Heating apparatus controlled to utilize lower cost energy

Heating control apparatus for use in a heating system having electric heating means for space heating at least one location, said electric heating means comprising storage heating means and direct heating means provided at said location, and temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature at said location, said heating system being connected to an electricity supply having a cost profile indicating variations in electricity cost with time;

• said heating control apparatus comprising data receiving means for receiving data on said cost profile and weather prediction information;
• user selection means operable by a user to select a desired temperature for said location and a desired time and duration of said desired temperature;
• information storage means for storing information defining the thermal response characteristics of said location and said electric heating means;
• and control means responsive to said data received by said data receiving means, said temperature measuring means, said user selection means, and said stored information to determine the times at which each of said storage heating means and said direct heating means is energized, said control means being operative to control said heating means accordingly in order to achieve said desired temperature for said desired time and duration at said location, and to energize said storage heating means preferentially when the electricity cost is low.