Immersion hot water not lasting long enough!

[LeeFL]

I moved into my flat back in May of this year, I’m very new to electric heaters and immersion heating. Previous tenant swore blind that the hot water was “great” and the heaters are “great” — hmmm that’s not exactly been my experience so far.

The cold water pressure is like a jet wash whilst the hot water pressure is very poor in comparison, and to my dismay the hot water does not last long enough to fill a full bath! I don’t have an electric shower yet, as I think I need to seek permission from Clarion Housing first before I get one, the shower currently runs off the bath taps…yes it’s crap, and I’ve had this in a previous property but it at least was usable, but here in my current flat you so much as lift the shower above your head the hot water turns cold and I’m assuming this is down to the low pressure of the hot water.

Now the hot water is barely able to fill a normal amount for a bath before going cold and therefore no remaining hot water until the following morning! So I’m rarely having baths but instead using the shower even though it’s not brilliant to use either but doesn’t use up all the hot water so quickly.

I’m on economy 7 with Octopus too by the way, and the timer on the wall looks like a very old outdated ‘clock’ unit switch.

I’ve seen elsewhere online that there could be a few issues that could be causing this all to happen. I wanted to post here and see what suggestions or advice anyone may be able to give, and I would really appreciate anything to help bounce theories and ideas off. I will post photo of the immersion tank as soon as I can also.

 

[Murdochcat]

A photo of your hot water tank may prove helpful

 

[Madrab]

Yeah .... need to know the size of the cylinder, does it have a double immersion element, see the time clock(s) etc.

 

[StephenStephen]

When is the immersion heater switched on?

 

[LeeFL]

When is the immersion heater switched on?

I think it’s always on I’m still clueless with it.

 

[LeeFL]

Here are some photos of it all. It’s all a bit messy in there.

 

[LeeFL]

Some more

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

but here in my current flat you so much as lift the shower above your head the hot water turns cold and I’m assuming this is down to the low pressure of the hot water.

With a that type of hot water system, that is normal, especially if the tank feeding the hot water cylinder, is not high enough above the shower.

Now the hot water is barely able to fill a normal amount for a bath before going cold and therefore no remaining hot water until the following morning! So I’m rarely having baths but instead using the shower even though it’s not brilliant to use either but doesn’t use up all the hot water so quickly.

The usual arrangement with E7, is to have two immersion elements in the cylinder, one near the top, just heating the upper part of the cylinder, for use during peak times. The lower one, heats the entire cylinder on cheaper E7. Maybe that is switched off/faulty/wrongly set up.

You need to post photos for some help.

 

[LeeFL]

With a that type of hot water system, that is normal, especially if the tank feeding the hot water cylinder, is not high enough above the shower.



The usual arrangement with E7, is to have two immersion elements in the cylinder, one near the top, just heating the upper part of the cylinder, for use during peak times. The lower one, heats the entire cylinder on cheaper E7. Maybe that is switched off/faulty/wrongly set up.

You need to post photos for some help.

I’ve posted photos just now in my above post. I’m desperate to find a solution/fix. I look forward to yours and others opinions upon viewing the photos. Thanks

 

[oilhead]

If you turn on the boost dial does the hor water come on. It looks as though it gives you an hour, or part of an hour depending on how far you turn it, outside of the Economy 7 programmed times.

 

[LeeFL]

If you turn on the boost dial does the hor water come on. It looks as though it gives you an hour, or part of an hour depending on how far you turn it, outside of the Economy 7 programmed times.

Yes it does but it’s a long long time for it heat water and not well, also costs a fortune.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I’ve posted photos just now in my above post. I’m desperate to find a solution/fix. I look forward to yours and others opinions upon viewing the photos. Thanks

On that wall control, there is a knob marked 'BOOST', try turning that - then report back if you see any lights come on, on the control, and if you here a slight sizzle noise from the cylinder, after a short while.

 

[LeeFL]

On that wall control, there is a knob marked 'BOOST', try turning that - then report back if you see any lights come on, on the control, and if you here a slight sizzle noise from the cylinder, after a short while.

Yes turned that on and immediately makes that sizzle sound for a minute or so. Took photos to show the light also came on.

 

[Madrab]

OK -

1. Standard 1700x700 baths usually hold about ~170L of water. With a cylinder @ 120L then yes, it will struggle to fill the bath to the proper level, temp dependent
2. the programmer timer will run through the night, powering the bottom element, that should heat up the whole cylinder using cheaper off peak leccy - if more HW is required through the day, the boost control can be used and that will power the top element to heat the top 1/3rd of the cylinder for say washing, cleaning etc but that is then charged @ peak standard rate
3. the HW pressure is driven by the height of the cold water cistern above a given outlet. Typically that impacts the shower as the shower head is much higher than the other outlets. That HW though could be pumped, a small inline shower booster pump may work well for your scenario and I wouldn't worry too much about the HA for one of them.
4. the cold water will probably be mains, hence the disparity in pressure.

Inline booster

 

[LeeFL]

OK -

1. Standard 1700x700 baths usually hold about ~170L of water. With a cylinder @ 120L then yes, it will struggle to fill the bath to the proper level, temp dependent
2. the programmer timer will run through the night, powering the bottom element, that should heat up the whole cylinder using cheaper off peak leccy - if more HW is required through the day, the boost control can be used and that will power the top element to heat the top 1/3rd of the cylinder for say washing, cleaning etc but that is then charged @ peak standard rate
3. the HW pressure is driven by the height of the cold water cistern above a given outlet. Typically that impacts the shower as the shower head is much higher than the other outlets. That HW though could be pumped, a small inline shower booster pump may work well for your scenario and I wouldn't worry too much about the HA for one of them.
4. the cold water will probably be mains, hence the disparity in pressure.

Inline booster

View attachment 397090

Thank you for this information, helpful to know indeed. I will have a look into those inline boosters, are they expensive? I’m assuming a plumber will be needed to install it?

And I’m sensing my desire to get an electric shower could also be beneficial too? Actually, would I need that inline booster if were successful from Clarion in getting permission to have an electric shower installed, as that feeds off the cold doesn’t it?