Economy 7 Heating/Hot Water

mattkyle

Hi guys,

I have just moved into an apartment in a big block of flats, fully powered by electric heaters with an E7 immersion heater.

Heating system: Orion 512 control, 2 x Nobo heaters.
Immersion Heater: Two switches above one and other.

After much reading and trial and error, I've managed to get the heating work fine using the Orion 512 to control the whole system (it took around 4 days!). I initially believed this system controlled the hot water also, but it would appear I was wrong.

The immersion heater has two switches, top one turns on and starts boiling the water on demand (Boost?). The 2nd switch below appears to do nothing (Off peak?). I assumed it was wired into the meter and due to come on during off peak times. I confirmed with EDF that my off peak times are 00:00 - 7:00. I was up until 00:30 last night and still no response from the switch (it has a light above it that will not come on and the heater shows no movement. I consequently have two questions:

1) If I use boost over night, will this still be charged at night/off-peak rate?
2) There is a Orion RSX512 receiver next to the fusebox, could this be controlling the off-peak switch? (It certainly does not control the "boost" switch. This receiver is set to zone 1 and it receives the signals fine (moves between comfort (red) and economy (green) from the control system settings and does not turn the boost switch on/off in accordance with the programme)

Appreciate any help as this is all new to me.

Thanks,

Matt

CashStrapped

1) Depends how the boost is wired in as to whether it will work at all during cheap rate hours. The boost will only heat a small proportion of the tank as it is a smaller element. An easy way to test is turn the boost on and see which meter takes the reading during off peak hours.

2) The larger off peek (cheap rate) element (which goes in at the bottom of the tank) may not be working as the element itself has failed. This will need to be replaced.

Are your storage heaters are charging correctly during off peak hours? Do you get heat from them the next day? If so the switch seems to be working fine. This further suggests it is the element on the hot water tank that has failed

Are you renting? If so, inform the landlord the electrics are not working as expected and the tank is not heating. Do not try to problem solve yourself. It is not your responsibility. Get an electrician round (through the landlord) and get them to give the whole system a once over.

mattkyle

Hi CashStrapped, thanks for the quick reply.

The boost does physically come on during off peak hours yes, would it be safe to assume this will be getting billed at off peak, surely the time switch on the meter should manage that for other appliances as well as immersion heater? I want to check the meter but it's locked away, only the caretaker has access and he isn't available at night, although he is first thing which is an option.

I have the electrician coming later this week as you've suggested, my landlord has arranged for this, so fingers crossed they find the problem.

CashStrapped

Any electricity used during off peak hours will be charged at the off peak rate, as long as the switch is working correctly.

Cardew

Heating system: Orion 512 control, 2 x Nobo heaters.

CashStrapped wrote: »

2) The larger off peek (cheap rate) element (which goes in at the bottom of the tank) may not be working as the element itself has failed. This will need to be replaced.

Are your storage heaters are charging correctly during off peak hours? Do you get heat from them the next day? If so the switch seems to be working fine. This further suggests it is the element on the hot water tank that has failed

I thought that all Nobo heaters were panel heaters not storage heaters - albeit Creda do make storage heaters.

I also looks like the Orion 512 control is to bring on lights/heaters etc.

So are the Nobo heaters actually storage heaters? and indeed are you on an Economy 7 tariff?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Orion controller here, nobo panel heaters here the RSX512 is a receiver and is usually in or near to the fusebox / CU's its job is in the pdf I referred you to. according to the O/P there is no stored heat or water only two panels.

CashStrapped

Good spot Cardew.

If that is the case, the O/P needs to clarify if they are on an E7 tariff.

If you look on your bill, do you have two tariff rates?

They then need to clarify if it is stored hot water. Is there a tank at all?

If the majority of your electric heating is on demand, and you use most of your electric during the day, then an E7 tariff may not be the most cost effective for you at all.

Cardew

CashStrapped wrote: »

Good spot Cardew.

If that is the case, the O/P needs to clarify if they are on an E7 tariff.

If you look on your bill, do you have two tariff rates?

They then need to clarify if it is stored hot water. Is there a tank at all?

If the majority of your electric heating is on demand, and you use most of your electric during the day, then an E7 tariff may not be the most cost effective for you at all.

Having just moved it the OP won't have had a bill, but he needs to find out if he is on an E7 tariff from EDF.