Hot water immersion - short bursts or 24 hours?

winelight

On the same subject, I have a very modern hot water cylinder and touching the jacket you can't even tell that there is hot water inside (although of course there will still be some loss, and through the pipes). However it is large, and in my current circumstances the only hot water I use is a shower twice a day (I know, I would have been better off with one of this little thingies but it's too late now), and a bit of washing up (but not much, I have a cold-fill dishwasher).

Am I right in thinking that the best thing to do is:

a) Use the "boost" element at the top of the cylinder so as to only heat the water at the top
b) Put it on a timer for perhaps 30 minutes a day, some time before I take the shower?

jalexa

winelight wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that the best thing to do is:...

*If* you are on E7, and the main element is heated only by cheap night rate, than probably the "best" (cheapest?) thing is to fully heat overnight and never use the boost during the day unless it is required.

The 2kWhr or so "lost" by the cylinder per day usefully warms the drying cupboard and the house 24/7 at effectively night rate.

Richie-from-the-Boro

jalexa wrote: »

*If* you are on E7, and the main element is heated only by cheap night rate, than probably the "best" (cheapest?) thing is to fully heat overnight and never use the boost during the day unless it is required.

The 2kWhr or so "lost" by the cylinder per day usefully warms the drying cupboard and the house 24/7 at effectively night rate.

If its PartL E7 lagging I agree see #20 & #32 for the reasons why !

winelight

Thanks for the replies but I don't think E7 is the best option for me because this is the only thing that would be on at night, apart from the fridge, and as my heating is electric (not storage), the tiniest improvement in what I pay for the peak day rate will offset any other consideration. And I can't run the washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer at night because the property is too small and I would hear them.

jalexa

winelight wrote: »

Thanks for the replies but I don't think E7 is the best option for me

In that case the potential savings are piffling compared with your electric space heating costs. Less than 2kWhrs/day depending on the standard of cylinder insulation and the average tank temperature achieved with boost only.

Up to you really. Remember during the heating season the cylinder losses are not wasted particularly if you value a little warmth in the cupboard.

winelight

jalexa wrote: »

In that case the potential savings are piffling compared with your electric space heating costs.

Thanks- rather what I was thinking. Actually, pretty much everything else I spend in a year is piffling compared to space heating costs! Well not at the moment, it's such a mild day the heating has been off since 8.

Still, other savings are worth having. They add up.

ianpwilliams

I started a full-time job, which meant considerably more hot water immersion usage, and yet my meter reading increase has stayed the same, which is a surprise. So now I'm debating either having the immersion on all the time, or maybe having it on overnight before each work day, to avoid having to wait an hour every morning for enough hot water for a bath.

HappyMJ

ianpwilliams wrote: »

I started a full-time job, which meant considerably more hot water immersion usage, and yet my meter reading increase has stayed the same, which is a surprise. So now I'm debating either having the immersion on all the time, or maybe having it on overnight before each work day, to avoid having to wait an hour every morning for enough hot water for a bath.

Leave the main immersion on 24/7 and set to about 65 degrees...If connected to the E7 circuit properly it'll only heat in the E7 night hours.

Turn the thermostat in the top immersion down to 50 degrees (screwdriver required to take top off and change setting) and leave it on 24/7. If you use all the hot water in the cylinder the immersion will come on and give you just enough water for hand washing. If you never run out of hot water it will not come on as the cylinder is well insulated and not drop below 50 degrees. It won't cost much.

ianpwilliams

I don't have E7, and I'm reluctant to mess around with thermostats. I'm going to try a week or a month of hot water overnight and see how the meter readings compare.

HappyMJ

ianpwilliams wrote: »

I don't have E7, and I'm reluctant to mess around with thermostats. I'm going to try a week or a month of hot water overnight and see how the meter readings compare.

If you don't have E7 then just leave it on 24/7. The thermostat will stop it from overheating and you will always have hot water. It will cost you a few pennies more per day over timed.