2006-10-05 01:24:11 · 6 answers · asked by Bernard C 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
They turn on between midnight and 7am when the electricity is cheap (if you are on an economy 7 tarriff) and the heaters heat up fire bricks within the heater (hence the massive weight). these bricks let out the stored heat slowly throughout the day.
All in all, an expensive way to heat a house.
2006-10-05 01:26:52 · answer #1 · answered by PollyPocket 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to have Economy 7 and as far as I know they have a concrete block thing in the middle of them and they store up heat for so many hours of the day and then emit heat for the rest of the time depending on your settings
2006-10-05 08:36:26 · answer #2 · answered by stingray 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See the other answers for technical details. The're mostly correct... I will say... I found E7 heating worked fine for me when I was living alone and my lifestyle dictated that I was in late at night and went out at 9am.... but now my lifestye pattern has changed .. It's a no-no and I have a standard microchip controlled heating system that I programme myself, it works out cheaper.
Investigate the possibilities. E7 is based on cheaper rates at night, make sure your power provider actually charges less per unit at night !! Some do not !
2006-10-05 08:39:30 · answer #3 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They store up enagey during the night when it is cheeper.(you have to be asked to be put on this rate- a bit like choosing your mobile phone tarriff) and then it pumps it out during the day when you want it. If you do switch to it its a good idea to have timers on your washing machine/dishwasher etc to make full use of it . if your appliances don't have them on just use plug in ones and set it before you go to bed so your machine will come on when the timer clicks on!
2006-10-05 08:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are programmed to run and store electricity between the hours of 2300 & 0600.. hence the '7' in the name.. they do their work then because the overnight electricity is a cheaper rate....
(if you have them, get rid of them as its much cheaper in the long run to get british gas central heating and a worcester bosch** combi boiler..)
** ive had my worcester-bosch for 10 years, and no trouble with it at all... touch wood!!
2006-10-05 08:35:38 · answer #5 · answered by paulrb8 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are usually on at night and if you put them on through we found them expensive
2006-10-05 08:33:00 · answer #6 · answered by Freakyfran 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