How to Repair Broken Storage Heater

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Has your electric storage heater stopped working? Is there no heat coming out? These two questions make you wonder whether you should repair your broken storage heater or simply buy a new one.

The most common causes of a broken storage heater are a faulty thermostat or a blown element. If you are a competent user who is confident enough to take off the front panel, you may check if there are really problems with the thermostat and see if it can be repaired. If problems are beyond that, you will need the services of a qualified electrician to repair your storage heater.

Thermostat and elements need to be replaced every two years or so. When the section of a heater turns cold, it means that an element has failed.

Spare parts that commonly cause a broken storage heater include (in order of occurrence):

  • Thermostat
  • Heating Elements
  • Terminal block which causes loose connection

Most of time, these would be the main problems that lead to a damaged storage heater. If your storage heater stops working, there are two most common possibilities – a faulty thermostat and a broken element, provided that it was not covered by clothing accidentally. If these are the problems, you do not have to worry! They can be easily replaced and are also relatively cheap.

How can you check and fix the thermostat of your broken storage heater? By performing a thermostat manual reset, it is possible to repair your storage heater.

  1. Turn off the power supply and remove it.
  2. If you are skilful, go inside and takeoff the front panel.
  3. At the top of your storage heater, look for three round polo-like items.
  4. The black cap nubbin with a red dot is the thermostat. Push it down to reset it. If you hear a click, it should function on the next charge period. If not, then the thermostat could be faulty and needs to be replaced.
  5. Put back the front panel and turn on the power. Wait until the next off-peak charge overnight to see if it takes the next charge. If not, call an engineer for a quote of his services or see if you should buy a new one.

When should you replace your storage heater? Storage heaters typically have a long life span although the thermostat or elements may fail in 6-8 years. Before you replace a broken storage heater, check if there are faults with the switch, circuit breakers or wiring.

Ask help from a competent user or an engineer. Then, the engineer could check the circuit to find faulty components or measure resistance to check for failed elements in order to eliminate other possible problems.

These are just tips that will give you an idea on how we repair storage heaters. It is not something we encourage our customers to do. To know more about our repair services click here.

57 Responses to “How to Repair Broken Storage Heater”

      • Julie Cooke

        I’m having trouble with my storage heaters. The main light switch isn’t coming on in the hall late at night, to build the heating up of the bricks which goes off automatically early in the morning. Can you help me. Julie.

        Reply
  1. Ian Holder

    I have a Sunhouse SSH18CW storge heater which trips the thermostat frequently!
    Please advise on cause and remedy,complete with part number(s) if possible.
    I also need a toggle switch for the convector side of this heater,if you could supply one of those too.
    If you should prefer I can be contacted on 07756680075.
    Thanks,Ian.

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    I live in a rented flat. One of my storage heaters does not seem to hold as much heat as the other and does not seem to heat up sufficiently even though the settings are on exactly the same input and output.
    Have you any idea what could be the issue?

    Reply
  3. Atkins

    Hi,
    I have a Creda night storage heater, TSR24AW, 79361S
    serial No. 4925H. The heater has stopped working wit one of the control units burnt out, there are two units, one fot input and one for output. Small round units about 15mm dia., with a connector each side.
    Can I purchase these units, if so can you give me the details?

    Thanks

    Reply
  4. john smyth

    some advice please. we have a live in carer for our 99yrs old mother. The carer was taking clothes out the washing machine and placed some on the night storage heater a creda tsr24cw it stopped working. can it be repaired? thank you

    Reply
  5. Barry Cooper

    Hi,
    I apologise for my brief words on my previous reply. I want to replace the charge controller in my dimplex MODXLS12N Automatic Storage Heater. Serial number is 008065J It is approximately 9 years old. This model has the thermostat with an external sensor. The wire is soldered to the tempurature sensing thermostat. Will the heater have to be completely stripped down to replace this part?

    Alternatively, Could I replace this with a bi-metal that the XL models use adjustable manually which would be easy to be fitted?

    Your suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

    Many thanks,
    Barry Cooper

    Reply
  6. John

    Polo-like item ?, no one know’s what a “polo” type item is ??…. maybe a better description or photo ?….

