Replacing an old storage heater requires a choice between heat storage and direct radiant heat. An inertia radiator can be controlled per unit; infrared panels emit heat directly to people and surfaces…

Replacing an old storage heater requires a choice between heat storage and direct radiant heat. An inertia radiator can be controlled per unit; infrared panels emit heat directly to people and surfaces. Which solution fits depends on how you use the space and how much heat it requires.

Lower energy costs or a better EPC score do not automatically result from a new heating appliance. Consumption depends, among other things, on your heating demand and how you use the heat. The EPC score assesses the energy performance of the home as a whole. Therefore, do not look solely at the appliance.

In this article, you will read how an inertia radiator works, what a replacement can mean for your electricity consumption and EPC score, and what to look out for during installation and maintenance. This provides a clear starting point for tailoring your heating to your home, comfort, and energy consumption.

How does a modern inertia radiator work as a replacement for a storage heater?

A modern inertia radiator stores heat and releases it later. Elkatherm inertia radiators are an example of this type of heating. You can control each unit individually, which is convenient when you use the living room more often than, for example, a guest room.

Infrared heating works differently: panels emit long-wave radiant heat directly to people and surfaces. This can be suitable for a targeted heating spot, such as a desk or seating area. An air-to-air heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and distributes it indoors. Which option suits you depends on your home and how you heat the rooms.

Which subsidies or schemes apply in the Netherlands for replacing a storage heater? Simply replacing a heating appliance does not automatically entitle you to a fixed subsidy. Possible schemes depend on the chosen measure and the conditions applicable at that time.

Compare not only the devices, but also how they work. Heat storage, targeted radiant heat, and a heat pump each suit a different usage pattern. This way, you choose a solution that aligns with your home and daily comfort.

According to the text, an air-to-air heat pump is the best alternative to storage heating. The difference becomes clear when you look at when the heat is available. Storage heating stores electricity as heat at night and releases it during the day. The stored heat must therefore match the usage of the home. A storage heater cannot store enough heat to heat a home all day long. Residents may then need to supplement the heating with electric convection heating. You notice this limitation especially when heat is still needed, but the stored supply falls short. Therefore, when choosing a replacement, look not only at how a device emits heat, but also at when that heat is available.

According to the page, a heat pump can be up to four times more efficient than a storage heater. The calculation mentioned makes this concrete: with an annual heating consumption of 13,000 kWh, an air-to-air heat pump with a COP of 4 requires 3,250 kWh of electricity according to the calculation. This difference in required electricity consumption helps to compare the operation of both systems, although the appropriate choice remains dependent on the home and heating usage. Furthermore, the work involved in replacement does not necessarily have to be extensive: when replacing storage heating with an air-to-air heat pump, the installation can often be done without much demolition or breaking. This can be relevant when considering the switch and taking home modifications into account. This allows you to compare the existing situation with a system that delivers heat differently, and assess whether it aligns with the times you use the rooms.

Impact on electricity consumption and the EPC score

The appliance affects power consumption, but the home and your heating usage also play a role.

If you live in a rental house or apartment, discuss the planned modification with your landlord or the Owners' Association in advance. This is especially important if common areas or the electrical installation are being modified. Whether a permit is required depends on the work and local regulations.

Electricity consumption and operating costs

Storage heating consumes an average of 12,500 to 19,500 kWh per year. Your consumption varies depending on your heat demand and usage time. An electric radiator and infrared heating also use electricity; targeted heating can help avoid heating unused zones.

Impact on the EPC score

The EPC score assesses the energy performance of a home, not just the heating appliance. Insulation, heat loss, and the heating system also play a role. Therefore, a new appliance does not automatically improve the score. In the Netherlands, the term "energy label" is generally used; check which document applies to your home.

Power of the replacement heater

The required power depends on the room, the insulation, and the heating demand. Also have the electrical connection assessed. This will prevent you from choosing an appliance that does not suit the space or the existing installation.

Reasons to replace a storage heater

Your living rhythm may change while the heating continues to perform the same functions. Perhaps you work from home more often and use a room for longer periods. Or a room that used to be heated daily is now primarily a guest room. The heat output may then no longer align with when you need comfort.

Pay attention to what you notice on a daily basis. Does a room regularly get too warm, remain cool at other times, or do you heat rooms you hardly use? This may indicate that the current solution does not fit your habits well. Note where and when this happens. This will help you better see which rooms need heat and at what times.

A renovation or a new layout can also be a reason to make a fresh choice. An appliance that was initially conveniently located may become an obstacle after moving furniture. Replacement then offers the opportunity to tailor the heating to the space, usage, and desired comfort, rather than automatically installing the same type again.

