replace electric heating & water system

BUFF

Dannii75 said:

The electric heating (night storage heaters) & water system in my house is very very old so  isn't efficient at all. (there's no gas supply).
I'm thinking a whole new system would be a good idea but I have no idea where to start.
Has anyone else done this recently, & do you have any advice? 

Make sure that your hot water cylinder (assuming that you have one) is fully lagged & only heat as much as you need when you need it (possible exception if you are on E7, are you?) & not to too high a temp. 

EssexHebridean

If the immersion heater is an older one then there's a strong likelihood it might benefit from a replacement jacket - in which case consider leaving the original in place and putting the replacement over the top for a bit of extra insulation. The more modern ones have a built in casing around them which provides the insulation and this does a far better job IMO. 

There are some threads running on here on the subject of the quantum heaters - they take a bit of getting used to but once you learn their ways chances are you would find you end up using less money to keep your home at a warmer level thanks to less heat escaping when you don't want it. We've only changed one so far but it's made a massive difference to our bills and internal temperature. (We've replaced the one closest to the centre of the building on the basis that we'd get the most benefit throughout from that - and so far it's definitely proved a good decision.) 

Dannii75

@EssexHebridean @buff When I got here there was zero lagging around the heater so that was one of the 1st things I did, it's now in a cosy/ huge jacket! Luckily, we're on E7, so that's a relief with NSHs!!! 
Never heard of quantum heaters so I'll look into that! 
Cheers - D 

EssexHebridean

lots of useful info in this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4756577/i-fitted-a-dimplex-quantum-heater/p1

Gerry1

Dannii75 said:

Never heard of quantum heaters so I'll look into that!

Other versions are available, often also made by Dimplex, so shop around and compare the specifications.  Quantums seem to be good, but you may be paying extra for the brand name.  If mains gas, heatpump or oil aren't realistic options then using HHR NSHs is probably the least worst solution if it's your own 'forever' flat.

Ideally you need two supplies to each NSH, one E7 for charging and one 24h for the programmer and the top up convector.  You can get away with just the 24h circuit, but it's very important that you understand it and program it yourself rather than go with default settings or letting the installer do it.  You'd also need to absolutely certain of your E7 times (don't rely on what you're told, look at the meter and watch it start and finish).

If you go with the 'cheapskate' single supply option and get it wrong (e.g. GMT/BST confusion, or you didn't spot the two hour gap in the cheap rate that applies in some areas) then it could prove to be an expensive mistake.  Remember that you'll need a local timer for the immersion heater if you rewire the E7 circuits to become 24h.

If in doubt, go for larger size NSHs so that you don't end up having to use the convectors to top up at expensive day rates whenever there's a Beast from the East.

Don't forget to come back and tell us how it went !

EssexHebridean

We had the additional circuit installed for ours - it cost almost nothing when compared with the cost of the heater itself and the installation, and it does add a degree of certainty that the heater can ONLY charge at the right time. 

Dannii75

@Gerry1 @EssexHebridean
again, great information. I need to sit down, see what'll work logistically & financially. then make a plan! 
Thank you! - D