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According to figures published in HVP Magazine in 2023, roughly 1.7 million properties across the UK are still heated by storage heaters, many of which are more than 20 years old. Any of those storage heaters manufactured prior to 1974 are likely to contain hazardous asbestos insulation.
The experts at EMS are going to take you through how these storage heaters work, why there is asbestos in storage heaters, how to identify it, whether your heaters contain asbestos, what to do if you think they do and how to safely check your storage heaters for asbestos.
Storage heaters are usually wall-mounted and look like a normal radiator. Inside a usually metal housing are two stacks of ceramic or clay bricks with an electric heating element in between them.
Overnight, when energy tariffs are often cheaper, the element heats the bricks around it, which then store the heat, releasing it slowly throughout the day and warming the property. They were commonly fitted to social housing as well as properties of all kinds without a gas supply.
During the 20th century, many storage heaters were constructed using asbestos insulation. While there is now a whole world of safe, modern alternatives, many properties still contain asbestos storage heaters, posing a risk to building occupants.
Asbestos was commonly used in storage heaters because it is fire-resistant and highly insulative. This helped to act as a fireguard in case the heaters malfunctioned and aided in retaining heat for longer, making them more efficient.
While we’re all too aware of the dangers of asbestos today, during the 20th century, it was hailed as a wonder material; cheap, fire-resistant, strong and versatile. As a result, it found its way into a huge range of products, from toilet seats to building materials.
Asbestos in storage heaters was typically found in one of a few forms; either as loose fill, a textured board insulation or as fluffy, almost fabric strips around seams. The issue, of course, is that identifying any of these usually means opening the heater and risking disturbing the asbestos.
As a general rule, without having to pry your heater apart, if it was fitted any time before 1999, especially before around 1974, then it could contain asbestos insulation. If in doubt, it is always safest to assume that it does.
The only reliable, safe way to determine whether your storage heaters contain asbestos is to have them professionally surveyed. While domestic kits are available, they require you to open the heater yourself and risk exposure to asbestos fibres. A professional asbestos surveyor will arrive equipped with everything they need to work safely, protecting you and themselves from exposure, and gathering samples for lab analysis.
This boils down to one question: when did they stop putting asbestos in storage heaters? In the UK, the general use and importation of asbestos was banned in 1999. However, the use of asbestos in insulation materials was outlawed as early as 1973, meaning that any heaters made post-1974 should be asbestos-free.
It’s worth noting though that some heaters made before the ban may have been fitted after 1974 while stocks were still available.
Asbestos is made up of millions of tiny fibres, which are very lightweight and can become airborne easily if disturbed. Once in the air, they can be inhaled. They then attach themselves to the inside of the lungs and irritate the surface. Over time, this can lead to the development of life-threatening conditions including asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The UK Asbestos Training Association estimates that even more than a quarter of a century after the ban, 5,000 people still die from asbestos-related illnesses each year in Britain.
As long as the asbestos in storage heaters remains in-tact and sealed within the heater, it poses relatively little risk. However, if it is disturbed or the insulation begins to degrade, fibre release, and therefore inhalation, becomes more likely.
If you suspect your storage heaters contain asbestos:
You should look for an experienced UKAS-accredited asbestos surveyor. They will be able to offer a range of survey options including asbestos management surveys, asbestos refurbishment surveys and asbestos demolition surveys, depending on your needs – they can advise which is most suitable.
Your surveyor may even offer licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal, to help you safely extract any asbestos products from your property.
You may even be able to claim financial relief from the government to help cover the costs of addressing asbestos issues in both commercial and domestic properties, under the Land Remediation Relief scheme and the Uninhabitable Dwellings section of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual respectively.
Do your storage heaters have asbestos in them? If they were made before 1974, they probably do. Whether you own a commercial or domestic property, EMS can help you safely identify and even remove asbestos-containing storage heaters, safeguarding yourself and occupants from possible exposure.
We have been providing UKAS-accredited asbestos surveys in Worcester, Herefordshire and the West Midlands as well as throughout the UK since 2003, and can help you remain legally compliant and safe. Book your survey today by calling 01432 263333, emailing info@emsgroupuk.com or by filling out our contact form.
Asbestos in storage heaters should remain relatively inert as long as the heater is not disturbed and the material the asbestos is in has not degraded. However, it is always safest to turn the heaters off, avoid disturbing them and contact a professional for a survey. They will be able to advise how safe your heaters are to use.
If you’re struggling to afford the cost of asbestos removal, you may be able to apply for financial relief to help with the costs. If you own or operate a commercial property, and the asbestos at your premises has been deemed unsafe, you are legally required to remove it regardless of cost – failure to do so could result in fines and potentially a prison sentence. In the meantime, it’s best to turn off any affected heaters or items and cover them gently with a dust sheet or similar item. Also, make sure to contact different providers for removal quotes – some may be more competitive than others. For a non-licensed asbestos removal quote from EMS, call 01432 263333 now.
For asbestos removal, commercial property owners may be able to apply for relief under the Land Remediation Relief scheme. Homeowners might be eligible for stamp duty exemption to help with the costs under the Uninhabitable Dwellings Section of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual.
For heater replacement, it’s possible in some cases to receive funding as part of the Central Heating Fund – this only applies to storage heater removal, and not installation.
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