how effective will a storage heater be if you dig in a wall and place it there?

Question

my interior designer has suggested to dig my sitting room wall which is thick and place it there instead of having it sticking out. i am wondering if that will affect its effectiveness

Answer 1

I assume by 'DIG' you mean RECESS?? I would think that as long as there is sufficient space for airflow all around of at least 150 mm to the full depth of the casing there will be no problems, but suggest that you check with the manufacturers first. You will not be 'Covering' it, that refers to draping washing over the outlet grilles. All storage heater manufacturers can supply shelves which wall mount above the heaters and in fact improve the airflow.

ADDED>> Peirce.. That's rubbish! Storage heaters were NEVER designed to sit under desks, or ONLY for small offices. Modern ones MUST be fixed to wall, or they will fall forward.

Answer 2

Yet again I agree with jayktee9 it's ok as long as you leave at least 6" air gap around the heater,and the heat will still radiate out with no loss

Frosti I don't know much experience you've had with storage heaters,but they DO NOT need refilling, maybe when thay get old you might have to change the elements,TOC or sat. Is that correct jayktee9 ?

Sparky 33 years

Answer 3

All the storage heaters I have seen have a sign on the top which says 'Do not cover'. I would be concerned, therefore, if someone covered it with a wall! Besides, heat rises, doesn't it - so where would the heat go but into the wall? I'll be reading the other replies with interest.

Answer 4

If you are talking about a WALL Heater you need to check the model you have. Many wall models must be hung exactly as your is. They make units that also fit in between the studs. Most wall heaters cannot do both.
Installing a wall heater between the wall studs CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

Answer 5

Hello i am pierce from Pierce & Banderiezz interior design.
the amount of people that want heaters sunken in to walls is unreall i have tried for many ways and have still not found them usefull enough to design
all you will accomplish in doing is having very warm walls which dry your walls out and make your paint etc crack and flake it may alos void your insurance So my advice is not to place a storage heater in a wall storage heaters were designed originally for the small office small compact to be able to sit under a desk etc.

pierce

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Answer 6

well it will be quite effective when your house burns down. Unless the manufacturer specfies that heater for that type of installation it is a serious hazard.

Your designer is trying to make things look nice. That is her job. However designers and architects sometimes do not fully think through the construction needs and requirements of their designs. Therefore you always should consult a contractor before doing things that cause you any concern.

Answer 7

Yes it will affect it. a Storage heater gives warmth by radiation and convection. if you put it into a wall, you will lose the heat from convection and end up with only half the heat from the storage heater.

Answer 8

Placing it in the wall would actually improve the effectiveness, But may increase the chance of fire, call your home insurance.

Answer 9

Hi!

I can see the aesthetic properties of doing that.

However, I think by doing that, all you will have is nice warm walls!!

Best of luck!

Answer 10

Be careful as I think they need ventilation to save toxic fumes and them catching fire. Also don't fix it otherwise you will have trouble when it needs to be refilled.