The age of the appliance may be a reason to reconsider your choice. Many storage heaters in homes are decades old. This does not automatically mean that every appliance needs to be replaced, but it is sensible to check whether the heating system still suits the home and the intended use. Do not just look at when you need heat, but also at how much heat the appliance stores. A storage heater can store too much heat, resulting in wasted energy. If you notice that the heat output does not match your needs, take this into account in your decision-making. Determine whether it is primarily about the timing, the amount of heat, or the location of the appliance. This makes the reason for a potential replacement more concrete, without immediately assuming the same solution as before.

The space the appliance occupies can also weigh heavily during a redesign. According to the page, an old storage heater often takes up half a wall. Ask yourself if that spot still suits how you use the room and the decor you have in mind. A large appliance can be a defining feature of the space. If that is no longer desirable, replacement offers the opportunity to incorporate the heating back into your plans. Determine what you want to improve: heat that better suits your needs, less waste due to unnecessary storage, or a layout where the appliance is less in the way. These wishes can coexist, but they are not all equally important. Identify them separately to assess more specifically whether the storage heater still meets your needs. Base your choice on what no longer works in your home, not just on the age or size of the appliance.

Installation and maintenance

A smooth installation starts with the room and usage. Note which room you heat and when you need heat. A bedroom used at night requires a different setting than a living room during the day. This allows the placement to be tailored to comfort, temperature, and power.

According to the described guideline, no pipework or demolition is required when replacing with an inertia radiator. As a result, an existing wall usually remains intact. The radiator is connected at the chosen location and controlled individually. The electrical connection must be compatible with the appliance and the home. Therefore, have this included in the installation assessment.

The position partly determines how pleasant the heat feels. For example, a radiator behind a large sofa heats the spot where you sit less effectively. Keep the space around the unit clear so that heat can spread. Also consider furniture, curtains, and walkways. This will prevent the new heater from ending up in an inconvenient location.

With infrared heating, the line of sight and usage zone are important considerations. A panel above a desk can direct heat towards the workspace. In a bathroom, placement requires extra attention to the space and the electrical installation. Infrared panels are suitable for wet rooms when installed according to guidelines. Have the desired zone, power output, and connection assessed together. This ensures the solution fits the room, not just the location of the old heater.

An old storage heater contains stones that store heat. Allow the appliance to cool down and do not open it yourself to remove parts. Old appliances can be heavy, so plan transport and disposal carefully. If you suspect the presence of asbestos, do not disturb or remove the material yourself. Have it assessed first and follow applicable local guidelines for disposal.

Maintenance begins with a simple check of the appliance and its surroundings. Keep air vents clear and remove dust from the outside with a dry cloth when the appliance is switched off and has cooled down. Do not use water on electrical components. Also check if the thermostat still responds correctly when you adjust the temperature.

A difference between the set temperature and the comfort level in the room may indicate incorrect control or placement. Note, for example, when the room remains cold or when the device emits heat while no one is using the room. Such observations help you adjust settings in a targeted manner. Do not change multiple settings at once, otherwise it will be harder to see which adjustment has an effect.

With an installation featuring multiple heating zones, you can assess each room separately. For example, set the study to heat only when you are using it, while the living area follows a different schedule. After installation, verify that each control activates the correct radiator or zone. A clear layout prevents you from requesting heat at the wrong time or in the wrong room.

How do you determine the required power of a replacement storage heater?

The correct capacity depends on how much heat a room loses. Therefore, the surface area does not provide the complete picture. Also consider insulation, windows, ceiling height, and usage. A bedroom that you heat briefly requires something different than a living space where you spend a lot of time every day. This way, you prevent a device from providing too little heat or being chosen with an unnecessarily high capacity.

Start by examining the room individually. Note the length, width, and ceiling height. For example, a 4 by 5 meter room has 20 square meters of floor space. Large windows, drafty exterior doors, and an unheated adjacent room can influence the heat requirement. This way, you do not compare spaces solely based on their floor area.

Insulation also plays a role. A well-insulated home generally loses less heat than a moderately insulated home. Therefore, power guidelines vary depending on the situation. For example, a room with a lot of glass can lose more heat than a room of the same size with smaller windows. The location and adjacent rooms also play a part.

Usage partly determines how you assess the capacity. A storage heater charges overnight, so estimate in advance how much heat you will need the next day. Consider a home office that is occupied during the day and a guest room that is rarely used. The capacity must match that usage, not just the old heater.

