Immersion Heater Help - PP120E

QrizB

Wexi said:
Central heating (rads) is via a completely separate electric system - Heatrae Sadia Amptec Boiler C400. Thankfully I've had no issues with that in over 4 years.

No problem other than huge electricity bills?

Gerry1

Wexi said:

I am trying to cut down on energy costs

Wexi said:

Gerry1 said:

Wexi said:

Gerry1 said:

You seem to be saying 'thermostat' when you mean 'immersion heater'.  The thermostat is contained within the immersion heater assembly.

The thermostat mustn't be bypassed (shorted out) because the water would boil, potentially explosively, if the safety cut out failed.

Again, happy to be told I'm wrong, and learn something today!

No, I was wrong.  Most immersion heaters have the heating element and thermostat in the same assembly.  Looks much like your thermostat but a U-shaped rod.  I've learned something today !

Out of interest, how did you establish that the upper heater is always live?

Also, how are the rooms heated?

Central heating (rads) is via a completely separate electric system - Heatrae Sadia Amptec Boiler C400.

Aaaaarrrrrrgggghhh!  That's your problem.  Nothing is more expensive to run than an electric boiler, apart from burning £50 notes (to nick @matelodave's catchphrase).  Presumably it's totally impossible to get mains gas and impractical to use oil, LPG or a heatpump?

If so, and you own the property and expect to be there a reasonable time, it might be worth considering High Heat Retention Night Storage Heaters, e.g. Dimplex Quantum.  Not cheap to buy and install, but cost effective to run if you shop around for a good Economy 7 tariff.

Wexi

Thank you for all the input folks and sorry for the delay. I'm yet to get an electrician to fix the double pole switch, but in the meantime I've gone with lohrs suggestion. With a bit of planning I have hot water when I need it, and I'm not burning money when I don't.

Thanks all