Choice of intelligent switches ?

sly_dog_jonah

Our immersun clocked up 9.7kWh today, only a couple of months after the winter solstice. Winter performance hasn't been anything to write home about (291kWh since Late Sept). Quantifying the savings is hard since our central heating is gas so usage varies with temperature and whether the house is occupied during the day. With my missus on maternity leave our heating has been on more during the day (and night).

Having said that, I'm sure it will come into its own in the next few weeks.

ViksB

Does anyone use these systems to heat an electric heater as well as the immersion?
They systems talk about having this option, but I am assuming to do this you would need to have the electric heater on its own circut with dedicated fuse? Is this correct and also would any electric heater work?
Ideally we would like to heat up the kitchen with a panel heater (obviously only in winter) but this would be a better use of the electricity than heating the water, which would happen anyway when the main heating comes on in the evening, but it will be a struggle if it required a dedicated circuit and fuse.
Thanks

Martyn1981

ViksB wrote: »

Does anyone use these systems to heat an electric heater as well as the immersion?
They systems talk about having this option, but I am assuming to do this you would need to have the electric heater on its own circut with dedicated fuse? Is this correct and also would any electric heater work?
Ideally we would like to heat up the kitchen with a panel heater (obviously only in winter) but this would be a better use of the electricity than heating the water, which would happen anyway when the main heating comes on in the evening, but it will be a struggle if it required a dedicated circuit and fuse.
Thanks

Just some thoughts, from what I've learn't on this site and others, the short answers are yes and yes. Can run two items (one at a time), will need a dedicated (additional) circuit to the heater.

Try contacting the manufacturer for more info. One thread I read mentioned that the software has now been updated to assist with running a second circuit, when the first is 'full'. What I mean is, if the primary is the immersion, then when the water is fully heated, the immersun can divert the power to a second item, such as a heater, but before the update, the immersun would wait several minutes, and would re-check quite often, so little got diverted. You'll need to check what the times are now.

If you've got the heater as primary and the water as secondary, then probably worth checking how this will operate in the summer, presumably the heater will be permanently off, but how much time will be spent re-checking this, rather than diverting leccy to the water?

Can't help thinking that with lower generation during 'heating times' and less excess for diversion, that heating water as the primary might be better. Also if you add a bit of heat to the house, will you be there at those times, otherwise it might be lost.

Mart.

EricMears

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Also if you add a bit of heat to the house, will you be there at those times, otherwise it might be lost.

Mart.

Providing the power used is actually free, it really doesn't matter (for the short term personal economic benefit - the 'save the planet brigade' would take a different view) whether you're at home to feel the warmth or not. Some of it will remain in the fabric of the building to reduce the heat required when you next really need it.

Martyn1981

EricMears wrote: »

Providing the power used is actually free, it really doesn't matter (for the short term personal economic benefit - the 'save the planet brigade' would take a different view) whether you're at home to feel the warmth or not. Some of it will remain in the fabric of the building to reduce the heat required when you next really need it.

But won't the losses from heating a house when people are out (assuming of course they are out, as I may have created a red herring) dwarf the losses from a good hot water tank? At least that is where I was coming from, no idea if it is significant or not. Plus the losses from the tank would first warm the house before ...... ok this is getting a bit silly now, sorry!

Mart.

ViksB

Yes people are in the house during the day.
I am glad I was correct about the dedicated fuse and circuit. Seems unlikely to happy because of this.
Still worth a thought. I would have made quite a difference on this sunny but cold and very windy day.

Just found these
http://www.diykyoto.com/uk/aboutus/optiplug
They still wouldn't work for me, but they are getting closer.

ViksB

Has anyone tried the new cheaper immersun copy solarimmersion.co.uk ?
Was hoping to buy it later this week.

[Deleted User]

ViksB wrote: »

Has anyone tried the new cheaper immersun copy solarimmersion.co.uk ?
Was hoping to buy it later this week.

Unfortunately the half finished website and dismal warranty do not inspire confidence. Almost cheap enough to take a punt tho...

Martyn1981

ViksB wrote: »

Has anyone tried the new cheaper immersun copy solarimmersion.co.uk ?
Was hoping to buy it later this week.

There is some discussion about it, and 'trying' to get it, here:

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19242.0.html

Might be a case of watch and learn at the moment, until more feedback is available.

Mart.

Mister_G

Hi Everyone

I've just bought the Solarimmersion MkIII. Ordered from their website on Wednesday and it arrived by courier on Friday. Price £250.

Installed it yesterday (I am an electrician with part P), but as my PV (3kW) is currently only generating 200W, no chance to try it out yet. It seems to work!

I've read this thread with interest and the Immersun does seem overpriced, now that these other models have become available.

I live in a rural area with LPG heating and an old 65% efficient (but supremely reliable) boiler, which usually heats our water. I therefore reckon that my 'pay back period' should be quite a bit less than those people with 90% boliers on mains gas.

I'll let you know, once the sun starts to shine again!