Electric immersion water cylinder: jacket?

sebtomato

Hi,

I live in a fairly recent flat, well insulated, and there is an electric immersion water heater in a utility cupboard (so very standard), only heating up water during off peak hours (economy 7).

The cupboard is more towards the centre of the block of flat, so away from windows and outside walls.

I am wondering whether I should buy a jacket/insulation for it or not.

On one hand, that utility cupboard tends to be quite warm, meaning some heat is escaping the water heater, and therefore probably spending more energy than necessary to keep the water warm. Also, an insulation jacket is quite cheap.

On the other hand, that utility cupboard is quite warm, meaning heat is staying in that cupboard, as opposed to escaping. Also, in winter, it will keep the flat warm anyway. Installing a jacket properly may be difficult as not much space at the rear (between wall and cylinder), and return on investment may be years (for instance, saving 5p per day would mean 20 months to get money back, and probably even more if it's only really beneficial during cold weather etc.).

[Deleted User]

Hi,

has cylinder no insulation just now?

The jackets are cheap, though you could wrap an old heavy blanket or duvet round cylinder.

Have you shelves in cupboard, could be used as airing cupboard for towels or bedding.?

Any chance of a photie?

Mstty

What's the make and model of the cylinder as you can probably find the water heat loss figures online easily.

sebtomato

Mstty said:

What's the make and model of the cylinder as you can probably find the water heat loss figures online easily.

It's a Megflo from Heatrae Sadia. I don't know the exact model (no label with such information). It has a peak heating element, and off peak one.

sebtomato

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

has cylinder no insulation just now?

The jackets are cheap, though you could wrap an old heavy blanket or duvet round cylinder.

Have you shelves in cupboard, could be used as airing cupboard for towels or bedding.?

Any chance of a photie?

No external insulation now. I have shelves in the cupboard, but don't dry anything there.

I have no real benefits in having that cupboard warm.

sebtomato

I don't know exactly how much electricity I am consuming for hot water. Should probably be 3kw element for 1.5 hour off peak = 4.5kWh.

How much an insultation jacket is likely to save? 10%?

k_man

Does the tank feel warm or hot the the touch when the water has been heated?
Does it have any insulation, or is it bare metal?

How is the flat heated?

Mstty

Which one? If you get a model from Google pictures from what you see that will help.

https://www.google.com/search?q=megaflo+heatrae+sadia&oq=megalflo+he&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i13l8.3758j0j7&client=ms-android-oneplus&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#scso=_jHQEY4DcHM-ZhbIPofepkA83:0

All of them so far look like fully insulated cylinders cool to the touch which means no extra jacket required.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

something like this,

if so, it's already insulated.

sebtomato

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

something like this,

if so, it's already insulated.

Yes, pretty identical. Two heating elements, bottom (off peak) and higher (peak top-up). Thanks!

sebtomato

k_man said:

Does the tank feel warm or hot the the touch when the water has been heated?
Does it have any insulation, or is it bare metal?

How is the flat heated?

Not extremely warm. Not bare metal (as per the message above).

Flat is heated via electric storage underfloor heating, but well insulated. I didn't use heating last winter (also because my neighbours around me were heating their flat a lot!).