Hot water in electric only studio flat

burntrose

Hello,

My Boiler has stopped working, and I am looking for advice on whether to replace like for like, or to invest in a different system (if my current boiler is costly to repair/unrepairable).

My current boiler is a sealed cylinder system from Gledhill, and is about 15 years old - installed when I moved into the flat. I only really need hot water for the shower (no bath) and the occasional sink of dishes - I have a small counter top dishwasher, which self heats, and the washing machine self heats.

I live in a small studio flat in a tenement building, and have no gas supply into the property. I have under floor electric heating completely separate from my water supply.

I have been considering whether I would be better off with a hot water on demand type system, which would also free up a bit of space in what is a small property.

Any advice appreciated on best options for electric hot water only systems for someone who mostly uses hot water for 10-15 min showers (sometimes up to 30mins), and washing dishes a couple times a week.

Swipe

If you have no bath, personally, I'd just get an electric shower fitted and boil the kettle for your limited hot water needs. I'd also limit your shower time or your bills will go through the roof with an electric shower. If you don't want to do that then best to just get the immersion heater fixed. It could just be the heating element that has failed but could be circuit board issues. It might just even need the thermostat resetting. Best to check that first before you do anything. If it has two elements and a boost function, does that still work?

burntrose

Thanks for your reply. Tbh, I hadn't really considered an electric shower, but will look into it. Not sure how the costs might compare to what I have or a hot water on demand unit that could maybe do the taps as well.

I am already in contact with gledhill about whether it might be repairable, but tbh I have thought about changing it even before it broke as it takes up a good amount of space. Feel like I took the wrong advice when it was first installed, and should have gone for a smaller cylinder, or a different solution.

Any other advice, or comments from anyone who has installed electric shower or hot water on demand system about their experiences appreciated.

WIAWSNB

It's toughie with such little demand.

One advantage of the Gledhill is that it can be heated using a cheap overnight tariff. For 'family-sized' use, this would normally be the choice.

Oh, and since it's an unvented cylinder, the showers will be better.

Alternatively, replace the current shower with an electric jobbie as suggested, and installed an instant water heater in each hot tap location.

This will not be as satisfying, and will cost a fair amount - replace shower + wiring, 2+ water heaters + wiring.

Check what cheap rate overnight you have available. And if the only issue with the Gledhill is that it doesn't heat up, then definitely get a sparky out to check the elements first.

Are you remotely DIYish? Do you know anyone who is? If they have a test meter, and if they 'understand' electrical safety, we can guide them to test.

Photo of the Gledhill? And of the (two?) elements? And whatever timer is used to heat the tank.

I suspect, especially when taking in the cost of replacing the shower and bits, that you will be best to stick with what you have. If it's a simple blown element, then a no-brainer. If for some reason the cylinder needs replacing, then the costs will be roughly similar.

knightstyle

IMO a small electric heater under the kitchen sink and an electric shower will save money.

twopenny

An electric shower would be on demand but for a 15-30min shower that would cost quite a bit. It's like boiling a kettle. If you did that for quarter, half an hour.

But your usage elsewhere is small so for pleasure and convenience it may be worth it.

How do you manage long showers with a tank?

Lots of small water heaters on the market to use with basins and sinks so you can choose which suits.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168808#Comment_82168808

It's a toughie, but the answer must be out there!

The OP would presumably require at least two under sink heaters, and then the wiring to these and the leccy shower.

For this they'd then pay full-rate electricity, as you say, not cheap.

If the Glen can be simply repaired, and good chance it can, then the obvious solution is to keep it. Charge it up just the amount you need for a day's use - 2 hours on a cheap rate? 20p?

ComicGeek

The current cylinder will be heated by electric immersion, so the cheapest and simplest solution would be to just replace the existing cylinder with a new cylinder also heated by electric immersion. You could look at a slimline model if that would help space wise.

That's going to be a lot cheaper and easier than messing around replacing an existing (fully working?) shower and installing other undersink heaters (which tend to have a very short life before they fail). Decent electric shower is about the same price as a new cylinder!

Hot water energy costs are going to be very small when compared against electric underfloor heating costs - heat loss on a 150 litre cylinder is only around 1 kWh per day, and that's useful heat for the flat anyway.

Swipe

The cheapest solution would be to replace the faulty component

burntrose

Thank you all for the replies, my first solution is to repair my existing set up, however as said in my original post -

"My Boiler has stopped working, and I am looking for advice on whether to replace like for like, or to invest in a different system (if my current boiler is costly to repair/unrepairable)."

I have been on to gledhill and they have a fixed cost repair service for £358, so I guess it's that in the first instance, and if unable to fix can look at the suggested options. From what has been said I think the best bet is likely to be to go for a slightly smaller/slimline cylinder.

I appreciate you all taking the time to reply.

burntrose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82168672#Comment_82168672

I can do bits of DIY, but never touched electrics, other than changing a lightbilb, so would be hesitant to try anything myself.