Replace Storage Heaters

orkneyviking

My actions:

1. Alu-foil external heaters (cost £10's)

2. Get quotes for cavity and underfloor insulation (cost £100's)

3. Get quotes for replacing draughty windows and frames (cost £1000's)

4. Clarify whether my hot water tank is being heated by the immersion or the cheaper rated element

5. Confirm that my meter has radio teleswitch

6. Decide on best heating system:

a) Upgrade storage heaters (looks unlikely to pay back)

b) Replace storage heaters with convector heaters (as only need heat in evening)

c) Add an air to air source heat pump in the loft?

d) Change to a stored water and rads system (expensive)


Any advice on the above is welcome..


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In response to suggestions for a open fire - I don't currently have one in the property, so the new build costs would be prohibative.


Is the top heating element on a water storage tank usually the immersion?

If I was to switch them around (as we do not use much hot water) could I do this myself or do I ask an electrician?
- I have no DIY knowledge

snafu_2

An immersion heater is an electric element contained in a watertight tube, which is then looped or folded gently a couple of times to make it compact. They generally have a second sealed tube in them into which a rod thermostat is inserted. This is set to about 60C by isolating the electricity FIRST, removing the heater cap, and twiddling the thermostat dial with a screwdriver. Set more than 60C may increase hard water scale, and will increase the risk of scalds.

Economy 7 hot water tanks often have two immersion heaters. The lower of the two heats a full tank, the top one heats only the upper.

Where teleswitches or other tarrif controls are present, the lower immersion heater is often connected to the off-peak circuit only, the upper can be swtiched on by the consumer for a 'top-up'. Often, people change the wiring over to suit their needs. Often, the installers get the wires mixed up.

If you have no DIY knowledge, fiddling with electricity can lead to funny hair, :eek:or sometimes, premature death, Neither will save you any money. Funerals are expensive.:A

If you switch the wires, you'll only get half a tank of 'cheap' hot water.

If you insulate the tank properly, especially around the top, by adding a second hot water tank jacket, or even wrappping a duvet around the tank, you'll reduce heat loss, and maybe keep the tank warm for up to 24 hours. That's about the cheapest energy saving trick in the book, and it works.

hild_2

hello
i have storage heaters (2 bed house) which i no longer use due to the cost. I have also turned both switches off today on my emersion heater due to my bill. I dont know which switch (the one at the top which says water heater) or the one at the bottom which says nothing is for! I am thinking if i switch them both off and just turn the top one on which says water heater a few hours before i want a bath this may be saving money.
I have absolutely no idea what i am doing, all i know is i cant afford the bill.
Does anyone have any easy suggestions. I do have economy 7. There is a timer attached to the wall on the top switch but i dont know how to use it.

hild_2

hello
i also thought there should be a thermostat that i can read which should tell me the temperature but there is not one that i can see?