There is something consuming electricity (and cant identify what it is)

javixeneize

Looks like there is no switch for the immersion heater, only the main one stops it

in any case my question is different now. It should be off (and the thermostat was off) at the time it was using 3kw. I’m not familiar with those items but should it be working when the thermostat is off?

MWT

javixeneize said:

Looks like there is no switch for the immersion heater, only the main one stops it

in any case my question is different now. It should be off (and the thermostat was off) at the time it was using 3kw. I’m not familiar with those items but should it be working when the thermostat is off?

Have a close look at your hot water tank, often there will be two immersion heaters fitted, one on the E7 supply and one on the normal day time supply.

The idea being that the lower one in the tank comes on overnight to heat the whole tank and the upper one is available to be turned on during the day if you need a boost.

Have all at the wiring around the tank and see what you have and note any switches or timers you may have in there.

You didn't say if you are on Economy 7, but if so check the switching time between day and night and make sure any other timers are set appropriately. Also check if there has been any adjustment for BST as well...

javixeneize

I’m not in economy7, just variable tariff.

the thermostat time is correct and I can see the light is switched off, I can’t hear any noise or indication of the heater tank working at all, so if it was not because of the energy usage, I would say it is off…

This is really weird

doodling

Hi,

There is a lot of really weird stuff:

1. You need to find out which fuse or circuit breaker in a consumer unit the immersion heater is connected to.  If it isn't connected to one then the installation is dangerous.

2. Understanding which fuse or circuit breaker it is connected to might help you understand what turns it on and off.

3. Are you sure you are looking at a thermostat? Often immersion heater thermostats are located under the cover where the wire is connected to the heater. (Don't open this as it will expose live terminals and you seem to have no way of isolating them), You might be looking at a timer, or something completely unrelated to the immersion heater.

4. Has the property ever had economy 7, or similar - if it has then this makes a big difference to how the immersion heater might be connected up and controlled?

5. Photos of your consumer unit / meter and the hot water cylinder and controls would probably allow your question to be answered really quickly.

javixeneize

Hi

i didn’t know the immersion system has its own thermostat. My home thermostat has two options: hot water and heating. I thought hot water option was the thermostat.
pics attached 

Keep_pedalling

The primary source for heating that tank is your boiler, the electric heating element is the backup which you appear to have permanently turned on. What you are calling the thermostat is your central heating controller, which also controls when the boiler heats the water in the tank, but when that is off you are still heating with electricity which is costing you a considerable amount of money. 

Put that switch to off. You may need to also extend the period of time the boiler heats the water as you won’t have as much hot water available as you are currently used too.

javixeneize

Oh, is it? I was changing something the other day there and maybe I pushed that button by mistake, now that you mention it I am not sure if it was on or not

all makes sense now. Thanks!!

coffeehound

Probably a good idea to take your meter reading and compare with your electricity bill -- you might get an unpleasant surprise depending on how long it has been switched on 

wittynamegoeshere

Label it!

Immersion heater - for emergency use only, normally off