Economy 7 hot water mis-wired?

pixeltrasher

Hi everyone! I have just moved into a flat which is fully electric. Storage heaters all behave as expected (only powering up at night) but I have an issue with the way the hot water tank is set up: Basically the hot water tank is set up with two heating elements which is standard for economy 7, the main element at the bottom is meant to heat up the full tank and is usually wired so that it only goes on at night when there is cheaper electricity available for economy 7 tariffs. There is then another element which is higher up and is meant for top ups through the day at a higher electricity cost. In my flat the top up element is wired to go on overnight instead, meaning that I can’t heat the full tank of water at the cheap rate, only the top part. I’ve never heard of this issue before, is there ever a reason to wire it like that?

Richie-from-the-Boro

pixeltrasher wrote: »

Hi everyone! I have just moved into a flat which is fully electric. Storage heaters all behave as expected (only powering up at night) but I have an issue with the way the hot water tank is set up: Basically the hot water tank is set up with two heating elements which is standard for economy 7, the main element at the bottom is meant to heat up the full tank and is usually wired so that it only goes on at night when there is cheaper electricity available for economy 7 tariffs. There is then another element which is higher up and is meant for top ups through the day at a higher electricity cost. In my flat the top up element is wired to go on overnight instead, meaning that I can’t heat the full tank of water at the cheap rate, only the top part. I’ve never heard of this issue before, is there ever a reason to wire it like that?

I've seen and done it before. Bottom element goes kaput, in this case I get one on order and swap wiring over temporary to provide 'sinks' of hot water. You will be on he most expensive default tariff they can put you on so get the account in your name and get the best E7 tariff and discounts for your area code.

You or whoever needs to check the wiring in the tank cupboard is bodged in the way I said and correct it then test the element itself. Best of luck.

HampshireH

Id get an electrician out to resolve.

pixeltrasher

Thanks! I know both elements work but perhaps they were swappers during a previous repair and then never swapped back. Must get quotes from electrician to fix then I suppose?

pixeltrasher

HampshireH wrote: »

Id get an electrician out to resolve.

do I just ask them to quote me to swap the wiring over for the elements basically?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Ask to check and make good.

Swapping if one is not broken makes no sense. Tell the spark bottom [7 hours and bath fulls] and top gives just 1 hour and sink fulls and you want it done right, I've never used the top element ever and I've had it since '82, best of luck.

jk0

It's easy enough to do yourself. Just open the controller and swap the wires that go the the immersions, surely?

pixeltrasher

jk0 wrote: »

It's easy enough to do yourself. Just open the controller and swap the wires that go the the immersions, surely?

that would be my preferred solution just not sure if that can be done and where to find instructions? Will have to see if anyone with some experience of electrical work can give me a hand.

pixeltrasher

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Ask to check and make good.

Swapping if one is not broken makes no sense. Tell the spark bottom [7 hours and bath fulls] and top gives just 1 hour and sink fulls and you want it done right, I've never used the top element ever and I've had it since '82, best of luck.

thanks, just to clarify I didn’t mean swapping elements or anything else out for a replacement, just swapping around the actual cables.

Richie-from-the-Boro

pixeltrasher wrote: »

thanks, just to clarify I didn’t mean swapping elements or anything else out for a replacement, just swapping around the actual cables.

What I meant was no one would have any other reason to swap in the first place unless the controller / stat / element was gone.

Your starting point is to find exactly which controller you have.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Wiring diagrams can be had from manufacturers site.