Jeni French, Business Development Manager at Electrorad, discusses high heat retention storage heaters and outlines eight myths every electrician should know about.

Today’s storage heaters are nothing like those of the past. The very mention of storage heaters and most people still picture the bulky, difficult-to-control units installed in homes during the 1970s and 80s. While those systems served their purpose, heating technology has advanced considerably.

Today’s High Heat Retention (HHR) storage heaters are intelligent, energy efficient heating solutions, designed to maximise off peak electricity, improve occupant comfort, help properties meet modern energy efficiency standards and are also Nett Zero ready. Yet despite these advances, many misconceptions remain. Here, we separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: All storage heaters are the same

Traditional storage heaters charged overnight and gradually released heat throughout the day, regardless of whether it was needed – the use it or lose it scenario!

Modern High Heat Retention storage heaters like the Thermastore HHR by Electrorad are engineered very differently. Using high performance insulation, intelligent electronic controls and fan assisted heat delivery, they retain significantly more stored heat and release it only when there is demand.

The result is improved comfort, greater control and lower running costs. High heat retention means storing heat more effectively and releasing it when it’s actually needed is no longer a myth.

Myth 2: Charging overnight wastes energy

Charging overnight is actually one of the biggest advantages of an HHR storage heater, gone are the use it or lose it days.

These appliances are specifically designed to make the most of lower-cost, off-peak electricity available through tariffs such as Economy 7 and smart tariffs like Octopus Cosy. The units have highly insulated cores which store this energy for use throughout the day, significantly reducing unwanted heat loss along with a smart charging algorithm that learns your usage and reacts according as to whether to charge or not.

For homeowners, this means the potential for substantially lower heating costs compared with traditional direct-acting electric heaters.

Myth 3: Any storage heater can be called a high heat retention heater

This is one of the most common misconceptions. While manufacturers may describe products in different ways, to be recognised as a high heat retention storage heater within the SAP methodology and EPC calculations, the product must be listed on the SAP Product Characteristics Database (PCDB).

The PCDB is the Government-recognised database used by SAP assessors to calculate the energy performance of buildings. Products included on the database have undergone rigorous testing to verify their thermal performance and control characteristics.

For installers, specifying a SAP listed HHR storage heater provides confidence that the products performance will be recognised within SAP calculations, making it particularly important for new build developments, retrofit projects and social housing schemes.

Myth 4: Storage heaters offer very little control

That may have been true 30 years ago, but certainly not today. Modern HHR storage heaters feature sophisticated controls, including digital thermostats, programmable weekly timers, adaptive start, open-window detection and, on many models, Wi-Fi connectivity with app control. This allows homeowners to programme heating schedules, adjust temperatures remotely and heat individual rooms only when required, improving both comfort and efficiency.

Myth 5: They release all their heat by lunchtime

Older storage heaters were often criticised for doing exactly that. But modern HHR appliances like the Thermastore HHR use advanced insulation combined with intelligent fan-assisted heat delivery to retain stored energy until it’s needed. Heat is released when required in a controlled manner throughout the day and well into the evening, helping to maintain comfortable room temperatures long after charging has finished. The Thermastore HHR also has a clever Smart Charge option that learns your rooms requirement and utilises the stored heat accordingly.

Myth 6: Electric storage heating isn’t environmentally friendly

Electric heating is becoming greener every year. As the UK electricity grid continues to decarbonise, an increasing proportion of electricity comes from renewable sources. High heat retention storage heaters are designed to charge during off peak periods, which often coincide with lower demand and higher levels of renewable generation.

This not only helps reduce running costs but also supports a more balanced and efficient electricity network.

Myth 7: Storage heaters are outdated technology

Today’s HHR storage heaters are a world away from the products many people remember.

They are designed to meet Lot 20 EcoDesign requirements and incorporate intelligent energy saving features such as electronic room temperature control, adaptive start and open-window detection, smart controls and clever learning algorythms.