    Reply
  7. Frank Barrett

    my night storage heaters are now much hotter than they should be last winter they stayed really hot even after I turned them right down and my electricity bills were really high my electricity supplier informed me that they were using a lot more electricity than normal do I need to replace them or could they be fixed thank you

    Reply
  8. Ricardo

    Hello,

    I need to fix a couple of storage heaters that have stopped working.

    Is it possible to have a professional check on them?

    Thank you.

    Kind regards.

    Reply
  9. Mark davey

    I’ve got two storage heaters and both do not work but we’re working last winter had them off since,they haven’t come on this year,why could that be? Many thanks

    Reply
  10. Joe Sciascia

    My storage heater only stays warn for 1 hour in the morning.Can I rectify this.Thank you.

    Reply
  11. Anthony Turner

    My Heatstore operates properly at first, with heat coming out, but switches off after 90 secs. It now happens every time. What is the solution, please?

    Reply
  12. Alison Fairgrieve

    Storage heaters in my cottage date from 1981. Over the years since 1997 I have replaced or dumped several. Howeverthe smallest bedroom,never much used, has a heater working well all last winter. Not working now. I migrated to this roomas I want to move and re-paint the other two.I am not able to replace the heating system entirely. This will have to be up to the buyer.

    I hope your instructions will work for one of the last three old storage heaters in the cottage. I put a modern one in the bathroom at an extortionate price. It is a swindle.

    Reply
  13. Beverley Howarth

    Hi I have some sunflow radiators but the dial doesn’t click the red light comes on if you turn it it goes green but no heat . Could you tell me what is wrong with it . Thanks bev

    Reply
  14. Samuel Jason Beeson

    We have a dimplex storage heater
    One end gets hot the other end is cold
    Can this be repaired
    If so please give me a call I am in East Bridgford
    07906054718
    Thx

    Reply
  15. Corrina Morrison

    My storage heater won’t turn on in my living room and I have a 1 year old in my house. The other heaters are working it’s just this one.

    Reply
  16. Judi Gibbard

    My off peak night storage heater is no longer working. Changed the switch and for a while was okay and then started over heating again and has now gone kaput and stone cold. Thinking it may be the thermostat but not sure what it looks like or where to find it. Can’t find the reset button either. The elements look fine. A picture of what it looks like would help as can’t find it on google. Many thanks.

    Reply
  17. gareth roberts

    I have a MATHIUS storage heater that is broken, ELNUR ..sh12A 220-240 V 1600W typ.AD2x2120,the thermosate needs repacing could you give names of possible service engineers in GWYNEDD .NORTH Wales

    Reply
  18. Derek Michael Winder

    Our storage heaters were installed in the 80s,ugly and expensive.
    Our housing ass. even stopped servicing them 9 yrs ago.
    Can i take the old storage heater out and install a panel heater plugged into a normal household wall socket?
    Thank you for any advice.

    D.Winder

    Reply
  19. Joanna east

    My heater keeps charging during peak hours. Otherwise works fine. What should I check?

    Reply
  20. Anthony Govia

    How do i repair a Heatstore storage Heater Model number HSXDA24N serial number 000572H . Are the parts still availiable to purchase? Thermal cut out and temperature controller ?

    Reply
  21. Jean smugh

    The storage heater has been assessed by an electrician as needing new element. Cannot find anyone to replace it

    Reply
  22. Alexander Thomson

    Why would a three solid elements type storage heater only heat at the top and stay cold at the, bottom after being on all night

    Reply
  23. B.DALLADAS

    Our storage heaters suddenly cost more to run. We are on a fixed tariff. Last winter at 4°clock in the morning it cost average £1.50 now £2.70.I am checking my monitor every morning. Why?

    Reply
  24. Nick Downes

    My storage heater does not seem to ‘obey’ the thermostat. If it is switched on, it just gets very hot and stays hot. What can you suggest?

    Reply
  25. Beth

    Hi,
    One of my storage heaters isn’t working. The part you turn to change what number setting you want over night seems to be loose and maybe no longer connected to what it’s suppose to be connected to inside. I hope that makes sense.
    Could this be fixed?
    Thanks

    Reply
  26. Doreen Coles

    my night storage dimplex is still working but my out put has come of so i can not reglate the heat try to get it on but no good hope you can help me doreen

    Reply
  27. Azi Ullah

    Hi have been called out to look at one of your heaters which is tripping the on peak power to a rental property, seems the element at the bottom of the heater is short circuit to ground, how do I obtain replacement parts for this heater its a hhr20

    Reply
  28. Maddie

    My heater was accidentally covered, and now its not turning on. Is it fixable?

