Water storage heater help please

flutterbyuk25

Hey all

I have just moved into a flat which is a newish build (in last 5years). It does not have gas just electric (with day and night rates) and has a big water heater tank thingy in an airing cupboard.

As you can tell by my description of it I have never had one of these before as my parents properties have all had gas central heating.

Can anyone point me to a step by step guide for general use?

There is no manual, but there is a timer box which tells me how to set the timer. It has to have an AM and a PM timer set on it for timer to work. And it does not differenciate between weekday and weekend. And there is a Boost button.

I only really need hot water to have a shower in the mornings (max 10min shower) at approx 7.30am weekdays. On weekends the time will vary for a shower. For washing up I just tend to leave it til next morning and do it after my shower as I know there is hot water.

I need to know how long approx it takes for water to heat up to know how long to put timer on for in mornings. Plus the most cost effective way to use this as I'm aware this can be expensive.

I can get the make/model if needed but not til tomorrow as I'm in work at moment.

Thanks in advance!

x

Ebe_Scrooge

Without knowing the specifics ......

If you are on a tariff whereby you get cheaper electricity at night, then almost certainly it's going to be cheaper to set the timer to come on during the cheap-rate period. Assuming the tank is well-insulated ( I assume it is if it's fairly modern ), then the water will stay hot for quite a considerable time. This should give you plenty of hot water for showers & washing up in the morning.

As to how long it'll take to heat up, trial and error I'm afraid - depends to a large extent upon the capacity of your tank. Remember that you don't need to heat the entire tankful necessarily, so you may find that, say, 20 minutes gives you enough for what you need.

The "boost" button is usually just an override that'll put the heater on for 1/2 an hour or so if you find you've run out. This does differ from system to system, so you'll need to get hold of the manual to know for sure.

Electric heating is more expensive than gas. You may want to consider putting an electric shower in. This means that you'll barely need to heat your tankful of water at all, the shower will take a cold feed and heat what's needed as it goes, so you only heat what you need. If you do opt for this, I would definitely go for the highest rated shower you can find, ideally 10kW or higher. You'll probably need an electrician to fit this as it'll need it's own circuit breaker / fuse, and suitably rated wiring, but it may be worth considering to save money in the long run.

Hope this helps.

flutterbyuk25

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Without knowing the specifics ......

If you are on a tariff whereby you get cheaper electricity at night, then almost certainly it's going to be cheaper to set the timer to come on during the cheap-rate period. Assuming the tank is well-insulated ( I assume it is if it's fairly modern ), then the water will stay hot for quite a considerable time. This should give you plenty of hot water for showers & washing up in the morning.

As to how long it'll take to heat up, trial and error I'm afraid - depends to a large extent upon the capacity of your tank. Remember that you don't need to heat the entire tankful necessarily, so you may find that, say, 20 minutes gives you enough for what you need.

The "boost" button is usually just an override that'll put the heater on for 1/2 an hour or so if you find you've run out. This does differ from system to system, so you'll need to get hold of the manual to know for sure.

Electric heating is more expensive than gas. You may want to consider putting an electric shower in. This means that you'll barely need to heat your tankful of water at all, the shower will take a cold feed and heat what's needed as it goes, so you only heat what you need. If you do opt for this, I would definitely go for the highest rated shower you can find, ideally 10kW or higher. You'll probably need an electrician to fit this as it'll need it's own circuit breaker / fuse, and suitably rated wiring, but it may be worth considering to save money in the long run.

Hope this helps.

Many thanks for replying.

I forgot to mention that it is rented flat so cannot put in electric shower.

There is no visable insulation outside the tank.

I have experimented a bit and there is no hot water when the timer is off, unless I press the boost. But so far timer is only on max hour a day.

So if I put it on for longer at night should this store the hot water?

I'll get make/model and as much info as I can and re-post them tomorrow.

TIA

x

AdrianW2

A modern tank will keep the water warm for days. Just set it to come on for a couple of hours in the early hours of the morning (during your off-peak period) and forget about it. The thermostat will turn the heating off when the tank is up to temperature anyway.

Ebe_Scrooge

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

Many thanks for replying.



There is no visable insulation outside the tank.



x

I'd be very surprised if there is no insulation. Modern tanks tend to come "ready-coated" in a thick layer of foam - quite solid, not like the old fibreglass jackets you used to see. Can you see the actual metal the tank is made from, or is it just the foam you see ? If there really is no insulation then you need to get some on there pronto, you'll be wasting loads of heat / money. Just buy a tank jacket from B&Q or wherever.

flutterbyuk25

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

I'd be very surprised if there is no insulation. Modern tanks tend to come "ready-coated" in a thick layer of foam - quite solid, not like the old fibreglass jackets you used to see. Can you see the actual metal the tank is made from, or is it just the foam you see ? If there really is no insulation then you need to get some on there pronto, you'll be wasting loads of heat / money. Just buy a tank jacket from B&Q or wherever.

I had a look at the tank again last night, and to me it looks like just a metal tank. It is cream coloured and when I tap it it sounds metallic. It is a big cylindrical tank about 4foot high and looks like ones I vaguely remember from childhood, and then there is a smaller circular tank above that about 1foot high.

There were two labels on it. One saying "Reliance TPR15" and the other "Range tribune".

EDIT: I googled range tribune and found this image that looks like it:

http://www.inspiredheating.co.uk/acatalog/Range_Tribune_Unvented_Indirect_Cylinders.html


The timer box says "Pactrol = Micro 7 Plus = Water heating controller".

I have taken a picture of it but I can't upload it til end of week as I'm not connected to net at home yet and can't upload at work!

This probably makes no sense to anyone but you never know! :rotfl:

x

AdrianW2

If you follow the "For Product Information" links then it tells you you've got 50mm insulation and there's a nice table of reheat times (look in the direct table).

flutterbyuk25

Thanks to all who have replied to this thread. I think I've cracked it now after a few experiments!

I have timer set for 2.30am to 6am, and for half hour in evening. This provides plenty enough hot water then to shower and do dishes etc.

x

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I would cut the morning time to 4-6, and not bother with the evening, you should still have plenty of hot water, try it and see.

flutterbyuk25

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

I would cut the morning time to 4-6, and not bother with the evening, you should still have plenty of hot water, try it and see.

I am going to try to cut the am timings, but it must have a pm time set on the timer for it to work.

x

macman

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

I am going to try to cut the am timings, but it must have a pm time set on the timer for it to work.

x

Then just set the PM time to the minimum it will allow-1 minute, 1 hour?