Hot water only flat

[Dillanm]

Hi there guys, I need a little advice.

myself and the girlfriend just bought a 1 bedroom flat whilst we're at University which has a copper cylinder with 2 elements as the main heating supply. The boiler literally supports 2 hot water taps, 1 in the bathroom and 1 in the kitchen.

We just got a shock when the electricity bill came through and I've decided to look for cheaper alternatives. Of which, I've come across water heaters similar to this NOTE: If linking to outside sides isn't allowed I'll delete the link.

I was just curious of 2 things; will this be suitable for our needs and will it be cheaper in the long run?

Friend is a heating engineer, so labour will be considerably cheaper so that's a less important factor.

Cheers,
Dillan[/url]

 

[Boilerman2]

Is your existing cylinder well lagged?
are you using the immersion heaters properly, if you are on Economy 7 tarrif the bottom Immersion heater should be on from 11pm till 6 am the top immersion heater is used as a day time boost ONLY if neccessary.

it sounds like both heaters have been on 24/7??

the unit you have suggested looks to be very power hungry, there are better alternatives such as a Heatrae sadia multipoint unvented, although one of these would struggle to support a shower, so an instantaneous electric shower could be fitted,

I suspect if you get to grips with what you have you will find running costs to be more reasonable!

 

[AlanE]

With that heater you will probably require a larger electric main incoming cable from the road, it uses up to 75Amps!!!

 

[Dillanm]

Boilerman, I meant to mention that we already have an electric shower so that's a cold water feed itself. No need for the heating system to power that

We've never really had the heating explained to us on move-in. I thought the control panel (in the kitchen) would be for the heaters only.

EDIT: We have old brick filled storage heaters.

 

[Dillanm]

Sorry to double post but you guys have actually helped me to conclude something. The people who lived there before us just had a baby and had said they were keeping the heating on 24/7 to keep the house warm. They've obviously not changed it after moving it. *sigh*

Cheers for the help guys, a change might not be needed yet!

 

[OwainDIYer]

We've never really had the heating explained to us on move-in. I thought the control panel (in the kitchen) would be for the heaters only.

Photo of the control panel please.

It's likely for your hot water not your heaters.

 

[Dillanm]

I won't be back at the flat til tomorrow so I'll post a pic then. Cheers for the help guys.

 

[Agile]

Hi there guys, I need a little advice.

myself and the girlfriend just bought a 1 bedroom flat whilst we're at University

Friend is a heating engineer, so labour will be considerably cheaper so that's a less important factor.

Cheers,
Dillan[/url]

Wow! Student grants have become big. I could only afford a shared bedsit!

Thats why I dont do work for friends as they always expect it to be done for nothing/low charges.

 

[Dillanm]

Hi there guys, I need a little advice.

myself and the girlfriend just bought a 1 bedroom flat whilst we're at University

Friend is a heating engineer, so labour will be considerably cheaper so that's a less important factor.

Cheers,
Dillan[/url]

Wow! Student grants have become big. I could only afford a shared bedsit!

Thats why I dont do work for friends as they always expect it to be done for nothing/low charges.

That makes me seem like a total douche doesn't it? I just meant that it won't be quite over what I'd expect to pay for it. My bad

 

[algas]

Just have the immersion heater on for 1 hr per day or less if you only need it to wash the dishes, you can buy a timer cheap at screwfix/toolstation, as said before make sure the cylinder is well lagged & no dripping hot taps, I think buying is a great idea if you got the flat at the right price, my daughter was paying £ 85.00 per wk just rent & after you graduate if you move away you can always rent out the flat to other students & hopefully make a pproffit

 

[Dillanm]

We got it at a pretty good price for a 15 yr old flat. How do I go about checking how lagged it is?

 

[Dillanm]

Untitled

• Dillanm
• 16 Aug 2012
• 1

This is the only heating control I can find in the flat. Any use?

 

[OwainDIYer]

That'll almost certainly be for your hot water (possibly the top/sink heater only on a two-heater system) for a daytime boost.

Press Start and the water heater should turn on for a pre-set period of time.

Press Cancel to turn the water heater off.