Megaflo Cylinder for hot water

Rachel*

Thanks for all the info, I will definitely spend some more time googling to find out more. 

teachfast

Ask yourself if you really need hot water, especially if you have an electric shower. You can just boil kettles for dishwashing. We lived without it for years for this exact reason. 

snowqueen555

Just bumping this old thread. Does anyone have any idea how much this costs to run a day? Looking to buy a flat with this system, but will be basic tariff no economy 7. It keeps the water warm all day, but wondering if there is a way to only have it on a few hours a day and use it like a normal immersion heater with timer.

Thanks

QrizB

snowqueen555 said:

Just bumping this old thread. Does anyone have any idea how much this costs to run a day? Looking to buy a flat with this system, but will be basic tariff no economy 7. It keeps the water warm all day, but wondering if there is a way to only have it on a few hours a day and use it like a normal immersion heater with timer.

I'm pretty sure we've discussed this at length on your other thread.

• If you don't use any hot water at all, but just heep the tank hot, it will cost you up to ~60p/day on a single-rate tariff at current prices.
• Every litre of hot water you use from the tap will cost (very roughly) an additional 2p. If mixed 50/50 with cold to make hot water for a shower or bath, each litre will cost 1p.
• A 5-minute shower will be around 50p, a bath £1-£2 depending on how deep you have it.
  

Those prices could increase by 50% from October.

snowqueen555

QrizB said:

snowqueen555 said:

Just bumping this old thread. Does anyone have any idea how much this costs to run a day? Looking to buy a flat with this system, but will be basic tariff no economy 7. It keeps the water warm all day, but wondering if there is a way to only have it on a few hours a day and use it like a normal immersion heater with timer.

I'm pretty sure we've discussed this at length on your other thread.

• If you don't use any hot water at all, but just heep the tank hot, it will cost you up to ~60p/day on a single-rate tariff at current prices.
• Every litre of hot water you use from the tap will cost (very roughly) an additional 2p. If mixed 50/50 with cold to make hot water for a shower or bath, each litre will cost 1p.
• A 5-minute shower will be around 50p, a bath £1-£2 depending on how deep you have it.
  

Those prices could increase by 50% from October.

This is useful information, thanks

KS

Hello, I have moved into a flat with the same water heater and was trying to work out which bit is the peak tariff/boost section, top or bottom? (I see different people have said different things on the thread above, and just wondered if anyone knew for sure!) 

Reed_Richards

KS said:

...trying to work out which bit is the peak tariff/boost section, top or bottom? (I see different people have said different things on the thread above, and just wondered if anyone knew for sure!) 

Hot water rises in the cylinder and the hot water is always plumbed to come out of the top.  The lower the heater the more of the tank get heated so the normal/correct configuration is that peak tariff/boost heater is the higher one of the two.  It's there for when you want some more hot water but not a tank full.  However there is no absolute guarantee that your cylinder has been wired that way.  

KS

Ah, that would be logical right enough! 

Rachel*

Just thought I’d add some information to this, as I’ve now been in my flat two years with this hot water cylinder.

Firstly, I do live on my own so this could differ for others, but I only have to turn the water on for 15 minutes a day to get enough hot water to shower, do some washing up, wash hands etc. This took some trial and error to see how long I needed it on for (as I was having it on for an hour to start off with - which obviously had an impact on my electricity bills!) 

I’m on a normal rate tariff (not economy 7) and I have noticed a difference in my bills since using it for 15 mins - I would estimate that I’m saving £20 a month compared to the 30mins-1 hour usage before. 

sebtomato

Rachel* said:

I’ve recently purchased a 2 bedroom flat, which has electric convection heaters and a Megaflo Unvented Direct Cylinder for hot water. 

I’ve been trying to read up about the Megaflo cylinder but just end up confusing myself so was hoping someone can help me. 

1. Is it cheaper to leave this switched on all the time, or just when I want hot water? (I work different shifts each week, anything from 6am to 7pm over Mon - Sun)

2. I noticed there is two switches on the wall, and from my research I believe it is a 2 immersion system? So it is better to leave one on and the other one off unless I want a bath or will be using a lot of hot water in one go? 

I haven’t actually moved into the property yet as I’m still decorating, buying furniture etc. so I have turned it off unless I’m actually at the property and needing hot water. But just want to be prepared for when I move in. 

I have pretty much the same model.

Typically, your flat should have an economy 7 meter, as that cylinder is designed for off-peak use.

During off peak hours, the off peak circuit should be active. This should power the switch going to bottom cable, to heat up water during the night when it's cheap (cheaper rates). The bottom cable leads to the bottom heating element that heats the water...from the bottom.
Off-peak should be 7 hours during the night. Currently 23:30 to 01:30, and then 03:30 to 08:30 with EDF energy in London (other areas may have different hours).

The switch leading to the top cable should only be used for top-ups (only heating up the top of the cylinder, shallow water), when you have used all hot water and needs some more on that day. Don't leave that switch on all the time, only one hour or two should be sufficient, only when you need additional hot water.

If you don't have economy 7, then maybe only switch on for a few hours before you need hot water, or get an electrician to install a timer on the "non-top" up socket, so that you can hot water in the morning when you need it (so for instance switch to be one from 05:00 to 08:00). 

Given the high electricity prices, you don't want those switches to be on all the time. One of my neighbour made that mistake and had a £400 bill...per month.