How Fairfield Electrical turned old storage heater bricks from waste into value
Traditionally, bricks removed from storage heaters, some more than 30 years old, were sent to skips, incurring high disposal costs due to their weight. But a simple suggestion from one of their engineers changed everything: "You do know people buy these?"
After a quick online search confirmed the demand, the team began cleaning and advertising the bricks on Facebook and other online platforms. The result? A win-win: reduced waste, lower costs, and a new revenue stream.
What started with the occasional collection soon gathered momentum as people began discovering just how useful the old storage heater bricks could be. Originally designed to absorb and retain heat inside Dimplex Quantum storage heaters, the bricks proved ideal for a wide range of applications well beyond their original purpose.
Adam Fairfield of Fairfield Electrical shared with Dimplex that one of the most popular uses has been in homemade pizza ovens, as the bricks help maintain the high temperatures needed for cooking. Others have been used in greenhouses to help regulate temperature, supporting gardeners looking for practical and low-cost ways to protect plants during colder periods.
As word spread, increasingly creative uses began to emerge. Potter Zoe collected bricks for use in a future smoke-fired kiln project, preferring to reuse existing materials where possible. Some have found their way into wood-burning stove surrounds and hearths, helping to absorb and slowly release heat long after the fire has died down. A canal boat owner has also put the bricks to work, using their heat-retaining properties to create a more consistent source of warmth in their compact living space.
The bricks have even appeared in some unexpected places. One customer used them as ballast in a rally car, while another reported that they were being used on the iconic Cider Bus at Glastonbury Festival to aid the cider fermentation process.
Among the more unusual stories is Cooper, a village stray cat whose shelter was created using reclaimed storage heater bricks and straw bedding. Retaining the warmth and slowly releasing it over time, the bricks helped create a cosy refuge during the winter months.
Each new use reinforces the same idea that materials that might once have been considered waste can still have significant value. Keeping the storage heater bricks in circulation has meant Fairfield Electrical has not only reduced disposal costs but also helped extend the life of a material that continues to serve a purpose decades after it was first manufactured.
What began as a simple suggestion from an engineer has become a great example of waste reduction and reuse in action. Thousands of bricks that may otherwise have ended up in landfill have instead been reused by homeowners, hobbyists, businesses and local communities, proving that sometimes the most effective sustainability solutions are also the simplest.
“"This is a fantastic example of circular economy thinking. It's not just about saving money, it's about recognising the value that still exists in materials and finding new uses for them. Seeing the variety of applications has been incredibly inspiring and shows how practical ideas can make a meaningful difference."”
As more stories continue to emerge, Fairfield Electrical's reclaimed Dimplex Quantum storage heater bricks are proving that with a little creativity and a different perspective, even the most unlikely materials can find a second life.
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