If you have solar panels on your home, you are probably already thinking about how to use more of what you generate rather than exporting it to the grid at a low rate. Battery storage is one way to do that. The Elnur ECOSSH solar smart storage heater is another, and it works particularly well for Devon homes that use electric heating.

The ECOSSH is a high heat retention storage heater that can draw directly from surplus solar generation or any other renewable energy source, rather than relying entirely on overnight off-peak electricity. It charges when your panels are producing more than you are using, stores that heat, and releases it when you need warmth. The result is a heating system that makes better use of what you already generate.

Why storage heaters and solar panels make sense together

Traditional storage heaters charge overnight on cheap off-peak electricity, typically on an Economy 7 or similar two-rate tariff, then release heat throughout the day. The problem for solar panel owners is that this pattern does not overlap well with solar generation. Your panels produce the most during daylight hours. Your heaters charge at night, from the grid.

A solar-compatible storage heater like the Elnur ECOSSH changes that. It can charge from grid off-peak rates overnight as normal, but it can also charge from surplus solar during the day. So when your panels are producing more than your household is consuming, the heater captures that excess as stored heat rather than letting it flow to the grid at the Smart Export Guarantee rate.

For Devon homes on an electric heating system, this combination can meaningfully reduce what you draw from the grid in autumn and winter, when solar generation is lower but heating demand is high.

What the Elnur ECOSSH solar storage heater actually does

The ECOSSH is Elnur’s WiFi-connected solar smart storage heater, available in four sizes from 975W input up to 2600W. Each unit stores between 7.8 kWh and 20.8 kWh of heat depending on size. It uses fan-assisted heat distribution and Elnur’s IEM (Intelligent Energy Management) technology to monitor room temperature continuously and adjust charging levels to match what is actually needed, rather than charging to maximum every night regardless.

The solar functionality works through a Solar Box accessory, used in conjunction with Elnur’s G Control Hub. The G Control Hub connects to your home WiFi and communicates wirelessly with each heater, managing the distribution and use of solar surplus across the installation. One Solar Box covers the whole system rather than one per heater.

Key features of the ECOSSH SOLAR:

• Charges from surplus solar or renewable energy as well as off-peak grid electricity
• WiFi control via the free Elnur Gabarron WiFi Control app on iOS and Android
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control
• Open Window Detection automatically pauses heating if a window is opened
• Three temperature levels: Comfort, Economy and Frost Protection
• Weekly and daily programming through the app or G Control Hub
• Geolocation available through the mobile app
• 12-year manufacturer warranty on the heater unit
• 5-year warranty on the ECOSSH SOLAR product specifically

How the G Control Hub and Solar Box work

The G Control Hub is the central unit that manages the whole system. It connects to your home router via WiFi and communicates with each heater wirelessly, with heaters acting as signal repeaters to extend the network across the house. The closest heater to the Hub needs to be within 30 metres, and the system builds a daisy-chain network from there.

The Solar Box accessory connects to your solar inverter or generation meter and monitors how much surplus energy your panels are producing in real time. When surplus is available, the G Control System directs it to the storage heaters to charge rather than exporting it. The system prioritises solar surplus for charging and only draws from the grid off-peak when solar is not sufficient.

Through the app you can see energy consumption and temperature data, prioritise heating in specific rooms, cap usage to stay within your contracted capacity, and authorise other users to control the system. It is a considerably more capable setup than the simple dial controls on older storage heaters.

Is the Elnur ECOSSH right for your Devon home?

The ECOSSH is worth considering if you already have solar panels and electric storage heating, or if you are planning both together. It works best in homes where heating demand is significant and where there is enough roof space to generate meaningful surplus during the day.

If your current storage heaters are old, inefficient units with manual dial controls, replacing them with the ECOSSH SOLAR range would bring two benefits at once: a much more efficient heating system with intelligent charging management, and the ability to use your solar generation directly for heat rather than only for general household electricity.

It is less relevant if you have gas central heating, since the comparison there is between the ECOSSH and a heat pump rather than replacing like-for-like. But for all-electric properties, for homes in rural Devon without a gas connection, and for properties where running costs on electric heating have become a real concern, the solar storage heater route is genuinely worth exploring.

What Electrix Renewable can advise on

We install solar PV systems for homes across Devon and work with battery storage, smart tariffs and energy management systems regularly. While Elnur products are available through Elnur’s own distribution network, we can advise on how a solar smart storage heater would fit alongside a solar installation or an existing solar system.

Specifically, we can look at your roof’s generation potential, your current or planned system size, and whether the surplus you are likely to generate during the day would make a material difference to heating costs if directed into storage heaters. We can also advise on whether battery storage, a solar diverter, or a solar storage heater is the better fit for your particular situation.

The right answer depends on your property, your energy use, and your priorities. We will give you an honest view.

Solar storage heater questions

Can solar panels power storage heaters?

Yes. A solar-compatible storage heater like the Elnur ECOSSH can charge from surplus solar generation during the day as well as from the grid on off-peak rates overnight. The amount of solar charging depends on your panel output and daily household consumption, but for a well-sized solar system it can meaningfully reduce grid dependence for heating.

Do I need a special accessory to connect my solar panels to the Elnur ECOSSH?

Yes. The ECOSSH requires the Elnur Solar Box accessory and the G Control Hub to use solar surplus. The Solar Box connects to your generation source and manages the distribution of surplus to the heaters. One Solar Box covers the whole installation regardless of how many heaters you have.

Can the ECOSSH SOLAR work without solar panels?

Yes. The ECOSSH operates as a standard smart storage heater on off-peak grid electricity if solar is not available or if surplus generation is not sufficient. The solar functionality is an additional capability rather than a requirement.

If you have solar panels and are thinking about how to get more from them, or if you are planning a solar installation and want to understand all the ways it can reduce your energy costs, get in touch with Electrix Renewable. Call 01803 615160 or contact us via the website to arrange a free, no-obligation conversation.