    Reply
  29. Tash

    Your article is clear and concise and quite helpful too. Diagrams are not necessary in my view as they can be found online elsewhere if needed, or on the manufacturers website.

    I do have a few questions though that I have concerns about:
    1. Do night storage heaters require a 20amp switch socket at the wall?
    2. Would a 13amp switched fused spur be ok?

    My heaters have a mixture with two of the same size (2.4Kw) on different sockets!! I have not had any issues to date, but I am presuming that the 20A sockets would be the correct ones, especially if they are all being heated up on maximum input at the same time.

    Once I know, then I take the correct necessary measures to rectify ant issues.

    I’d appreciate your input.

    Many thanks in advance

    Reply
  30. Paulette Beckford

    I have a storage heater but the components knobs I use to turn heating up and down have become warm and have broken off could someone come out and fit knew knobs on please. Thanks. Contact on mobile 07854472642.
    Paulette Beckford
    79 Brecon Tower
    Guild Close
    Ladywood
    Birmigham
    B16 8DT

    Reply
  31. Rob

    Just a quick question. Would the placing of an oil filled electric radiator near to a storage heater possibly cause the thermal fuse to melt during use? Many thanks.

    Reply
  32. Henry

    I have a Dimplex storage heater CXL N which has stopped working. My electrician said the element is gone. It’s over 20 years old and I am looking at replacing it unless you think it’s worth keeping. Please advise. Thanks.

    Reply
  33. Barbara Gibbs

    Hi
    I need replacement elements for a small Dimplex storage heater thats about 15 years old.
    Can you help?

    Reply
  34. Theresa

    Quantum storage heater not working – there is power to both electrical sockets but display unit isnt working so can’t get menu or anything. Any advice please. Thanks

    Reply
  35. TIM JOHNSON

    Hi. I have a Sunhouse storage heater. I only use it at the coldest times of year. I have used it less than 5 times since new. After initial heat begins to come out, the control panel starts flashing red. And then it stops working. Any ideas. I installed – and wired myself – about 50 of these heaters in let properties a few years ago. Only one didn’t work properly and an engineer came under warranty. he said there were only two things which could go wrong. One was the control panel needed replacing. the 2nd problem – l do not remember. I used to be able to diagnose and repair the old style heaters, but have little experience of the new ones. Any suggestions would be gratefully received ! Thanks, Tim

    Reply
  36. Robin Stock

    One of our storage heaters appeared to have a spade terminal not connected tightly which had caused a melt down of the terminal block. After replacing the terminal block and reconnecting the wires it then blew the 15a fuse.
    No electrician locally would look at it so I replaced the fuse and it has worked ever since. It is a 3.4kw rated heater so 15a doesn’t leave much spare. I had thought of uprating to 20a but so far 15a is working.
    Good to hear that you repair storage heaters.

    Reply
  37. Sunil Babla

    Hi, I have a rented property and it has storage heater. It is working but not heating properly.

    What can be the cause and how it can be fixed?

    Thanks,

    Sunil

    Reply
  38. Iulian

    Hi. I got 2 new elctric heaters I sett them to run 6 hours during the night. Two weeks all good but now ar stop working after 2 hours. Is working again only if i unplug them an plug them back. Bouth ar stop working in the seame time.Any healp? Thank you.

    Reply
  39. Steve perry

    Hi almy storage night heaters no working but. The day ones work could it be a loss wire would that stop all 3 thanks bye cheers can only be that checked fuses ect bye it could be a break in cercit? Cheers

    Reply
  40. D.Gosling

    I don’t know if you can help me. Back in May this year I had a Smart meter fitted. On going to switch a storage heater on recently. My trip switch in the bungalow is tripping everything out so no electric.Ive tried all three storage heaters individually, and they all trip everything out. So have no heating for the winter. Could you give me your opinion please on what you think it could be. And if you think its related to having this new Smart metre fitted this May. The storages heaters’s are 20 years old but we’re fine before had this Smart Meter fitted.Thanks

    Reply
  41. Gordon Bryan

    I require a new pcb
    ELNUR 30100087 Where can I get one from and how much will it cost??

    Reply

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