High electric usage - immersion heater?

ssm90

Afternoon All,

I need some help with my immersion heater please- I think I may just be being stupid.

I've moved int a new flat as of 2 months ago, and everything is electric based so there's no gas. I have just worked out that my usage over the last 2 months averages just over 9 units a day. From what I can see the average usage in the UK is 9 units/day, however, I live on my own and spend most of my time outside of the flat for work so this seems quite high. In fact, the energy company themselves think my meter reading is way higher than they predicted.

I think the problem is with my immersion heater. I've never had to use one before and no one, including the management company are able to provide me help with how it works and so i end up leaving the switch on all night for a hot shower in the morning and switch it off in the day.

Can someone please explain how it works? I think I'm just being an idiot.

Basically, there are 3 switches. 1 is in the kitchen, labelled immersion heater, along with other switches for the hob, fridge, washing machine etc. Then there are 2 more switches in the boiler cupboard where the heater is, these switches are labelled 'Off-Peak' and 'On-Peak'. What does this mean? Do I need to have all 3 switches on? Or does the main switch in the kitchen need to be on for the other two 2 be working or is the main switch just a booster? Are the on-peak and off-peak different charges? Surely it cant be to do with electricity prices because why would they be a switch? :S

Thanks in advance!

AndyPK

try turning them all off apart from the off peak one.

The other two are probably top up switches, should you find yourself lacking hot water in the evening.

Are you on economy 7 ?


p.s pictures always help

ssm90

Apologies, please see below for images
https://ibb.co/i5ex6e
https://ibb.co/cnL4me

I am also on Economy 7.

Do you know what the difference between the two top up switches are? The way they're set up seems very illogical.

AndyPK

Usually the off peak turns on the bottom/large immersion heater to heat the whole tank up overnight on the cheap 7 hours.

If you run out of hot water in the evening, you can turn on other switches to activate a smaller heater at the top of the tank which uses peak time electricity.

The 2 topup switches are for convince, so you can turn one on before washing up. The visible light is also a good reminder that you have left it on.

ssm90

Perfect thanks for that Andy. That leaves me with just one question, if Off-Peak only works during off peak ours, i.e. night time then its best left on for that and the On-peak only works during the day time as a booster. What is the purpose of the Immersion Heater switch is wonder? Does it provide a secondary level of boost on top of the on-peak?

AndyPK

I would guess the kitchen switch does the same as the on peak switch.

If you turn the on peak switch on in the cupboard, does the kitchen red light come on ?

Basically try leaving off peak down all the time. And see if the usage reduces over a week

jk0

Is there possibly another immersion heater in the kitchen? Maybe one just for the sink? It might even be a dummy switch.

ssm90

AndyPK wrote: »

I would guess the kitchen switch does the same as the on peak switch.

If you turn the on peak switch on in the cupboard, does the kitchen red light come on ?

Basically try leaving off peak down all the time. And see if the usage reduces over a week

The red light in the kitchen doesnt come on if the OnPeak is switched on. However, the red light on the On Peak doesn't come on either- so thats got me thinking if the On Peak even works.

Okay, so basically don't turn on the Immersion Heater switch in the kitchen and just use the Off-peak for a week to see if the rate reduces?

jk0 wrote: »

Is there possibly another immersion heater in the kitchen? Maybe one just for the sink? It might even be a dummy switch.

That's a good point, I had a closer look and theres definitely no smaller immersion heater for the sink. If it is a dummy switch, thats very annoying! I wonder if the On-peak switch in the cupboard is a dummy one or if they both have the same function. Think I may have to trial and error it.

Norman_Castle

Is the immersion switch in the kitchen simply a more convenient on peak switch? Does switching it affect if the on peak switch lights up?

macman

Basics: OP, you need to tell us if you are on an E7 tariff or not. The set up has clearly been designed for a dual rate tariff, but that should not be taken for granted.
Secondly, how is the property heated? Again, it is normal to use NSH's with E7, but is that what you have installed?
If you are not on E7, then juggling the timings will make zero difference.

Rosabear

OP has said they are on Economy 7.