Why Economy 7 still makes sense in the Highlands
A lot of the Highland grid is single-phase, low-capacity, with no easy access to gas. That leaves electricity for heating — and Economy 7 (or Economy 10) is much cheaper for the overnight units than the daytime rate. The savings only work if you have a properly designed storage system, though. A single fan-heater running at peak-rate for 5 hours a night will cost you a fortune.
Modern Dimplex Quantum units store overnight and blow warm air on demand during the day, controlled by a room thermostat. They're a huge step up from the old dial-only bricks people still remember from the 1980s.
The 'off-peak isn't running' problem
By far the most common storage heater fault we're called out for: the heater is stone-cold in the morning. In 90% of cases it's not the heater — it's the off-peak circuit not being switched on by the meter at the right time. Usually because:
- The meter has been changed by the supplier and the off-peak contactor was never re-wired.
- The time-clock in the airing cupboard has died or drifted.
- The house has been switched from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff without the customer realising.
We check all three when we come out. Sometimes it's a £40 fix, not a new heater.
Should you replace with air-source heat pumps instead?
Honestly — depends on the house. A well-insulated modern house on the Black Isle: yes, ASHP will be cheaper long-term. An off-grid stone cottage in Assynt with single-glazing and no wall insulation: probably not — a heat pump won't cope, and you'll get a bigger heating bill than the storage heaters gave you. We don't fit heat pumps ourselves but we're happy to give you an honest opinion before you spend the money.
