Economy 7 water heater problems, help please!

rosamy52

So it seems we may finally have an answer to the problem. The electrician just called unexpectedly. I'd happened to have put the boost on about an hour ago so I could try to have a shower having used the little hot water there was to do the washing up this morning. He asked if there was always a gurgling sound at night or when the boost was on. I said yes I think so but not 100% as obviously I'm asleep most of that time but it does gurgle in the mornings. He played about with the red cap on the piping near the top of the tank and thinks that is the problem, that it's draining off water it thinks is too hot when it isn't. He called the office and a plumber will be coming tomorrow. Let's hope this is the answer! I might cry if it's not. Does that make sense and does that sound likely re the above? Whether that's fair or not I'm not sure...

thorganby

rosamy52 wrote: »

So it seems we may finally have an answer to the problem. The electrician just called unexpectedly. I'd happened to have put the boost on about an hour ago so I could try to have a shower having used the little hot water there was to do the washing up this morning. He asked if there was always a gurgling sound at night or when the boost was on. I said yes I think so but not 100% as obviously I'm asleep most of that time but it does gurgle in the mornings. He played about with the red cap on the piping near the top of the tank and thinks that is the problem, that it's draining off water it thinks is too hot when it isn't. He called the office and a plumber will be coming tomorrow. Let's hope this is the answer! I might cry if it's not. Does that make sense and does that sound likely re the above? Whether that's fair or not I'm not sure...

Yes that does make sense.

That is the pressure and temperature relief valve, which should not discharge into the tundish under normal conditions.

This valve should only operate when the pressure reaches 7 Bar or the water temperature reaches 90 degrees.

Cornucopia

I would have thought that the OP would see/hear water draining into the tundish, though. After all, that is what it is there for.

EachPenny

Cornucopia wrote: »

I would have thought that the OP would see/hear water draining into the tundish, though. After all, that is what it is there for.

Especially if it is causing the best part of 120 litres of hot water to be lost each night....

When the OP initially described the symptoms of having a small quantity of not very warm water I did wonder about the possibility of thermosyphonic effect somewhere in the plumbing... but this doesn't seem plausible as the sole cause if the lower element is set on maximum and running for the full 7 hours.

PeterGr

Recent off-peak energy consumption would be very different between the immersion not working, and working at maximum settings and draining the tank every night.

rosamy52

All I've heard were gurgling noises in the morning when i get up which as far as I was aware was normal but apparently it's not! As for hearing it during the night I sleep with earplugs in as I have sleep problems. I've never had this kind of system before so I don't know anything about it and what's normal or not and until very recently had no idea what a tundish was. That's why I'm grateful to those of you here who do know more and have been very helpful.

rosamy52

I don't know but hopefully this is the only problem which is on its way to being solved. The plumber, first time he's been out despite me saying that there might be something wrong with the tank and pipes if the electrics are all fine. He was good but needs a replacement part which won't arrive until tomorrow. Fingers crossed that works!

rosamy52

Great, thanks! I think we're finally getting somewhere. The plumber's just been and couldn't get the part, the tundish I think, for today but it's been ordered and is arriving tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed that will solve matters!