confused please help

sparklewing

moved into my flat last year and since then I have had the water heater switch in kitchen switched on permanently. I have storage heaters and 2 meters for electricity one for general and one for water and heating no gas. If I switch off this switch will it reduce my bills?

I dont really use the hot water in the tank for anything but washing up I have an electric shower but that heats up cold water I think, maybe the washing machine? Dont really know how these things work.

So will switching off this hot water heating switch save me money or because I dont use hot water is the water not being heated anyway. Also if I do switch it off when do I turn it on if i need hot water as the switch is not lit up(heating) all the time it flicks on and off over the day. So confused and not sure I explained that at all well but any help

Know this should probably be on utilities and I have asked there but you lot on oss seem very knowledgable on these things.
xxx

foreverskint

I to have storage heating and electric hot water imersion heater.
If its similar to mine the switch that you are talking about is the overnight economy switch and heats the water at the cheaper rate. It shoul only come on when the economy meter kicks in at shat ever time its set to.
Do you have another switch for instance, next to the tank inside the airing cupboard?
I have one inside the airing cupboard which I can flick on if I need extra hot water, BUT this is expensive and I try not to have it on for longer than an hour, when everyone wants their baths. I have the other switch which is located outside of the cupboard permantly switched on, and this automatically heats the water overnight.

If you only use water for washing up it may be cheaper just to boil a kettle, and not use the imersion heater at all?
HTH

Curry_Queen

I used to have this argument with my ex when we lived in a property with an electric emersion for a while. He said it was cheaper to leave it on all the time as it only had to re-heat whatever water you had used, rather than a full tank every time you turn it on. But the thing is, it'll be on a thermostat so everytime the water temp drops below whatever it's set at, it will turn itself on to heat it back up again, which is why you're getting the flickering switch.

If you don't use much water anyway, then I think you're wasting a lot of money and energy by having it on constantly and should just put it on for an hour or so a day, either morning or evening, depending when you need the hot water. It shouldn't take more than an hour to heat up the whole tank which will be plenty to do the day's washing up and have a bath or something.


Edit: Whoops cross-posted with foreverskint and just read her comments about the E7 switch, so feel free to ignore me as she makes far more sense

foreverskint

I never make any sense C-Q, if I do it will be the first time:rolleyes:

Nile

I agree with the comments posted by Curry_Queen.


We have a timer switch which controls the central heating and hot water. We have the hot water set to come on for one hour per day only. This gives us sufficient hot water but we don't have many baths...........and before you say 'pooh', we prefer showers:D .

If I was in your position (without the option of a timer switch)........I would turn it off permanently and use a jug kettle to heat exactly the quantity of water I need. To save a few more pennies, don't let the kettle boil and then add cold water to your washing up bowl:rolleyes: .............turn the kettle off once it has reached 'hand hot' temperature.

Make sure you keep your last electricity bill. Once you've turned your switch off, you should see a reduction in cost.

sparklewing

thanks for the info.

I just phoned my supplier(scottish hydro) and I am on their heating control tarriff which means my heating and water are off peak whatever time they are used. I cant use the price comparison websites as it doesnt give this as an option so i dont know if i am paying the cheapest i could.

My bill for the last 10 weeks(heating has been off)

Heating and water: 1700kwh £70.72 (4.16p per unit)
Other electric: 126kwh £9.45 (7.50p per unit)
Standing charge: £17.81 (25.45p per day)

Does this seem expensive, cheap,normal? To me the heating and water seems excessive since the heating has been off. I dont really use it in winter either as it doesnt make much difference(storage heating).

Any tips for reducing costs?

I just thought I have a real fire in the sitting room which I have never used due to really not having a clue if i switch off heating and water switch would i be right in thinking my bill for these 10 weeks would only be approx £30 and the heat from the fire would stop pipes freezing?

squeaky

The best place to ask these questions is the Utilities Board so I shall move the post there for you.

I'm sure you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know