Combined with more modern styling and advanced insulation, they provide efficient, controllable heating that’s perfectly suited to today’s homes.

Myth 8: Storage heaters can’t work alongside other heating systems

Modern HHR storage heaters integrate seamlessly with other electric heating technologies, including electric radiators and panel heaters. This flexibility enables installers to design heating systems that suit the individual property, providing the right balance of efficiency, comfort and running costs.

Why SAP listing matters

When specifying a high heat retention storage heater, always check that the product appears on the SAP Product Characteristics Database (PCDB), products like the Thermastore HHR have gone through rigorous testing to achieve inclusion.

Choosing a SAP-listed product helps ensure:

• The heater’s performance is recognised within SAP calculations.
• Greater confidence when specifying products for new-build and refurbishment projects.
• Compliance with recognised industry standards.
• Reassurance for developers, landlords and homeowners that the product has been independently assessed.

It’s a simple check that can make a significant difference when selecting heating systems for energy efficient homes.

The bottom line

High Heat Retention storage heaters have transformed electric heating. For installers, they offer straightforward installation and have recognised performance and compliance with today’s energy standards. For homeowners, they provide improved comfort, intelligent controls and the opportunity to reduce heating costs by making the most of off-peak electricity tariffs.

Products such as the Electrorad Thermastore HHR combine SAP recognition, Lot 20 compliance, intelligent controls and advanced heat retention technology all in one product, delivering a Nett Zero ready, future-ready electric heating solution.

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Where a property already operates on Economy 7 or a similar time-of-use tariff, or in scenarios when switching to one is possible, High Heat Retention (HHR) storage heaters are an ideal primary heating solution.

Well-established

With this well-established technology, the unit charges the heater overnight on cheaper off-peak electricity, then releases that stored heat gradually and controllably throughout the day. For end users, this can represent a noticeable reduction in running costs compared with alternatives.

Storage heaters can also contribute positively to SAP calculations and EPC ratings when the specified products are listed in the SAP Appendix Q database. Models not listed cannot be classed as HHR and will not deliver those compliance benefits.

The Dimplex Quantum is the definitive answer to this requirement, offering the latest generation of smart HHR technology with responsive, on-demand heat output.

Thanks to advances in technology and product development, modern HHR storage heaters bear little resemblance to older generations of the technology. Improved charge and heat release controls, better insulation, and smart connectivity have made them a solid replacement choice for properties upgrading ageing storage or direct-electric systems.

Instant warmth where and when it’s needed with direct-acting heaters

For properties where flexibility and response time are priorities, direct-acting electric heaters are ideal. Two separate product types sit within this category and understanding the difference between them is key to a successful specification.

Panel heaters are best suited to rooms that are used intermittently – such as spare bedrooms, home offices, utility rooms – where occupants need warmth on demand rather than sustained background heat.

The Dimplex Alta Wi-Fi is a great example, as it delivers convected heat almost immediately by circulating warm air around the room quickly and efficiently.

Go electric

By contrast, electric radiators are a great choice for main living spaces and bedrooms, where it’s important to maintain a comfortable temperature for longer periods of time.

Thanks to their higher thermal mass, these units heat up more gradually than panel heaters, and hold/distribute that heat more evenly, producing steadier comfort and more predictable energy use.

In addition, the appearance and performance of electric radiators closely mirror those of traditional wet-system radiators, which helps ease the transition for customers moving away from these types of systems.

The Dimplex Q-Rad and Dimplex AluRad Wi-Fi both sit in this category, combining familiar radiator aesthetics with contemporary controls and connectivity. 

Combination

When used together across a property – for example, a panel heater in a home office and electric radiators in the main rooms – these two product types provide installers with a flexible toolkit for nearly any residential application.

Combining an HHR storage heater in a main living area with electric radiators in bedrooms, is an increasingly common and effective approach, balancing economy with comfort throughout the home.

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