Do storage heaters need servicing ? You have a storage or ETS unit and are wondering if at all it needs to be serviced. We are certified installers and can answer that.
All storage heaters need servicing. Although they do not seem to have many moving parts they still need to be checked electrically. Your storage heater dealer should be able to provide a service plan.
Do Storage Heaters Need Servicing?
All storage heaters need some type of servicing.
Some of the storage heaters have internal moving parts like fans or sticker boards.
The storage heaters need to be cleaned out at least once a year with a vacuum.
It is it is also a good idea to have the electrical connections checked once every year or two.
Your local electrician or service repair man can check for any burnt wires, bad elements or any signs of wear on the inside of the heater.
They can also check the brick compartment to make sure that the insulation still has the brick sealed in place.
The heater can lose efficiency if the brick compartment starts to leak air or is not sealed properly.
This is very important part of the heater.
Why Do Storage Heaters Need Servicing ?
These brick style heaters or ETS heaters are very expensive to install.
You definitely want to take care of your investment.
You wouldn’t buy a car and not get the oil changed so the same principle applies. Servicing the storage heaters or the equipment is a smart idea for the longevity of the product.
Although you did not have to get them serviced it is a wise idea to get them serviced.
When Do Storage Heaters Need Servicing?
The installer or dealer will tell you that you need to have servicing once a year. This is not always the case with some examples.
Point out to the dealer or salesman if your home or business is fulltime or just seasonal. Obviously if you are only there part time and the heaters are only used in the shoulder season, spring and fall. Then you do not need to have them serviced as much.
The same applies if you only plan to use them once an a while for back up heat to another source. You would not be required to service them all of the time.
Will It Void My Warranty If I Don’t?
Some companies will stipulate that you must have a service plan in order to keep the warranty on the product.
Be careful and read the fine terms before you purchase the product to make sure that they are not holding you to a service plan.
If they are holding you to a service plan then you want to work out their agreement and the terms of the plan and how often it has to be done.
In some cases if you do not have the heater serviced than the supplier or company that sold you the heaters may argue warranty issues.
So it’s in your best interest to know all of this upfront.
What Type Of Service Plan Should I Get?
During the sales process the sales person will give you your options for a service plan.
We would recommend getting a service plan that includes all parts, labor and warranty for a minimum of five years.
This will ensure that the product is in good working condition and you can have it serviced by the technician once a year.
The service man will take it upon themselves to make sure that the product is in good working condition.
It is also a good idea to have this as they can look at the program to make sure that nothing is changed with it.
Having the program and the time set correctly on the unit is important as you were receiving a reduced rate at off peak hours.
If you get a power bump or there’s no memory on the unit this could greatly affect the units operation and reflect on your power bill.
How Do You Clean A Storage Heater
You can do general maintenance to a storage heater yourself.
You can vacuum in around the heater out with a crevice tool made of plastic to get in around the cover and keep it clear from dust is always a good idea.
Make sure you don’t lay anything on top of the heater to dry it.
This will cause the sensors to prematurely pick up to make the heat or think that there’s something smothering it.
The key is to keeping the heater clear of any obstructions.
Other than that there’s not really much you can do with the heater.
This is why you should have a service plan and let them deal with the cleaning of the heater.
Can You Repair A Storage Heater?
Most storage heaters can be repaired yes.
Really it just boils down to electric elements , the bricks with a control board and a fan.
Most of these parts can be sourced by the service provider that sold you the equipment.
It’s important to remember that after your service plan has expired you will most likely pay top dollar for parts.
At that point it may be better to have the heater replaced or look at a newer technology.
Repairs to the old heater can become costly the same as an old car.
The circuit boards for some of these older storage heaters are now discontinued.
It may be wiser to invest in a newer style heater.
Keep an eye open for sales or in particular efficiency rebates through your local energy program.
What Is The Life Expectancy?
Providing you do your proper service the life expectancy of a storage heater or an ETS brick heater can be up to 35 years.
After that period of time then the product will become obsolete and will be hard to get parts for.
If you don’t do your regularly scheduled service maintenance and you could shorten the life of the heater.
It is important to have the electrical connections inside the heater checked from time to time. These connections can become loose from the continuous expansion and contraction of the copper conductors taking a charge every night.
At the price you do not want to shorten the life of the heater as it is as it is a costly investment.
What If The Heater Gets Wet?
If a storage unit gets wet it depends on how extensive the damages.
If you have one of the storage heaters in the basement and it floods you will most likely be into a situation where you have to replace the heater.
Any amount of water that would get into the frame, circuit board or the ceramic bricks would need to be replaced. Once moisture gets in around these ceramic brakes and insulation it would become moldy and brittle.
In some cases the can save the heater if the water didn’t enter the brick compartment. We would need to do a detailed inspection of the inside.
At this point if you have a flood in your basement or water pouring down over and you may want to run this through your insurance company.
Insurance companies are usually good with these kinds of things.
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