new house - new system (help)

positivelymummy

just got new property, (its all electric) i found the boiler and the panel that goes with it, its a very basic box, 2 big switches one says normal supply other says off peak supply, and 2 small buttons for 1 hour boost and 2 hour boost. (by the way the boiler has 2 leads coming out) anyway, been nipping to the property a lot over the last couple of days and cant figure out the water heating????

( i am waiting for an electrician to come out sometime next week to check all is in order) but the water heating is very hotch potch? we have the off peak supply turned on, and the other morning it was lit up and the water was hot, but yesterday i was out there from 1pm to 4pm and 6.30 to 10pm and water was stone cold, i tried the boost but didn;t work (or i'd done something wrong??

i phoned hydro electric today to ask about off peak times but they said it was radio time switch controlled (i think they mean the heating not the water?) there is no timer in the house, i'm thinking it might be faulty? but owner never mentioned that and cant contact as he's moved over 400 mile away and no number?

any ideas? this sound familiar at all to anyone?
ta

Cardew

By the boiler you mean a Hot Water Tank heated by an immersion heater?

I depends how the house is wired, but most heating and water heating(immersion) only comes on during the Economy 7 period in the early hours of the morning(I am assuming you are not on Economy 10) with a boost facility if you need extra heat or water during the day.

As there is no timer that would appear to be the case.

Is it possible that all the hot water had been used? A full tank of heated water in a well insulated tank will stay warm for days.

It is unlikely to be a fault if it worked the other day. There is probably a switch somewhere that you have missed.

positivelymummy

yes i did mean a hot water tank thanks, well i've been out tonight and the water is ice cold, if it would have been heated this morning i would have expected it to still be warm (the tank is insulated with a hard cover) so i'm baffled? i tried the boost button again, but even after an hour it had made no difference at all, i'm totally puzzled! i have searched the house/meter and i cant see anything else relevant

Garz

When you select boost does your electric meter either flash faster (LED) or wheel spin round quicker?

If no then its likely that your boost isnt working or has been disconnected.

positivelymummy

thanks, thats a thought, i could try that today, i think my OH is thinking there's a fault somewhere, its just puzling as it has been warm/hot a few times but nothing for the past couple of days? but i'll look at the meter when its on today.

mute_posting

Is also worth checking your fuse/breaker box - it may be that the breakers for the boost immersion heater is turned off. (probably be a 16amp breaker)

also - does anything actually light up (if there are lights) when you press the boost buttons? (I would expect a LED or neon to light if the boost is active).

HTH
MP

positivelymummy

thanks, we checked the fuses and all are turned on, when we turned the boost button on the red light did come on but no hot water does any body know anything about 'overflow?' from a hot water tank? someone suggested checking this, but never heard of it before?

mute_posting

as water heats up, it expands (i.e. takes up more space)

I guess this is maybe what they are refering to. However, if it is overflowing, it must be expanding. if it is expanding it must be heating up so IMHO the overflow is a red herring.

Does the unit have a name on it or any obvious model number?

MP

positivelymummy

i'll have a look when i'm out tonight, thanks

positivelymummy

yipee! outcome... i have hot water!! stopped at hardware shop today and we bumped into the electrician who was due to come out on monday night, he gave us a few things to try before he came, (which my OH did) the top lead leading to the hot water tank had a cover (white circle) thing on the hot water tank outside bit...(if that makes sense) and he pulled the cover off and a tiny weeny button was poking out, so he pushed it back in, apparantly it was some kind of trip switch? anyway i'm happy i have hot water, still gonna get checked on monday though....thanks to all for advice.