The classsic AGA heat storage cooker - The Economy 7 electric model is ideally suited where a constant background heat is needed to warm to room as well as provide cooking facilities.
It is cheap to run (a little less than an oil one, and with lower maintenance costs) and works well. Not needing a chimney or flue helps as it can be installed in more varied locations that the oil one (which is tied to a chimney/flue).
It works very much like a night storage heater - charging a bank of heat-storage bricks in the overnight cheap-rate period of the Economy 7 tariff, then using a small heat transfer fan to distribute the heat to cast iron ovens and hot plates throughout the day.
Because it's electric there's no need for a flue or chimney, after all there are no gas or oil fumes to get rid of. (It still has a small 28mm oven ventilation pipe to outside because, just like traditional Aga's, the cast iron ovens vent outside to minimise cooking smells and steam). This means greater flexibility as to where in your kitchen you want your AGA to be.
Economy 7 is available everywhere in the UK and to get it, it's normally just a case of ringing your electricity supplier and requesting a change of tarriff. They'll then arrange to come and fit you a new 'dual rate' electric meter. (Domestic users dont usually get charged for this.)
The new meter has a 'radio teleswitch' built in - this receives a radio signal to let it know when to count on the cheap 'night' rate (normally midnight to 7am GMT) and when to count on normal 'day' rate.
You dont notice when the day/night rate switch over happens (there's no interruption in the electric supply), you just get your 7 hours of cheap electricity every night. (You can also switch to using your washing machine, tumble dryer, hot water immersion heater and dishwasher overnight too to maximise savings.)
Typical prices compared to a standard '24-hour' tariff are fractionally higher during the day and around half-price overnight, so as long as the greater proportion of your usage is overnight you'll be better off on Economy 7.
At Mr Cooker, we understand that energy prices can be high, but we have a solution to help reduce the running costs, while still allowing you to enjoy the luxury of a traditional Aga. By connecting your 30 amp Aga to a grid connected storage PV installation, you can reduce your energy bills and take advantage of the EC7 tariff.
A grid connected PV system is a solar energy system (but could also be wind generated) that is connected to the electricity grid. It uses solar panels to generate electricity, which is then stored in batteries. This electricity can then be used to power your 30 amp Aga, reducing your energy bills. The EC7 tariff allows you to charge the batteries using the electricity grid, meaning you can take advantage of cheaper energy prices.
At Mr Cooker, we are dedicated to helping you reduce your energy bills and make the most of your 30 amp Aga. Contact us today to find out more about our grid connected storage PV installation and EC7 tariff.
To see what to expect on the day of fitting a 30 Amp Aga, head on over to our build gallery.