Best option for electric only water heating

[ginola]

What are the options available for heating our water, we do not have mains gas, or an oil tank, so electric is our only option, although we do have a couple of open fires.

It needs to feed a bath, 2 basins and the kitchen sink.

It is possible that we may also run a wet CH system too, but not sure yet.

We've looked at flow boilers, unvented water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and thermal stores, but would really appreciate some experienced advice.

 

[foxhole]

You could install oil container or have a solid fuel boiler, so electric is not only option.

http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/key-choices/heating/hot-water

 

[endecotp]

Or LPG, or solar, or a heat pump.

If I were you, I'd start by looking at what off-peak tariffs are available. Then decide if you want to use that, i.e. with storage heaters and a tank that's heated during the night, or whether you're prepared to pay "full price" for heating at the time of use.

How much space do you have for a cylinder? How many baths or showers will you use per day?

What do you have currently? How much of it is re-usable?

 

[JohnD]

how do you heat the house? Storage heaters? If so you should be on an Economy 7 or similar tariff with cheap night electricity.

Presumably you have a hot water cylinder. How big is it, and what colour?

 

[ginola]

At the moment we have the 2 open fires, and some old storage heaters no hot water, it's a new project.

 

[JohnD]

I would explore storage heaters and a large cylinder or thermal store.

You may be able to incorporate a multifuel boiler, which will certainly be able to heat a cylinder, and may do some radiators as well, if a big one. It will need quite a lot of fuel if you use wood.

If you are rural you may find a local source.

Storage heaters are a very annoying source of heat.