or ‘away’ setting which allow the temperature in your home to fall to a pre-set level. We recommend a minimum temperature of 15°C to reduce inefficiencies in getting your home warm again on your return, and to avoid pipes freezing in very cold weather. You can control these settings remotely to return to a comfortable, warm home.
Air Source Heat Pump Guides
- Heat pumps: How to manage your home’s temperature | Good Energy
- How To OPTIMISE Heat Pump Settings!
- How to improve your heat pump’s efficiency - Energy Saving Trust
- Top tips on how best to use an air source heat pump | YES Energy Solutions
Gas Boiler
The majority of our boilers are Vaillant EcoTec combi boilers. A combination or 'combi' boiler is both a high efficiency water heater and a central heating boiler in a single compact unit. Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap, so you won't need a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water storage tank in the roof space. You won’t need to touch the boiler itself, as our gas boiler systems are controlled by central thermostats. Most of these are Neomitis thermostats, and many are programmable, meaning that you can set a daily or weekly pattern and it will run itself. You can always boost it if you feel cold.
We would recommend as a minimum ensuring that there is a set-back temperature. This is the minimum temperature your home will reach before the heating will automatically kick in to stop the home getting too cold. This should be no less than 15°C.
If you’re not sure how to use the system, please let us know and we can arrange a heating familiarisation visit.
Here’s an example of a healthy heating programme, but you should tailor yours to your lifestyle and budget. The Most Economical Way To Use Central Heating | Checkatrade
Solid Fuel
We are in the process of renewing all solid fuel heating systems with a more modern heating source, which could include gas (if there is access to the gas network), air source heat pump (for large 2 bed homes, or homes with 3 or more bedrooms) or modern Dimplex Quantum storage heaters (1 and small 2 bed homes, and larger homes with insufficient insulation levels for heat pumps). Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about your upgrade.
In the mean-time, we arrange for an annual HETAS service of all council-maintained solid fuel appliances, and recommend that tenants arrange at leaast one interim chimney sweep.
We no longer install new systems, nor give consent for tenants to install their own solid fuel appliances, such as wood burners. Where existing systems or chimneys become beyond economic repair, the system will be replaced with an alternative heating source.
Dimplex Quantum Storage Heaters
What are Quantum Storage heaters?
Dimplex Quantum storage heaters work in the same way as standard night storage heaters, by charging up overnight using the cheaper rate of electricity available on Economy 7.
But what makes Quantum heaters different is that they have thermostats and a digital programmer which makes them much more responsive to your needs. For example, you can choose a room temperature and the times of day when you want the heater to come on, and based on your choices the heater will automatically work out how much electricity to store overnight. And an internal thermostat will ensure that when the room reaches the required temperature, the heater turns off and retains the rest of the heat it has stored for later.
Quantum heaters are better insulated than older types of night storage heater, meaning that less heat escapes when it isn’t needed. They also respond to seasonal temperature changes and ‘learn’ how much heat to store.
Thanks to these improvements, the running costs of quantum heaters are around 27% lower than standard night storage heaters.
How to set up quantum storage heaters:
- Dimplex Quantum night storage heaters - Centre for Sustainable Energy
- advice-leaflet-dimplex-quantum-night-storage-heater.pdf
- How to programme the Quantum Storage Heater
- Dimplex Quantum Heater - "Temperature Setting"
How do I reduce the running costs of my Quantum heaters?
With the rising price of energy, how can I make my Quantum heaters run more efficiently?
Quantum storage Heater – Frequently asked questions
Quantum storage heater - Troubleshooting
Quantum storage Heater – Help Guides
To keep costs down, it’s tempting to use the heating less or set it to a lower temperature. And while turning down the thermostat might save on your energy bills, it’s also important to know the ideal temperature for vulnerable people, like newborn babies and those who are older.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius during winter. And The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy and well-dressed people. Both agree this is also the ideal temperature for sleeping.
In practice, you should be heating your home based on the age and health of your household. The WHO suggests 20 degrees as the ideal temperature for the old, young or unwell. For healthy adults, you should heat your home to a room temperature that feels comfortable.
What’s the ideal baby room temperature?
According to lullabytrust.org.uk, it’s vital a newborn’s room is neither too hot or cold. This is because the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is higher for babies feeling too hot. They recommend heating the room of a newborn to 16 to 20 degrees
What temperature is ideal for older people?
For vulnerable people such as the elderly, a change in room temperature can present several health risks. For example:
- A temperature of less than nine degrees has the potential to lead to hypothermia.
- A temperature of nine to twelve degrees or above 24 degrees increases the risk of strokes and heart attack.
The Age UK guide suggests older people heat their main living areas to 21 degrees, while heating the rest of their home to at least 18 degrees.
Should you heat your home when on holiday?
Only leave your heating on during a holiday if there’s a possibility of freezing. Otherwise, you could return home to a flooded house and costly repair.
But there’s no need to leave it on if you have the Hive Thermostat. Its in-built Frost Protection kicks in when the temperature drops below 7°C to switch your boiler on and prevent your pipes from freezing. Most modern boilers also have a similar feature, so they’re protected when it gets really cold. If you don’t, then set your thermostat at least 5°C to get the same sort of protection.
In summer, it makes sense to switch off your heating while you’re away. The only exceptions to this are if you:
- Have pets in the home while you’re away
- Are away for an extended period and want to minimise the risk of mould or mildew building up
Should you heat your home in the summer?
There’s no need to heat your home during daylight hours. But if the temperature drops at night and you feel uncomfortable, you can turn the thermostat up a notch or two.
That said, a better solution might be to improve the insulation of your home. With your home retaining more heat gained during the day, you can rely less on your central heating.
Should you open windows to circulate air?
Opening your windows may be a great way to let fresh air into your home. But if your heating is on, your home will never reach the desired temperature because heat will escape through the window, which is a waste of money. By pairing a Hive Window Sensor with your Hive Thermostat, you can create a smart home that automatically turns the heating off when it detects a window being opened.
During summer you may be tempted to open your windows to cool down your house. Or to improve your sleep at night. But if it’s a particularly hot summer, warm air from outside may make your room more uncomfortable.
(Source – British Gas What is the ideal home temperature - British Gas)
Heating is often the most significant cost after our rents or mortgages are paid and many people struggle with the cost of this. There is lots of free energy advice available, as well as practical support for eligible households.
Under-heating can often lead to damp or mould , please get in touch with us and take a look at our advice pages here.
Does your home suffer with damp and mould?
Please either contact us using our contact us form, call 01884 255 255 or email repairs@middevon.gov.uk (head your email damp and mould).
Let us know about your experience by completing our damp and mould survey.
Before contacting us, please check:
- If you have a gas or electric pre-payment meter, do you have credit?
- Has your heater, boiler or heat pump power switch, isolation switch or gas control valve accidentally been turned to the off position?
- If there a fault code on display?
- Are any of your electric trip switches in the off position, on the consumer unit (switch board).
- Have you tried new batteries in the thermostat?
- Have you tried turning the temperature on the thermostat a little higher? (if the room is already at the correct temperature, there will be no call for heat)