Electric only Boilers

[Deleted User]

My so has recently bought a 1 bedroom flat. There is no gas only electric . We have taken the old copper boiler out to install a more cost savings efficient one . We also plan to replace the old electric radiators for more  energy efficient ones . The boiler only has to supply hot water to the kitchen sink And bathroom sink there is an electric shower . Was hoping someone can advise on on cost effective and energy saving boiler /size/ 3kw ? 30 ltr ? and radiators ? We really have no idea . 

Many thanks 

daveyjp

Electric heating is 100% efficient.  The old boiler and heaters aren't therefore inefficient so you won't save money on running costs by replacing them, or are you considering a 'wet' system with an electric boiler and radiators?

A new hot water storage system may be better insulated, but heating water costs whatever the output of the heating element i.e 3kw heater will cost three units of electricity per hour when operating.

danrv

Hi
Sounds like the copper boiler is a hot water immersion cylinder and the radiators may be storage heaters.
Do you know if electricity supply is Economy 7?

tacpot12

I would look at something like this unit to supply water to the hot taps:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/ariston-aures-electric-instant-water-heater-9-5kw/305fj

You might think a 9.5kW heater would use three times as much energy as a 3kW heater, and it will, but because heats the water 3 times as quick it will save money on water (if he is on a meter), and he will be happier with it. 

Cardew

Welcome to the Forum.

As stated in the second post it is important to appreciate that ALL electrical heating is 100% efficient. By efficient it means that ANY electrical heater produces EXACTLY the same amount of heat for the same consumption of electricity - and hence cost. Thus a £10 fan heater from Argos will produce the same heat, for a set cost, as the over-hyped heaters advertised in the media that can sometimes cost over £1,000 each. Filling these heaters, and coating them, with any substance known to man does not alter that fact. So beware of the claims some firms make about their 'economical' electrical heaters.

So the old radiators in the flat will be as efficient as any replacement you can buy. Replacements might look better, and have better controls. However you can get better controls cheaply without going to the expence of new radiators.  

macman

Rip out the immersion heater and NSH's (if that is what they are), switch from E7 to single rate, and, hey presto, you've instantly trebled the cost of your heating and hot water overnight!
If you've really 'no idea', why not check before you start work?

molerat

Instant increase in efficiency for £10.99, absolute bargain

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hot-water-cylinder-jacket-18-x-80mm-x-1219mm/43483?cm_sp=managedredirect-_-plumbing-_-cylinderjackets&_requestid=276576

Mister_G

molerat said:

Instant increase in efficiency for £10.99, absolute bargain

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hot-water-cylinder-jacket-18-x-80mm-x-1219mm/43483?cm_sp=managedredirect-_-plumbing-_-cylinderjackets&_requestid=276576

Too late!

Looking at the OP, I think that the hot water cylinder is long gone!

Talldave

suzyi said:

My so has recently bought a 1 bedroom flat. There is no gas only electric . We have taken the old copper boiler out to install a more cost savings efficient one . We also plan to replace the old electric radiators for more  energy efficient ones . The boiler only has to supply hot water to the kitchen sink And bathroom sink there is an electric shower . Was hoping someone can advise on on cost effective and energy saving boiler /size/ 3kw ? 30 ltr ? and radiators ? We really have no idea . 

Many thanks 

By copper boiler, do you mean water tank with an immersion element (or two) in it?  In which case the only upgrade possible is really an insulated tank.  But are you saying you started without knowing what you were going to replace it with?  

Does the flat have Economy 7?

matelodave

Had you kept the old tank, possibly on an off peak tariff and used the hotwater from it you would have been able to have a tank full of hot water to wash and shower with at less than 10p/kwh. Now you've replaced it with an electric shower it will cost you whatever peak rate your electricity costs, likewise with the electric flow boiler you are paying at least twice as much to use it.

You really need to understand what sort of heaters you've got - storage heaters on E7 or just wall mounted convectors because storage heaters use off-peak cheaper rate leccy whereas anything else whether it be a £10 fan heat or £1000 Fischer/Rointe or any other exotic heater will use peak rate leccy.

I fear that you've gone about it the wrong way and it could cost you a lot more than you bargained for

Hasbeen

suzyi said:

My so has recently bought a 1 bedroom flat. There is no gas only electric . We have taken the old copper boiler out to install a more cost savings efficient one . We also plan to replace the old electric radiators for more  energy efficient ones . The boiler only has to supply hot water to the kitchen sink And bathroom sink there is an electric shower . Was hoping someone can advise on on cost effective and energy saving boiler /size/ 3kw ? 30 ltr ? and radiators ? We really have no idea . 

Many thanks 

Well OP bet you were surprised at the advice and where you may have perhaps gone wrong?

But not to late to try and fix.

You have taken out a copper boiler? 
That will be a copper hot water cylinder with immersion heaters to supply hot water only.

As you state there is still existing electric radiators at moment.
So probably on an off peak tariff.

Please clarify what type of radiators are hopefully still there. Leave them at moment. And what tariff they are on.

At the moment it looks like reinstalling a new modern hot water cylnder.

Perhaps more modern looking off peak radiators if that what your son wants.
But no money saving .As all efficient as has been pointed out.
Was the electric shower existing? They are expensive to run, especially if you already have hot water stored on the HW cylinder.

Tell what you have and what you want to achieve and you will get advice on night storage heaters / HW cylinders / contols etc.etc.

Edit it was the mention of Electric Boiler
 That's a no, no