Dual Immersion Cylinder Question

TMiller7

Hi all,

(Questions in last paragraph, background below)
First time posting after years of reading posts from the shadows!

I’ve recently purchased a small, electric only (Key meter), studio flat and am in the process of making it liveable.

On my EPC certificate, my recommended upgrades are ‘fan assisted storage heaters (SH) and dual immersion cylinder (DIC)’.

There is currently no heating (was just socket panels) and the current water tank is a standard off peak electric immersion (sorry for not being very accurate with this, it’s how it is referred to on my EPC)

I feel so stuck on the process of where to start, because I’m doing it on my own I don’t know if I’m over thinking everything!

-Do I need to switch over to Economy 7 before I can get the DIC/SH installed?
- Is this just a case of phoning the electricity provider (Eon)
-What trades would I need to contact for the DIC to be installed? Would it just be a plumber?
- How many ways on a consumer unit would I require? (1 for DIC, 1 for SH)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read

Gerry1

Electric heating will cost you an arm and a leg. Storage heaters are a pain: apart from the running costs, you have to be a weather forecaster, and they are difficult to control. If you're out all day you're wasting money because it'll be as warm as toast when you're not there.

Is there any possibility of getting gas? Although there's significant capital outlay, gas would significantly reduce your bills, add to the value of the flat and make it more saleable. If not, you're probably stuck with E7. It sounds like you may be already on an E7 tariff: do you have a dual register meter?

Whatever you do, find out who your supplier is and send them a meter reading PDQ if you haven't already done so, otherwise you could be paying for the previous occupant's use. If you don't know, your network operator's website will tell you. A pre-paid tariff is unlikely to be the cheapest: consider switching to a credit tariff.

The off peak immersion heater will be towards the bottom of the tank, the top-up peak rate towards the top. If you have only a single rate meter you'll first need a dual rate meter with a switched off peak supply to which the lower heater and the storage heaters can be connected.

Get a timer so that the off peak immersion heater comes on perhaps half an hour before the cheap rate electricity finishes. Use the peak immersion heater sparingly to top up if you've misjudged and have run out of hot water during the day.

Robisere

I second all Gerry1's information and advice, especially regarding Economy7 and storage heaters. When our landlord changed the ancient NS heaters to Gas central heating, our bills fell from £175 to £75/month. That was 2015 and we now pay EDF £85/month.

TMiller7

Thank you both for taking the time to reply.

As far as I am aware it is not a dual tariff just a single. This is what gave me the impression I needed to swap over. Additionally I don’t think I am paying for the previous occupier, but thank you for the heads up!

Without diverting too much away from the topic title, in the event of gas being practical (TBC), would that mean upgrading the immersion heater would not be required, as well as the electricity meter not needing to go dual?

It’s honestly the worst asking questions people may perceive as obvious

Gerry1

It just comes down to convenience and economics. As it's a studio flat you might get away with just a gas fire rather than full central heating, depending on whether it's easy to fit a flue. If your hot water demands are modest it may be easier to use just the off peak immersion heater in the summer rather than fire up a boiler. The basic concept to understand is that off peak E7 kWh are probably around three times the cost of gas, and full price around five times - check your tariff.

Your existing immersion heater probably gives you a full tank of hot water, which may be a bit slow and wasteful if you just want a quick basinful. The top heater will do that if you run out in the day, or if you don't use much water you could time it to come on shortly before the off peak ends. None of it is compulsory, you just have more options to suit your lifestyle.

It all comes down to your personal preferences e.g. how long you'll keep the property, whether it's occupied full time or used as a dormitory, whether you prefer (and can afford) to invest in infrastructure to get lower fuel costs, etc. There aren't necessarily any right or wrong answers, except to avoid using full price electricity for heating as much as possible.

If you have a single rate meter (unlikely because it's so expensive, but perhaps that explains why it's a PAYG meter !) you may be charged to change to an E7 meter. If so, it might be worth changing to a supplier that doesn't charge, even if only temporarily. If you then decide that E7 isn't for you, many suppliers will just add the two readings together so you wouldn't necessarily have to change back to a single rate meter.