The type of appliance provides additional context. Dynamic storage heaters typically have a power output of approximately 1,200 to 7,500 watts. Static models are usually between 1,700 and 3,000 watts. These ranges vary, but they are not a ready-made guide for selecting the right heater for your home. Insulation and heating requirements remain the determining factors. Therefore, do not automatically transfer the capacity of the old model.

With infrared heating, you also consider the zone that needs to be heated. A panel above a fixed workspace serves a different purpose than heating an entire living room. Think about where you sit and any obstacles between the panel and the usage zone. This way, you tailor the placement to the comfort you are looking for.

A proper assessment of the required capacity takes into account the living situation and the heat demand per room. It is important that the capacity is sufficient without making the installation unnecessarily large. Gather the room dimensions, information about the insulation, and examples of your daily usage in advance. This data provides a more concrete picture than a choice based solely on the old appliance.

Warmteshop Infrared heating: Infrared heating

With infrared heating from Warmteshop Infrared Heating, you can explore an alternative when you want to use heat in a targeted way. Infrared panels emit long-wave radiant heat directly to people and surfaces. This can be pleasant in a place where you often sit, such as a desk or seating area. This way, you tailor the heating to the room and your daily rhythm.

Depending on your home and preference, you can consider infrared heating from Warmteshop Infrared Heating, infrared heating with LED, or electric underfloor heating. A panel may be suitable if you are looking for localized heat; underfloor heating offers another way to heat a room. Start your choice with the rooms you use and the comfort you seek.

Would you like to explore the possibilities for your home? Contact Warmteshop Infrared Heating for advice.

Turn your heating choice into a comfort plan

Before having a storage heater replaced, consider how you want to use the space. Do you want heat at fixed times, a pleasant place to work from home, or more freedom in furnishing? Take your daily habits into account so that you choose heating that suits your home.

Warmteshop offers, among other things, infrared heating, infrared LED heating, and electric underfloor heating. Which solution suits you depends on the rooms you heat and the comfort you seek. This way, the heating can match your interior and daily routine.

Would you like to explore the possibilities for your home? Contact Warmteshop Infrared Heating for advice.

Frequently asked questions about storage heaters

Does storage heating still have a future?

Accumulation heating might still be suitable for a well-insulated room that is heated for a long time. The practical question is primarily whether heat storage aligns with your daily routine. If you use a room only occasionally, stored heat may remain unused. Therefore, compare the usage of each room with the heating system, rather than just looking at the age of the unit.

Why is it time to replace them?

Replacement is worth considering when the system no longer suits your living situation. Think of a room that often remains too warm, an appliance that is difficult to operate, or a large heater that restricts your new layout. Note where and when comfort falls short. These concrete examples will help determine whether you want to keep the same type of heating or seek a different approach.

How much does it cost to replace a storage heater in the Netherlands?

The total costs depend on the chosen system, the required capacity, and the work required in your home. Include the new appliance, any adjustments to the electrical connection, and the removal of the old heater in your comparison. The number of heated rooms and the desired control system also play a role. Ask for a breakdown so that you compare quotes for the same work.

Is replacing a storage heater with an electric radiator or heat pump cheaper?

That depends on the purchase and installation as well as the subsequent electricity consumption. An electric radiator converts electricity directly into heat. A heat pump also extracts heat from the outside air and can therefore use less electricity for the same heating demand. The final comparison depends on the home, usage, and energy contract. Therefore, look at the total costs over the usage period, not just the purchase price.

Which electrical connection and circuit are required for a new storage heater?

That depends on the power rating of the chosen appliance and the existing electrical installation. Have the available connection assessed, as well as which other appliances are on the same circuit and whether the installation can handle the required load. A photo of the meter cupboard and the appliance type can make that discussion more concrete. Do not choose a circuit based solely on the old heater: the new system may have different requirements.

Can an old storage heater be replaced by a modern low-temperature model?

Not without first examining the differences between the systems. A storage heater heats electrically; a low-temperature radiator is typically part of a system that circulates hot water through radiators. Therefore, they are not inherently interchangeable devices. If you are considering this option, look at the heat source in your home, the existing pipes, and how you intend to heat the space.

What steps and work are involved in replacing a storage heater?

A replacement begins with determining the heat requirement per room. Next, the heating solution, placement, and electrical connection are tailored to the home. Subsequently, the old unit is removed, and the new system is installed and tested. Also discuss in advance how you will regulate the temperature and which rooms require specific settings. This way, you know what work is required and how to operate the system daily.

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replacing storage heater electric heating energy saving EPC score inertia radiator infrared panels heating renovation

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