How Long Do Storage Heaters Last?

Ever wondered how long your electric storage heaters will actually last you? Or wondered how you know that it’s time to replace them?

They’re valid questions, and surprisingly common. But the answers tend to be much more rare, so let’s break it down.

Storage heaters are still common across the UK, despite changes in the energy landscape and advances in heating technologies. They might still seem like a perfect fit for some people, but the truth is that nothing lasts forever.

What’s the Typical Lifespan of a Storage Heater?

Most storage heaters last somewhere between 15 and 30 years, but their efficiency lags behind. Older models, especially those manufactured before the 2000s, tend to:

Lose heat more easily, due to poor insulation.
Lack smart features, some of which are now required by law under Lot 20 regulations.
Be more difficult and more expensive to repair and service.
Contain outdated components, with asbestos being a common issue!

So if your storage heater has been fitted in your home for a while, it may still appear to be working on the surface, but chances are the efficiency is making your energy bills skyrocket, and draining your bank account!

Signs Your Storage Heater Might Be Failing

Uneven heat: Are you warm in the morning and cold in the evening? That could be a sign that your heater is struggling to retain heat throughout the day.
You’re having to use backups: If you keep switching on plug-in heaters in the evening, you’re likely doubling your energy usage. Supplementary units tend to be inefficient too, so they may seem cheap on the supermarket shelves, but the real costs come into play once they’re home and plugged in.
Odd sounds: Buzzing, clicking, or humming can signal internal issues with storage heaters, or old components within it.
Discolouration or damage: Surface cracks, scorch marks and a yellowing casing are all common issues with storage heaters, and they’re all signs that it’s time to upgrade.
Soaring energy bills: If your storage heater isn’t holding heat properly, or doesn’t work efficiently on a modern tariff, it’ll definitely cost you!
Manual controls only: If you’re still using old input/output dials and have no timer for scheduling, you’re missing out on comfort, savings, and control.

If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, your storage heater may be more of a liability than a help, and it may be a hint that it’s time to replace it.

Is It Worth Repairing a Damaged Old Storage Heater?

In most cases, no. Here’s a handful of reasons why:

Replacement parts are getting harder to find for older models, and many have long lead times to be imported.
Repairs rarely improve energy performance.
Labour costs for multiple callouts often exceed the cost of a new system so it may be a better option to refresh the system than keep fixing one that’s slowly failing.
Repairs won’t bring your heater in line with Lot 20 compliance or help with EPC improvements.

Repairs are a potential short-term solution to buy you time with your existing heating solution, storage heaters in this case. But repairing storage heaters won’t provide lasting comfort, efficiency or control.

What Could I Replace Storage Heaters With?

If your storage heater is nearing the end of its life, you don’t need to replace it with another bulky box attached to the wall. You need a smarter, more flexible solution.

That’s exactly where our NEOS electric radiator comes into play. It’s designed and built in Britain, and delivers heat both efficiently and effectively!

Responsive: Heats up quickly, thanks to its Aluminium casing which is 290x more conductive than mild steel (the usual material for electric radiators).
Smart: Three different thermostat options which all offer programming by room and/or time.
Efficient: Electric is 100% efficient, but with modern technology and compatibility with the Octopus Cosy Tariff, it can give you up to 51% cheaper electricity for 8 hours per day. So you can still make use of off-peak electricity, but you don’t have to rely on it.
Sleek design: Slimline wall-mounted design, preventing it from taking away any valuable wall or floor space.
Built to last: The NEOS comes with a 25-year guarantee for a reason; it’s built to last that long, and we trust that it will.

The NEOS electric radiator is an electric radiator model that you can trust, and rely on, for comfort, warmth, control, and confidence, which is something that storage heaters haven’t been able to provide in a long time.

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Don’t Wait Until It Breaks

If your storage heater is over 15 years old, it’s likely costing you more than it’s saving. With rising energy bills and regulations being tightened, now is the time to start exploring new options and taking a closer look.

We can help you compare your current system to our award-winning alternative, made right here in Britain!

Get a free quote here, or get in touch if you’d like some more information or have any questions. We’re always happy to help!