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Storage heaters: controls, tariffs and costs

Storage heaters charge up with cheaper night-time electricity and release the heat during the day. Set the two controls well and they cost much less to run; get them wrong and you pay for heat you waste.

Updated 2 October 2026 · energy.org.uk editorial team

How storage heaters work

A storage heater contains bricks or a similar material that heat up overnight, when electricity is cheaper on tariffs such as Economy 7. The heat is then released during the day. They work best with a tariff that has a cheap night rate.

Check

What to check first

  • The input control. This sets how much heat the heater stores overnight. Citizens Advice notes there is no point paying for more heat than you need, so lower it on milder days.
  • The output control. This sets how quickly the stored heat is released. If the output is high all day, the heater runs out of heat by the evening. Turn it down overnight and when you are out.
  • The boost button. Boost does not use stored, cheap-rate heat. It uses day-rate electricity, so use it only when the stored heat has run out.
  • Your tariff. Check you are on a tariff with a cheap night rate and that the heaters charge in your cheap hours. The hours can shift when the clocks change.

Older and newer heaters

Older heaters usually have manual input and output dials. Newer high heat retention storage heaters hold their heat better and usually have automatic controls that learn your routine or follow a timetable. If your heaters are old and hard to control, Energy Saving Trust advice on electric storage heaters can help you compare options.

Do

Practical next steps

  1. Set the input according to the weather forecast for the next day: lower when it will be mild.
  2. Keep the output low overnight and when you are out, then raise it gradually in the afternoon and evening.
  3. Avoid boost unless the stored heat has run out.
  4. Check your day and night rates and your night share in the Economy 7 calculator.
  5. Reduce heat loss first: draught-proofing and loft insulation help the stored heat last longer.

Take care

Important limitations

  • Storage heaters need planning: they cannot heat a room quickly if the weather changes suddenly.
  • Moving from Economy 7 to a single-rate tariff can make storage heaters expensive to run. Check before switching.
  • This guide does not cover fixed wiring or replacing heaters; use a qualified electrician.

Related tools and guides

Sources

Official sources checked 2 October 2026.