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Which is best, hot water boiler on all day or once/twice per day? (merged threads)

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  • Sarahjovi
    Sarahjovi Posts: 1,017 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi,

    I've been reading this thread with interested. We have just got back from our holiday and I turned the CH/Hot water off whilst we were away, and not turned it back on as I want to re-programme the timer. We have an old and probably inefficient boiler and I was wondering how long everyday should it be on for to give us enough hot water to wash etc., (We have an electric shower and a dishwasher) Incidently I ran the hot tap yesterday and the water came out reasonably hot after being off for the last 10 days, so I assume my tank insulation is doing its job!

    Anyhow, would an hour a day be enough, or should I go for on all day like other people have suggested... or am I asking how long is a piece of string?

    Cheers

    Sarah:D
  • toshkininny
    toshkininny Posts: 1,189 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    good question, wish I knew!

    Another question going slightly adrift. Is it cheaper to boil a kettle first then put water in the saucepan to cook veg, or cheaper to boil water in saucepan?

    I am assuming the kettle option!

    I know it is nothing to do with boilers but it is another thing I have wondered about!
  • Sarahjovi
    Sarahjovi Posts: 1,017 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    I spoke to a Gas Heating engineer today, coincidently, and he said if we just want the hot water for a bath etc., just put the water on for an hour before we want it!

    So I might just do that!

    Sarah:D

    PS: I always boil the kettle for the veg.
  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    We've got a BoilerMate system, which is about 17 years old (ie same age as the house).

    It has a storage cylinder and there's no immersion heater at all.

    With this system you don't turn the hot water off at all.
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
  • DH has always told me that leaving the hot water heater on constant is more economical as the temperature is maintained without having to heat it up from cold. I found out today though that is not correct, so now I'm confused and thought you wise people on here would know what to do!
    We are in a modern property with a gas central heating system, insulated hot water tank and the water set to 48.
    We are a big family with showers in the morning, 2 or 3 loads of washing during the day, 1 or 2 dishwasher loads and the odd bath in the evening.
    Bearing all that in mind, how often do you think I need to have the hot water on? A couple of hours in the morning? Will I need a top in the afternoon to get through the washing machine loads?
    Very confused by the whole thing!
    Em
  • wallbash
    wallbash Posts: 17,775 Forumite
    We are a big family with showers in the morning, 2 or 3 loads of washing during the day, 1 or 2 dishwasher loads and the odd bath in the evening.

    With DH on this one :D leave it on .
  • Your washing machine will be cold fill if it's new enough.
    Signature on holiday for two weeks
  • andrew-b
    andrew-b Posts: 2,413 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    Firstly, a setting of 48C on the hot water cylinder thermostat is not hot enough to stop harmful bacteria (legionella) multiplying to a level that will cause health problems. It should be set to at least 60C. Have a read of this article which explains in more detail:
    http://www.iphe.org.uk/databyte/legionella.pdf

    With the timing of when to have the hot water come on.... a well insulated hot water tank will remain hot enough from the morning at least to early evening if it's not being used. The issue is keeping up with the periods of the day when there is a high demand for hot water for showers/baths. Our hot water is set to come on twice a day ..a few hours in morning and a few hours in the evening to catch up with when our demand for hot water is greatest (also set the central heating for the same times when we need it - few more weeks yet i hope!)...though it rarely on for all that time. Best thing is to experiment - if you keep running out of hot water then you need to modify your programmer.

    Andy
  • andrew-b wrote: »
    Firstly, a setting of 48C on the hot water cylinder thermostat is not hot enough to stop harmful bacteria (legionella) multiplying to a level that will cause health problems. It should be set to at least 60C. Have a read of this article which explains in more detail:
    http://www.iphe.org.uk/databyte/legionella.pdf
    Interesting.
    Or builder told us to set it to that to save money and to ensure our kids don't get accidently scalded.
    I guess we had better turn it up.
    Thanks,
    Em
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    You could probably save a wedge by doing some washing and dishwashing overnight. Economy 7, if you can get it, is over half price. If you're doing silly amounts of washing/dishes you could save a fair few pennies. You could also set the boiler to warm the water up overnight (which should last til the afternoon at least), and then you are only warming the tank at the higher rates once a day.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
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