Buying Economy 7 Immersion heater

Weece

Hi all,

I would love some advice as I can't find the right help from the internet.

I need to replace my Economy 7 Immersion heater, I want another one as I have found it quite cost-effective but I don't know where to buy one and I'm not sure who should install it? Would it be an electrician? Also how much do Economy 7 Immersion heaters cost on average? How long would it take to replace/ how much should labour cost?

Any advice would be most helpful as I really am starting from zero knowledge.

Thanks in advance

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.


There is no such thing as an 'Economy 7 immersion heater'. An immersion heater simply works when electricity is connected. It works on either the 7 hours cheap rate electricity, or the 17 hours at peak rate.


There are several types of immersion heater see:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=immersion+heater+elements&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=42328689266&hvpos=1t6&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=15177682089638204672&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_559bfym2lw_b


This is what is involved:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpz7PbcSjdI

Richie-from-the-Boro

Weece wrote: »

Hi all,

I would love some advice as I can't find the right help from the internet.

I need to replace my Economy 7 Immersion heater, I want another one as I have found it quite cost-effective but I don't know where to buy one and I'm not sure who should install it? Would it be an electrician? Also how much do Economy 7 Immersion heaters cost on average? How long would it take to replace/ how much should labour cost?

Any advice would be most helpful as I really am starting from zero knowledge.

Thanks in advance

What's wrong with it ?

Pincher

It's a proper plumber job. You need to get a good water tight seal.


I got a 60 year old plumber, who had all the right tools, including a nifty pump that emptied the cylinder in double quick time. Alas, there was so much twisting and banging to release the elements, the cylinder developed a slow leak, ruined the ceiling downstairs, and the whole thing had to be replaced for £1,600.


Pray that it's just the thermostat, which is cheap as chips, and is easily accessible by removing the dome.


In hard water areas, it's worth getting the titanium elements, which last about three times as long.

Swipe

My plumber did mine with a special spanner after draining the cyclinder. The element cost approx £20 and it took him about 30 mins.

Cardew

Pincher wrote: »

Pray that it's just the thermostat, which is cheap as chips, and is easily accessible by removing the dome.

It is worth emphasising that point to the OP - most of the time if the heater is not working it is the thermostat and not the heater element - and changing the thermostat is easy. See:


http://www.diydata.com/problem/immersion/immersion_heaters.php

Swipe

Cardew wrote: »

It is worth emphasising that point to the OP - most of the time if the heater is not working it is the thermostat and not the heater element

Agreed. Most elements fail due to limescale damage which splits or cracks them. You'll know this as your circuit breaker will trip when the heater turns on.

AndyPK

I guess the op is after a dual element heater.

A short one to heat the top part of the tank as a top up when required.

A long/normal one run overnight to heat the whole cylinder on cheap elec.

They are difficult to find !

http://www.advancedwater.co.uk/header-032-255-DUALCOPPER.html

Longer life ones:
http://www.advancedwater.co.uk/header-032-255-DUALANTICORRO.html



Each has their own thermostat. Both won't fail at the same time.

Don't purchase one that is longer than your tank!
I think they only go about 3/4 of the way down the tank to give you an idea.

Need to choose between 27,30,36 inch

matelodave

Now you've totally confused him why not ask him to paste up a photo of his tank & element boss.


The last time we had one done (my Mum in 2010) it cost around £60 including both parts & labour from a local plumber.


If you can't confidently do it yourself then get a plumber in as it's very easy to split or tear the tank and you need a very large spanner to remove the old one and refit it.