Dimplex has successfully defended statements in their online leaflet against claims that they were misleading.
The list of ‘Electric Storage Heating Facts’ included the following which were reported to the advertising watchdog as misleading:
1. The performance of a Dimplex storage heater will not deteriorate over time
2. Running on off-peak electricity Dimplex storage heaters will always be cheaper over a 16 hour day than direct acting heaters on the day-rate
3. Dimplex storage heaters, like other electric space heaters are 100% efficient
4. Static Dimplex storage heaters have no moving parts and are maintenance-free for life
GDC Group Limited who trade as Dimplex, defended their claims to the Advertising Standards Agency who reported their decision on 30 January 2013. We look at the decisions in more detail.
1. The performance of a Dimplex storage heater will not deteriorate over time
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed that the performance of a Dimplex heater would not deteriorate over time. They concurred that “the product would always function at an efficiency rate of 100% from electricity to heat”, and that “the passive components in the heater had been designed to function at the same level for the lifecycle of the product”.
2. Running on off-peak electricity Dimplex storage heaters will always be cheaper over a 16 hour day than direct acting heaters on the day-rate
The ASA ruled that Dimplex’s claim that storage heaters were cheaper to run was fair, because they can take advantage of off peak electricity. Storing heat when energy tariffs are low and distributing heat during the more expensive tariff hours.
3. Dimplex storage heaters, like other electric space heaters are 100% efficient
The ASA ruled that most consumers would understand the implied meaning of ‘traditional’ heating methods to be appliances fueled by fossil-fuels. By comparison with such appliances it agreed with Dimplex’s claims. While it accepted the complainant’s claim that generating electricity for the National Grid does mostly rely on burning of fossil fuels, it agreed that the individuals consumers experience was what Dimplex was referring to.
4. Static Dimplex storage heaters have no moving parts and are maintenance-free for life
The ASA agreed with the complainant that the heaters did have some moving parts but as they do not ‘routinely move during the operation of the appliance’ the claim by Dimplex was admissible. Perhaps more controversially the ASA also upheld Dimplex’s claim that their products are ‘maintenance-free for life’ referred to the fact that the heaters do not require regular servicing and maintenance required to keep the appliance working effectively, rather than never going wrong.
See a great thread debating the merits of Gas Central Heating or Electric Night Storage Heaters on our DIY Doctor Forum. You can read our forum without being a member but if you want to contribute we ask you to register. It is free, but registering our users helps us to moderate the forum effectively for your safety.
