Plumber said to leave boiler on all the time

mel19632

We recently had some plumbing work done and the plumber told me that it was cheaper to leave the hot water on all the time (as opposed to the timer) as it was cheaper. Is this true? We don't use much hot water - only really showers in the morning, a bit of washing up in evening and odd showers in evening as well.

Any ideas?

Thanks

allan673

i cant see it to be honest with you. you probably only need to have the water on for say an hour or so each day.
is your shower electric? with its own cold supply?

1carminestocky

My mate's an electrician and his leccy bills are truly horrendously large (more than mine FGS). Taking consumption advice from a plumber is akin to taking advice on lovemaking from a gynecologist.

Pssst

Did he offer to pay your gas bill as well?

mel19632

Shower is not electric - but I also thought that he was probably wrong. Just wanted to check that I wasn't missing something! I have left the gas on timer and will just carry on doing so. Thanks for help all.

Cardew

You presumably have a Hot water tank? i.e. not a combi?

This subject has been covered many many times and it is without doubt cheaper to have hot water on a timer. That said, with a well lagged tank, the losses are not great - 2kWh to 3kWh a day - and in the winter the heat is not 'lost' as they warm the house.

mel19632

Yes its a hot water tank. To be honest i'm not sure how well its lagged, but I just wanted to see if the plumber was right or not!

Thanks

ariba10

It is not cheaper to leave it on all the time.

It would be the equivalent of leaving a kettle on a low gas all day to make tea occasionally.

Robert2009

Why don't you read your gas meter at the same time every day for a few days while you are doing what you are doing at present with the hot water. Work out what you are using. Repeat the experiment with your hot water on all the time. Compare the results. Whatever method gives the lowest consumption is the cheapest.
Rob

mel19632

Good idea - I will try that!