Don't understand a timer in my flat!

ConfusedChap

Hi all,

I hope someone can help me. I'm in a modern one bed flat with economy7 (Southern Electric). I moved in about a month ago but there's one thing that puzzles me. I do have a photo but as a new user I can't post a picture directly - however, if you go to tiny url dot com and forward slash then 3xp2ce4 you can see it.

It's fitted in my wardrobe and is above (and directly linked to) the fuse box. It also clicks a little (the sound of it rotating I suppose). What is it, do I need to do anything to it? I've inspected the plans but nothing gives any insight into what it is, just that it's there! On the outside there are yellow 'pins' that can be pulled out (to set start and finish times, I suppose?).

Is it for the heating, maybe? I obviously don't need that at the moment. Should the switch next to it be set to 'I' or the timer sign? Basically, I don't want it costing me money unnecessarily.

Oh, and in a month I've accrued 249 day units and 73 night units, costing around £42 (£10 more than Southern's estimate/Direct Debit). I'm only really heating water overnight, so does that sound about right?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

hope you don't mind, I've added your picture, may help others to give you some advice.



Looks to me like a timer for your immersion heater, can you trace wires back to tank?

Anyway, if it is, the small triangle at bottom is the actual time, twist dial round to set this,

the little control on right hand side is for timer, (clock) or boost (I),

the pins are to set the timer, you would want this to come on during your cheap rate,

your day rate seems high, looks as though it is set to be on constantly, though will be thermostatically controlled, try switching it to timer and setting it to come on for a couple of hours about 5 in the morning when you should still be on cheap rate,

and take a meter reading daily to compare usage.

spiro

If that is the type of timer you need to check that the time on the meter is correct. Also the time the curcuit is on is determine by the 2 'segments' that are pulled out and therefore trip the switch. Check how far apart they are.

ConfusedChap

Thanks guys. I'm not sure if it is for the immersion though as there's a separate timer in the airing cupboard (see tiny url dot com then forward slash 327ldyd

I agree that £42/month seems a bit steep, when I am really quite careful about electricity (things turned off at the plug when not used, energy saving lightbulbs etc). That's what makes me wonder if this has something to do with the storage heaters? They're all switched off at the wall though.

The guy who lived in this flat before me seemed to like to fiddle with stuff a lot! This timer was set to 'I' (which, like you guys, I take to mean 'always on') and the time was set wrong, as was the time in the airing cupboard switch.

Oh, and I don't have easy access to the meter (have to request a reading from the concierge) so it is difficult to check daily.

dave461_2

I'd guess that the 1st timer is the old water heater timer and thats why it's set to always on.
The one in your airing cupboard is a horstmann, here's the user guide http://www.horstmann.co.uk/downloads/ElectronicDocuments/Electric-Water-Heating/E7Q-UserGuide.PDF and installation guide (to change the off peak times) http://www.horstmann.co.uk/downloads/ElectronicDocuments/Electric-Water-Heating/E7Q-InstallationInstructions.pdf
As long as the time is correct and it's set to timed it should only heat the water in economy 7 hours (there's not much adjustment for on and off times on mine).
Don't know why your usage is so high though, may be worth lending / buying an energy monitor.
Only thing i can think of is an electric shower and lots of oven use.

ConfusedChap

Thanks guys. There's no electric shower and the oven isn't even used once a day (to my shame). I have set it to 'timer' now, and pushed all the pins in (there were some out before I took that photo) so it should never be 'on', whatever it is. If I suddenly get no hot water then I'll know why! I actually think the hot water tank is set wrong - at the moment it runs from 3.30 to 8.30, which I think is too late for economy 7. I've emailed Southern Electric to ask what times the tariff operates.

Got a meter reading today, and it's just as high as my bill, if not slightly higher. Will get another reading in a week or so. The problem is that we don't have access to our meters, we have to get the concierge to do it, and it's not in my interests to keep annoying them.

I may be back in about a week, then...!

(PS - I am currently home in the day, so I'm guessing this may make a difference, too)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is the switch with the red led for water heater?



Here's a bit of reading on times.

torbrex

ConfusedChap wrote: »

Got a meter reading today, and it's just as high as my bill, if not slightly higher. Will get another reading in a week or so. The problem is that we don't have access to our meters, we have to get the concierge to do it, and it's not in my interests to keep annoying them.

Dont ever be afraid to ask the concierge for meter readings, just explain to him that you want to moniter your usage regularly and if you ask him the right way, he may even do it for you and pass the reading on
These guys have a boring job and might welcome the change in routine.

ConfusedChap

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

is the switch with the red led for water heater?

It seems to be the power switch for the timer, as if it's turned off then the light indicating that the boiler is on at 3.30-8.30am doesn't come on. Perhaps I'll turn it off one night just to be sure.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

yes that's what it looks like, makes me think now that timer in first picture is maybe not wired/working/needed, does the time dial on it keep time?