How to best use economy 7 water systems please?

rosamy52

Hi all,

I've recently moved in to a flat which is all electricity based with night storage heaters, no gas etc. I'm a bit confused as to how the water heating system works and would value some advice please as to how best to use it and what's the most economical.

So there are two tanks in the airing cupboard, one small one (a booster one I think?) and one big one (main one?), with two on/off switches at the wall. It's probably really daft but I'm not sure which switch is for which tank. I've tried to follow the lines and wiring but as half or more of or it is hidden behind the tanks it's a little difficult. 😕 Any other way to tell or do I just need to have another, better, look at it?

Other questions
- If the wall switch, once I've worked out which one is which, for the main tank is left on does it automatically heat up at night when the electricity is cheaper?
- Is the little tank just for a boost during the day?
- What's the most economical way of running/using this kind of set up?
- Additionally I have a bathroom radiator/heated towel rail thing in the bathroom which comes on at night automatically. There's no on or off switch for this and no timer. It was driving me a bit mad as clearly it didn't need to be on during the summer and hopefully not for another couple of months. Anyway it does go through a wall switch plate thing (I'm so technical, can you tell? 😄) but not one with a switch, just with a fuse. So the only way I could stop it going on was by popping the fuse out of the wall switch plate thing. Is there anything else I should do with this?

Sorry to sound a little or even a dense! Would appreciate any help please, thank you!

macman

Normally an immersion heater has 2 elements in the same tank, the longer one for night use and the shorter one for a daytime boost if needed. Yours could be the same but with a two-tank system-can you post a pic? Have you checked with the LL or LA?
Yes, you can switch off the towel rail by removing the fuse from the FCU: it should really have a switched FCU.
The most economic way to run such a system is to minimise daytime usage, which, assuming you are on a E7 tariff, is charged at a much more expensive rate.

rosamy52

Hi,

Thanks for replying, here are some pics. There is writing underneath both switches but it's undecipherable!

Oops I tried to post pics but it won't let me as it thinks they are links, which I suppose they are, and as a newbie I'm not allowed to post them. I'll see if there's another way.

[Deleted User]

Hi,


to determine which switch is for which tank switch on one at a time just for a minute or so, you should hear it heating up, just as you hear a kettle starting to boil.


Put your pic links up with gaps or - and somebody will post them for you.

rosamy52

Good idea re listening, I've just tried it though and am none the wiser, couldn't hear anything!

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- scontent.fman2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/42132802_10102498113338253_7040964777115385856_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=6b6d4f3f11e9e656e43a6efbcadb4f08&oe=5C5FD124[/IMG]

rosamy52

So I think I've figured out which switch is which though I could be wrong. I left the main tank on overnight and hoped that would mean there would be hot water in the morning. However I've just done a big lot of washing up and there was no hot water which is disappointing. I did run it for quite a long time. So I've either got the wrong switch or something else isn't right. 😕 I'm confused! 😕

Any insight would be gratefully received, thank you!

[Deleted User]

Hi,


sorry I can't get your pics up from links, you have to upload to tinypics, or the likes, maybe not work for you as a new member.


Hopefully somebody more savvy will come along and help you.

rosamy52

Thanks, no worries though re the pics as I think I've figured out which switch is which. I'm just puzzles as to why there was no hot water even though the main tank was on overnight. If anyone else can help I'd be grateful!

macman

Basics: do you have an E7 meter, are you on an E7 tariff?

rosamy52

Yes and yes...

Scrounger

rosamy52 wrote: »

I'm just puzzles as to why there was no hot water even though the main tank was on overnight. If anyone else can help I'd be grateful!

Most likely the immersion element has gone and needs replacing. :eek:

Cheap fix available here:

What's covered?

• Repairs to your home’s mains electrical wiring system
• Repairs to a broken immersion heater

Scrounger