Electric boiler

Satyakrishna23

Hi, 

I am new to UK and have recently moved into a flat that has electric boiler. I am struggling to understand how best to operate an electric boiler with best settings to use (Continuous mode or 1 hours everyday). I knew that the electric boilers are costly to operate than gas boiler (came to know this very recently). I am just trying to see economical way of working it out. 
I use it ~19 degrees for 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening. The heating is not sufficient. But I can see that my consumption is increased by 50% just by using the heating system for 1 hour. 

Any help is highly appreciated. 

Thanks in advance 

Gerry1

Assuming that you are renting, the best solution would be to move as soon as your rental agreement allows.  An electric boiler is the most expensive form of heating you can have.

In the meantime, make sure you have registered with the existing supplier and sent your opening meter reading.  Make sure you are on your supplier's Standard Variable Tariff and don't sign up to any fixed deal.  Make sure you take frequent meter readings and send them monthly.

However, things may change soon: Ofgem will be announcing the new cap on 7 February, to take effect w.e.f. 1 April. Keep on eye on the latest thinking here but beware exit fees if you sign up for a fixed deal but then move to a new property.

Verdigris

Welcome to Britain.

I'm afraid there's no way to run them cheaply, except to switch it off, or move.

Electric boilers are installed by developers and landlords because the capital cost is low. They don't care that it will bankrupt the person living there. Electricity is likely to increase in price by 50% in April.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

QrizB

Satyakrishna23 said:

I use it ~19 degrees for 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening. The heating is not sufficient. But I can see that my consumption is increased by 50% just by using the heating system for 1 hour.

As others have said, it's going to be expensive. Sorry about that.

The typical way to run a boiler is to set the thermostat to the temperature you want (and 19C isn't a bad choice) and have the timer turn on 30 minutes before you wake up, then stay on until 30 minutes before you go to bed.

If the flat is empty for most of the day, instead set the boiler to turn off 30 minutes before you typically go out (eg. to work) and back on 30 minutes before you expect to arrive home. Then off 30 mins before bedtime.

To save money, turn the thermostat down and reduce the runtime of the boiler.

Ectophile

The best way to operate an electric boiler is to switch it off, and don't turn it on again.  Buy some cheap electric heaters, and turn them on only in rooms that you are using.