Water heater

[Sarah turner]

Hi I have recently moved into a rented house and I have no idea how the water heater works. I was wondering is someone can explain as I can’t get the water to heat up enough. I have uploaded some photos.

As you can see a timer has been added but I just don’t understand how it all works. The timer is apparently attached to upper immerser and the other switch is for the lower immerser

 

[ianmcd]

you will have to switch on the upper immersion at the timer, the lower one is a manual switched backup if the upper one fails

 

[JohnD]

The timer is apparently attached to upper immerser and the other switch is for the lower immerser

That's a bit unusual. Are you sure you've got that right? Is there an "economy 7" or similar tariff for cheap energy overnight? When there is, the timer usually turns the lower element on during the cheap period. This is common for people who don't have a gas boiler. Sometimes the overnight supply is controlled by a timer in, or close to, the electricity meter. In this arrangement the upper element is not turned on unless the hot water runs out, because it will be higher-priced electricity outside the timed period.

The bottom element heats (lots of water) and the upper element heats (a small amount of water). The top one may be insufficient for a bath.

Consider the possibility that the person who wrote the labels made a mistake.

 

[mrStat]

1) Turn on the "bottom immersion" - Does the switch illuminate?
- If it doesn't; as JohnD said, you may have a dual supply, in which case - Leave it on and check 2-4AM to see if it illuminates... This can then be left on 24/7 and it will heat a full tank during the offpeak hours; and if you start running low - Use the top boost immersion.
- If it does; then it is a 24/7 supply; leave it on and you will get a full tank - But this could be expensive.

2) The top immersion will only heat a small amount of water at the top of the tank - Consider it as a boost option for when you run low on hot water.

If turning the bottom switch on and waiting until the morning with still no hot water. Call your landlord - The immersions may have tripped out. But it looks relatively new - I suggest that really big switch probably needs to be on to power the bottom immersion to give you a good tank full of water.

 

[foxhole]

Upper switch gives you 1/2 tank heating via timer , other switch should give you full tank again via timer if wired correctly.

 

[MeldrewsMate]

Ditto on the above, but really you should have instructions from your landlord on how to use the timer. If not you can help yourself by making a note of the timer make and model, then look online for user instructions.

 

[Sarah turner]

Thank you for all your help, I was told buy the landlord that I should only have the switch that says upper immerser and timers on and I don’t use the switch that’s says lower immerser.

The timer is set to go on 4:30-7:30 am and 6:00 - 8:00. But that’s not giving is enough hot water.

The lower immerser isn’t attached to a timer.

I should add he has put in the water heater himself.

 

[mrStat]

I should add he has put in the water heater himself.

That would explain why the installation does not meet the basic requirements for this kind of cylinder.

All I can say is that you will probably need to use the bottom immersion otherwise you will only ever get the top part of the tank with hot water.

Somewhere on the tank (Looks like bottom right hand corner) will be a badge with the size of the cylinder, post up the details and someone on here will be able to tell you how long it should take to get a full tank of hot water on the bottom immersion.

However you look at it, in its current condition, I’d struggle to consider this fit for purpose and any of our landlords would be advised to (a) correct the safety discharge pipework and (b) give you timed control of both elements.

 

[bernardgreen]

I should add he has put in the water heater himself.

Given there appears to be an expansion vessel fitted ( white object above the cylinder ) then this could be an un-vented cylinder. Installing an un-vented cylinder requires that the installer is G3 qualified and competent to install un-vented systems.

 

[muggles]

Have to agree with Bernard here @Sarah turner - you have a bigger issue than confusing controls. This hasn't been installed correctly and in its present configuration (assuming it is an unvented setup) it could cause a flood in your flat in a fault situation.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

+1 for the above posts. If that is (and it looks like) an 'Unvented' system then, as Bernard has pointed out, it needs to be installed and commissioned by someone with a 'G3' certificate to say they are trained and competent to install unvented systems.

Given the fact that the immersion's have been connected the wrong way round for a start, (no competent installer would make that mistake!), then heaven only knows what else could be wrong. At best you may get a flood, at worst you could have a potential bomb there. Get Building Control from the Local Council involved ASAP. It needs checking over by someone with a G3 who does know what they're doing!