What's the cheapest way to heat my water?? Help?

kem187

In light of recent the recent heating charges hikes, I have been considering how I heat my water. I have a gas boiler and tend to leave it on permanently. Has anyone any ideas about whether it is cheaper to do this or set it to heat just twice a day. Any ideas gratefully recieved.

thanks!!

globalds

What kind of boiler is it ?
If it has a a tank that is well lagged you will keep some hot water for a good while after you turn the boiler off .
If it is a Combi type boiler ..Then the water will heat as and when you demand it .

jillymit

I used to heat my water full time, then cut down to twice a day. After reading a huge amount of advice on this site I now proudly only have my hot water 'on' for 20 minutes a day just about teatime.
I decided that I didn't need to put it on in the morning at all as we all shower in the morning and go off to work/school leaving the hot water that I had paid to heat to get cold.
There's always enough hot water left over in the tank for washing hands and rinsing the odd mug or two in the morning and 20 minutes seems to be enough time for the boiler to heat up a full tank of water for use in the evening.
I've done this for the last 2 months and most of the family haven't even noticed although my husband moaned his car had to have a cold wash the other weekend! :rolleyes:
Give it a go cutting the time down gradually you'll be amazed

something_girl

I was also wondering this question, I've got my water set to heat up for an hour morning and evening, but I don't think we even need that. We have a dishwasher that I presume is cold fill, and we usually all shower at night (me and 2 kids), so no hot water used in morning.

amcluesent

Also depends on where the tank thermostat is positioned and the temp. it's been set at.

If it's near the top of the tank and set at 50, then the boiler shouldn't be on that much to keep the water at temp.

kem187

Thanks for all the posts will give heating it once a day a go. The tank is quite well lagged so should be ok and if the car has to have a cold wash then so be it!

hubballi

I have an old gas boiler in the kitchen. I switch the water to heat in the evening for washing up/bath. In the winter when we have the central heatng on the water gets heated automaticly anyway. I sometimes use the immersion heater. Its quicker than the gas boiler but I don't know if more expensive.