Really confused by boiler and water tank!

moreofthegoodstuff

Had a big electricity bill and I think it's due to the way I've been managing my immersion tank. There are two switches next to it and I had them both on.. One has a red light on it.

I have turned the red light switch off and now I'm guessing the hot water is powered by the boiler and not electricty? Except this doesn't make the boiler power on?!

Also to get the central heating to work the thermostat on the wall doesn't seem to work and we have to switch another switch in the airing cupboard to constant... Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong? I'm confused as to why the boiler light is nearly always off as well! Even when the heatings on constant it powers itself on and off.

There's noone that can help me and its my first house so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Own_My_Own

Do you rent or have you bought the property ?

moreofthegoodstuff

Bought the property. I will be doing a boiler care plan with British gas so they can explain how it all works but I can't do this for a month as I need a day off in the week for them to do the gas safety check.

Own_My_Own

I am no expert and and am getting confused. I am trying to remember what our old system was like. It was different to yours as we had a back boiler.( one behind our fire)

Firstly is you water really hot ? Too hot ?

Ectophile

You're going to need someone to explain the controls to you.

It sounds like your system may be similar to mine. If it is, then:

• There is a gas boiler that can run the central heating and heat the water in the tank.
• There's a separate electric immersion heater that can also heat the tank.

If you use the immersion heater to heat the tank, then the boiler won't need to. For most people, gas is cheaper than electricity, so it's better to use the gas and only use the immersion as a backup.


It's perfectly normal for the boiler to go off and on when running the heating. It will be on a thermostat. Once the system is hot enough, the boiler will turn off for a while.

moreofthegoodstuff

Do I need to set the timer because the other switch (with no red light) is connected to an old fashioned timer? Or will it just automatically heat up the water from the boiler without needing a timer?

I'd say the water is very hot when the red switch is on.

Retro_Bunny

Might be worth asking a plumber / central heating fitter to quote for a change over to a better control system - maybe a wireless programmable thermostat to replace the current arrangement (I've got one and they are good).

As a bonus the quoter may also explain what you currently have for free?

southcoastrgi

pics pics pics, of the controls that you are talking about

gardner1

if you had the immersion heater on all the time your electric bill will be :eek:

moreofthegoodstuff

£40 for 3 weeks! Not great!! I was shocked...never went over £25 in the old house each month so I knew something wasn't quite right.

I wish I had a bit more of a clue about plumbing but I've always lived in newer properties and with generally with parents or a landlord to help!!

Own_My_Own

I would agree with southcoastrgi, some pictures word help.