High heat retention storage heaters HHR
High heat retention storage heaters are contemporary versions of what used to be referred to simply as night storage heaters, off-peak heaters or Economy 7 heaters. Some models can benefit from night storage capacity, so heating a bettery over night at a lower tariff, but also with the ability to run ans normal but high efficiency day rate heaters.
'Modelling electric storage heaters within the Home Energy Model' published in December 2023 by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and an consortium led by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) defines electric storage heaters as 'room heaters which typically use off-peak electricity to heat up a high thermal mass core, then release this heat later when space heating is required.' it continues 'Their use is long-established in the UK and they have historically been a helpful technology in terms of smoothing the load on the national grid. The main factors determining their performance are their storage capacity, their ability to retain heat and their ability determine the correct amount of heat to store each night relative to the next day’s requirement.'
The term high heat retention storage heaters stemmed from Lot 20 of the Ecodesign legislation from the EU which covered for local room heating products ( EU 2015/1188 ) or space heaters using electricity, gaseous, or liquid fuels. It aimed to replace inefficient technologies with energy-efficient products to reduce energy consumption in homes and achieve carbon reduction targets. Manufacturers had to incorporate intelligent controls in their products, such as temperature controls, timers, presence detection, adaptive start control, distance control functions, and open window detection. Non-compliant heaters could not be supplied or installed in EU member states, so led to the introduction of more energy-efficient products with intelligent controls, requiring manufacturers to increase the efficiency of their components without raising costs. In effect HHRs are more efficient night storage heaters.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Smart electricity tariffs
- Changing patterns in domestic energy use FB 76
- Climate change act.
- Climate Change Levy.
- Cradle-to-grave.
- CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Economy 7, 9 and 10
- Ecodesign directive.
- Ecodesign compliant stove.
- Ecodesign compliant products.
- Economy 7.
- Energy Act.
- Emission rates.
- Energy targets.
- Environmental policy.
- Electricity generation
- Electricity supply
- Energy Use Intensity
- Energy targets for buildings.
- Green Claims Code.
- Green deal.
- Smart grid electricity network
- Standards.
- Sustainability.
- Sustainable materials.
- The Future of Electricity in Domestic Buildings
- The use of batteries to store electricity for buildings
- TV pickup
- What to know about foundation earthing.
- Whole life costs.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.