Stuck in a flat with expensive immersion water heater AND pump, help!

monkikita

I recently moved to the UK with a secure full time job, and my spouse will join me soon. Mine will be the main income for some months, so we will be tight on money, and need to save as much as possible.

Unfortunately, I didn't know I rented I flat which doesn't heat water through the gas boiler. Instead, it has a water tank with an immersion heater. Additionally, it's a top floor conversion flat with no water pressure so I need to use a pump to get the hot water flowing in the shower. I'm terribly worried that my electric bill will be huge because I don't know how to efficiently use the heater and pump.

Any help and advice I can get to lower the bill as much as possible will be really appreciated.

Here are the elements:

1. Cold water is stored in a small cistern (18L)
2. Hot water tank has a capacity of 117L
3. When I open a hot water faucet, water from the cistern flows to the hot water tank.
4. The immersion heater doesn't have a thermostat. I am the only one in the flat so I have only been turning it on for about 40 minutes a day.
5. The water pump is used to get the hot water to flow to the shower head. It's a small pump of 245W, also states "Rated 15 mins. on 60 mins. off

As extra details, I'll be paying the electric bill quarterly, directly to the letting agent. He reads the meter, gives the number to the building owner, who then tells the agent how much we have to pay. This isn't something I like, but agent seems reticent about changing it.

I really don't have an idea on how to coordinate all the elements to efficiently use hot water. How long should I leave the immersion heater on? Should I leave it on while I use hot water and the pump or not? How long should I use the pump for? Drowning in the cold waters of stress and doubt, please help!

PS. I have an Imgur album with images of all the elements, if this would be useful for any of you to help me out.
Many thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

I doubt that your immersion heater has no thermostat, the water would become scalding hot if it was left on. Thermostats are usually to be found under the immersion heater cap.

Your hot water bill is determined primarily by the amount of water you use, and the amount of lagging on the tank, not the time the heater is on for. When you switch the heater off the hot tank is still losing the heat that you've paid for, heat which has to be replaced when the heater switches back on. The saving from switching off only becomes significant if it's off long enough to go completely cold, and if your tank is going that cold in a few hours it's a sign that the lagging is insufficient.

AndyPK

I think your 40 mins is about right. You could try 30 mins.

Try having the shower after the 30 mins and immersion off.

No point heating the water while showering if your straight off to work.

How do you pay for your gas heating then ?

footyguy

As jack_pott says, I doubt your immersion has no adjustable thermostat.

I would suggest getting yourself on an E7 tariff if not already (check with landlord if that means a new meter) and then heating up the tank during the cheap rate - should take about a couple of hours if completely cold (so about 30p at cheap rate :beer:), so think about a timer too.

monkikita

AndyPK wrote: »

I think your 40 mins is about right. You could try 30 mins.

Try having the shower after the 30 mins and immersion off.

No point heating the water while showering if your straight off to work.

How do you pay for your gas heating then ?

I have a separate gas bill. Just central heating and cooker hubs use the gas, so I'm hoping that bill will balance out the electric. Although the CH doesn't have a thermostat and I have single-glaze windows. Some DYI window insulation will go down this weekend.

Oh, I'm with Southern Electric, any recommendations?

monkikita

Thanks for pointing that out jack_pott, I'll look for the thermostat.

The tank is located in a small room between the bathroom and living room, there are double doors and the tank has an insulation jacket. Last night (9pm) I used the immersion heater for 40 minutes. Had a 10-12 minute shower, used hot water to wash some clothes (manually) and closed both doors. This morning I still had lukewarm water. I suppose that's a good sign?