Storage heaters use electricity to store heat, usually during cheaper overnight periods, then release that heat during the day.
How you control them depends on whether you have an older manual storage heater or a newer digital storage heater.
IMPORTANT: Safety First!
Only carry out the simple checks described below.
Never remove the heater casing or attempt electrical repairs yourself.
If you notice smoke, sparking, scorching, a strong burning smell or signs of overheating, switch the heater off at the wall if it is safe to do so and contact your landlord.
If the problem continues after carrying out these checks, please contact your landlord for further support.
Older Storage Heaters
Scroll down for newer storage heaters. 
Older storage heaters usually have two controls: Input/Charge and Output.
Input / Charge
This controls how much heat is stored overnight.
- Turn it up in colder weather.
- Turn it down in milder weather.
- If your heater runs out of heat too early, increase the Input setting the following night.
Changing the Input will not usually make the heater warmer immediately, as it needs to charge overnight.
Output
This controls how quickly the stored heat is released.
Keep the Output lower when you do not need much heat and increase it when you want the room warmer.
Turning the Output up does not create more heat; it simply releases the stored heat more quickly.
If your heater regularly goes cold before the evening, reduce the Output during the day and increase the Input for the next overnight charge.
If Your Heater Is Cold
Check that:
- The wall switch is ON.
- Check that the switch on the consumer unit is ON and doesn't trip.
- The Input/Charge control is not set to minimum.
- The heater has been left switched on overnight.
If it is still completely cold the following morning, contact your landlord.
Newer Digital Storage Heaters
Modern storage heaters usually have digital controls and can automatically manage how much heat is stored and released.
Depending on the model, you may be able to set:
- Your preferred room temperature.
- Times when you want the heating on.
- Different daily heating programmes.
- Boost heating.
For normal use, set the temperature and heating times to suit your routine and allow the heater to manage its overnight charge automatically.
If the room is not warm enough, check the temperature setting and heating programme before using Boost.
Boost Heating
Some digital heaters have a Boost function that provides additional heat immediately.
Boost can use electricity at the normal daytime rate rather than cheaper overnight electricity, so regular use may increase your energy costs.
If you frequently need Boost, check that your normal temperature and heating programme are set correctly.
If the display shows an error, the heater does not charge overnight, or the controls are not responding, make a note of any error codes and then try turning the power off for 5 minutes to allow the electronics to fully discharge. Like any appliance with a computer, a restart can fix certain issues.
If the problem continues after carrying out these checks, please contact your landlord for further support.
Keep Your Heater Clear
Storage heaters can become very hot.
Never:
- Cover the heater.
- Dry clothes or towels on it.
- Place furniture directly against it.
- Block the air vents.
