Smart Storage Heaters

What are smart storage heaters?

Smart storage heaters are not dissimilar to a normal electric storage heaters you would find in a typical property. We call them ‘smart’ as they can be integrated with Demand Side Response capability, meaning they can be smartly charged in response to changes in demand on the grid. 

How do they work?

Demand Side Response works with electric storage heaters to watch the electricity grid and find the point when energy is cheapest. This off-peak energy is cheaper because it’s taken when there is less demand on the grid, typically at night time and times of higher renewable generation.

Smart storage heaters are able to charge up during these cheaper periods and then release heat in a controlled way. Overall reducing running costs and maximising comfort for users.

Demand Side Response can also be used to stagger charging across the off peak period, mitigating the impact of all the heaters starting to charge at the same time. For example, if a heater needs to charge for 3 hours and we have 1000 heaters in an area connected, their charge times can be spread across the off peak period to smooth the demand on the grid.

They are better for the environment too!

Electricity available at peak times is much more likely to be produced by power stations that use fossil fuels. Off-peak electricity is more likely to be produced from low carbon, renewable sources – like an offshore windfarms.

As smart storage heaters charge at off-peak times they are more likely to be powered by this low cost, low carbon renewable energy. Keeping you warm and helping the environment!  

There are also tariffs to help save on energy costs!

Introducing the British Gas Dimplex Quantum tariff

Residents with Dimplex Quantum storage heaters can now get access to low cost, low carbon heating.* Customers on the exclusive Economy 7 smart tariff receive a reduced night-time rate of 9.9p per kWh for the whole property from British Gas for agreeing to provide electrical flexibility through their Quantum heaters.

The heaters are programmed so that they always maintain enough charge to meet the needs of those using them, whilst still helping the bill-payer save money through reduced tariff rates.

Read full details – if you or your residents are eligible, on our Dimplex Tariff page.

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply.