Heating...

[stressed out]

I recently moved home and in my previous home i had Central Heating which i have always been used to. My new place has Ceiling Heating. I had no idea what this was before. Anyway, it has'nt worked for a month or so and now the chillier weather is approaching and i have a toddler and expecting a baby in January. The Electrician turned up today to have a look at it. He said that the Ceiling Heating was very expensive to run and i would be better off using the Storage Heater that's in my front room and a couple of upright heaters in the bedrooms.

I have seen a couple in Argos but to be honest i don't really know what i'm looking for in terms of money saving, energy saving etc. I want heaters that have more than one setting so i can adjust according to how cold the home is etc and preferably a timer so they can come on at intervals like when were sleeping.

I know they vary in price but i can't afford alot so wondered if there was one under 30 pounds that does these things as i will need to purchase 2/3.

Thanks

[buildersmate]

Storage heaters are fed from a separate electricity supply that goes to a cheap(er) off-peak electricity meter adjacent to your existing meter. They have to be wired up by an electrician.
I'm afraid they cost rather more than �30 each to buy, plus installation cost, and you can't get them from Argos (I checked). The things you've seen are normal (not off-peak) electricity heaters that plug straight into your 13A socket in the wall.
He's right about ceiling heaters. They also work using normal time electricity and the heat is in the ceiling where you don't want it (hot air rises to the bedroom above - not so much of it comes downwards).

[BBWCHATT]

I have only had the ceiling heat in one place that I lived - if it is the kind that is invisible in the ceiling - not the kind that has ceiling vents. I had the invisible in the ceiling kind and I found that once it had been on long enough for everything to get warmed up properly it was the very best heat I had ever had - and I am VERY cold natured!!! I just left the thermostat turned to a temperature that was comfortable for me 24/7 and never had a problem. I didn't find it to be more expensive than regular central heat and air like I have always had every other place I have lived. Wish I had it now!!!

[stressed out]

Thanks guys. Buildersmate, the heaters i have seen in Argos are just like upright converter heaters. Almost got one today but theyre out of stock. There is a Storage Heater already fitted in my front room on the wall, it was here when i moved in. I do have one major problem though, i have no instructions for it and i have tuned the dials like the Electrician said but nothing happens.

[BBWCHATT]

Stressed - if it is like the kind I had - you won't have a clue that it is working - not a click or a sound at all - you just set the thermostat to the temperature you want and forget it - after a few hours when it gets the house and furnishings warmed up, you will notice how comfortable you are - that will be your only clue :)