Two meters & Ecomony 7
I must say I have never heard of two meters being used to provide light on one and power on the other, it was always my belief that the use of light sockets was due to the lack of wall sockets rather than anything else, and I endorse the comments made by others that they were highly unsuitable.
I was surprised to find out that our "ring main" domestic wiring system was devised as a means of reducing the use, or rather the need for, copper wiring in the post war housing boom in a period when resources were scarce.
The old way of economy seven was to have two meters, but more recently there is simply one meter with two readouts on it, one for day rate and one for night rate, I don't know when this system was introduced, but its what I have had in my current home for nearly 10 years.
I actually find storage heaters work quite well, I have only one and it generally covers my heating needs for the whole house with only an occasional supplement with additional heat during the coldest weather. There is a damper control which reduces the heat output during the day which suits me as I am out at work all day - perhaps it would be different if I was at home more, but even at weekends its OK, although you need to remember to keep doors shut. Likewise my water is heated during the night which is fine for the shower in the morning although I can boost it during the day if necessary (at day rate) - most hot water cylinders have provision for two immersion heaters, the night rate heater being at the bottom and the day rate half way up. I tend to run my washing machine and dishwasher at night too to take advantage of the cheaper electricity, although as both are cold fill only I can run them during the day without depleting the hot water.
All electric space and water heating tends to be popular with developers of apartments and small houses as it is much cheaper and easier to install, and with good insulation it can work well.
By far the WORST heating system I ever had was a warm air heating system powered by like a huge storage heater, which was totally useless. This was in 1977 when I moved into a council flat which had probably been built about 10 years before and was not well insulated. At the time it was very expensive to run and, as the air outlets were all at ceiling level, all it did was heat the air at the top of the room. That was not used for long I can tell you!
Al
