Dimples storage heaters suddenly not working!!!

Skymonkey85

I have just moved into a new house about 3 weeks ago and the lounge has 2 Dimplex XLS storage heaters in it. They have been working absolutely fine, charging at night and letting heat out during the day. Then yesterday I discovered that both of them were stone cold! Woke up this morning and still stone cold! I find it hard to believe that they have both broken on the same day. We haven't covered them at all so they shouldn't have tripped out. Does anyone have any ideas?? As my house is currently very very cold!!

Also I am on Economy 7 tariff and my hot water is heated by electric. There are two switches next to the hot water tank. One says 'hot water' and one says 'economy'. Since we have moved in we have had both switches turned on and the water is very hot! There is enough to fill a bath before it starts running a bit cold so it's fine. However should I be keeping both switches 'on' permanently?? Or is one a boost or something?

Thanks for any help! I've always had GCH so I'm new to electric heating and hot water!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

strange that both heaters have gone at the same time, have you checked the fuse box to see if switch has tripped?

The water heater 'economy' will come on during your cheap rate, the 'hot water' will keep the water hot during the day using day rate electricity, and is usually used for a boost.

Edit: another thing could be if you have a mechanical time switch which has stopped on the day rate.

Skymonkey85

Yes I checked the fuse box and nothing has tripped. All still on as they were. Nothing has changed since they were last working. What is a mechanical time switch??

So could I just keep the 'economy' switch turned on and then only use the 'hot water' one when I need a bit more hot water during the day? Will keeping both on all the time cost me a lot??

Thanks for your help. I really need to get these heaters working again cos I don't fancy forking out for an electrician ����

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you may have this type of set up, the time switch is on the right and may have stuck on day rate, the little pointer at the bottom should be at the time now.



the economy will heat up on the cheap rate and give you a full tank of hot water in the morning, if you feel it needs a top up later in the day then use the boost, but this will be at the dearer rate.

Skymonkey85

Thank you for your help with the hot water I shall change it to that setting now.

With the meter it is not as you have shown. I have a digital meter (not sure how to attach a picture sorry!!) Should I take a reading of the night rate before bed and check again in the morning to make sure it is working?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

your immersion heater, fridge/freezer any standby will use something overnight, even if heaters don't charge, so no harm in taking a reading.

You should be able to check the time on you digital meter by scrolling through display.

Skymonkey85

OK so an update, had an electrician come out and he discovered that the RCD switch had tripped. Figured it was broken so we replaced it. Still no heat this morning and the RCD has tripped again. What could it be that is tripping the RCD? I also now have no hot water as everything that works under the night rate is not working.

What shall I try next? I can't afford to keep calling out an electrician but the problem is you can't even test these heaters to see if they are working until the next day once they have charged overnight :mad::mad:

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

bxboards

Skymonkey85 wrote: »

OK so an update, had an electrician come out and he discovered that the RCD switch had tripped. Figured it was broken so we replaced it. Still no heat this morning and the RCD has tripped again.

You are not using competent electricians.

You don't replace an RCD because it trips - this electrician appears to be doing no sort of fault finding or circuit or continuity testing. This person cannot be qualified.

Use someone else. This person is not an electrician, they are just pretending to be one.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is your water heater working on boost?

Before you call out your electrician again try eliminating the problem.

Switch off your heaters and water heater, then reset your RCD.

Your water heater was working before, so switch it on, see if it heats the water tonight or trips.

If ok in the morning then switch on one of the heaters, if ok next morning the switch on the other.

Process of elimination, will take you a few nights though.

Unless, you are still up when the switch over happens, so could check things out then.

Skymonkey85

Well the RCD switch was not tripping when the 'test' button was pressed so it appeared to be broken.

Thanks I will try eliminating each thing. May stay up until midnight tonight to try and see which thing is causing it to trip. My hot water does heat up on the 'day rate' boost so at least I have hot water. Just no heating!

J_B

bxboards wrote: »

You are not using competent electricians.

You don't replace an RCD because it trips - this electrician appears to be doing no sort of fault finding or circuit or continuity testing. This person cannot be qualified.

Use someone else. This person is not an electrician, they are just pretending to be one.

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