If you switch to a credit meter, always take monthly meter readings to avoid estimated bills and check that your Direct Debits are keeping up with your usage. Always think in annual kWh and annual £££, not monthly DDs which can be wonky.

Just find out all the facts and then decide what suits you. Knowledge is power !

jk0

I think you should change to Economy 7 tariff for heating but don't worry about changing the tank until it needs doing. Just get a timeswitch for the tank, and another for a largish Quantum heater.

Kitchen_Sink

TMiller7 wrote: »

Hi all,

(Questions in last paragraph, background below)
First time posting after years of reading posts from the shadows!

I’ve recently purchased a small, electric only (Key meter), studio flat and am in the process of making it liveable.

On my EPC certificate, my recommended upgrades are ‘fan assisted storage heaters (SH) and dual immersion cylinder (DIC)’.

There is currently no heating (was just socket panels) and the current water tank is a standard off peak electric immersion (sorry for not being very accurate with this, it’s how it is referred to on my EPC)

I feel so stuck on the process of where to start, because I’m doing it on my own I don’t know if I’m over thinking everything!

-Do I need to switch over to Economy 7 before I can get the DIC/SH installed?

No. But if you want to benefit from 7 hours cheap rate electricity every day, then do consider E7.
Storage heaters are designed to use cheap rate electricity (such as that available from E7), storing the heat for when it is needed.
There is no point having storage heaters if you don't have E7

TMiller7 wrote: »

- Is this just a case of phoning the electricity provider (Eon)

Sorry, is what "just a case of phoning the electricity provider (Eon)"?

If you mean a change of tariff, then yes. (a meter change may be required for which a cost may apply. The supplier will give full detail)

If you mean installation of a new water cylinmfer and or storage heaters, no that is not the responsibility of your enbergy supplier

TMiller7 wrote: »

-What trades would I need to contact for the DIC to be installed? Would it just be a plumber?

Yes, but ensure the plumber also has an electrical qualification. else you will find you will be told to employ one of them to finish the job!

If you explain what you want to a plumber, they should be able to confirm in their quote that they are competent and qualified to carry out the entire job; many are (but some are not)

TMiller7 wrote: »

- How many ways on a consumer unit would I require? (1 for DIC, 1 for SH)

Thank you so much for taking the time to read

A suitably qualified electyrician will be able to survey your property and advise what is required. My advice wouyld be to consult a suitably qualified electrical heating enegineer who should also be able to advise on what sorage heaters are required (quantity, size, etc)

Owain_Moneysaver

How small a studio flat, and does it have a bath or a shower room?

Because if it's really small the space taken up by a hot water cylinder may be much better used as storage or remove the cupboard altogether and gain living space. Electric shower and a small undersink water heater for the basin and kitchen sink.

TMiller7

Again thank you all for the reply’s.
Haven’t quite mastered how to reply to sections in quotes 😅.

Cheers Gerry1,
It is a single rate, has it confirmed so maybe in terms of your advice it would make sense to try get another provider to swap it over to dual rate.
Really valuable information in that post to take on board. Thank you.

Jk0, yeah I understand your logic, I’m just working on boosting my energy rating and that was a factor to keep in mind

Kitchen sink, thanks for the breakdown!
Yeah my poorly worded question was about changing over to economy 7, would that be enquiry through the provider.
I will also see if I can get in a plumber with electrical knowledge!
Thank you

OwainMoneysaver, it’s small! 25 Square meters to be exact! And it does have a bathroom.

Gerry1

TMiller7 wrote: »

Haven’t quite mastered how to reply to sections in quotes 😅.

Just click on the 'Quote' button !

Owain_Moneysaver

TMiller7 wrote: »

it’s small! 25 Square meters to be exact! And it does have a bathroom.

Change the bath to a shower; washing machine and tumble dryer in the shower room!