Controlling multiple electric heaters centrally

[danlightbulb]

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas.

After consideration and research my proposal is as follows.

1. Install 3 of these heaters in the main living space and bedroom. They are LOT20 standard which means they have stat, timer/programmer and open window detection. That will satisfy the min requirements for the EPC. Lot20 heaters

2. Fit boost controllers to the existing panel heaters. So they won't be on plugs any more so they can't be left on all the time, but can be activated for fixed periods manually using the boost button. Boost controller

3. Fit one of the above boost controllers to the secondary water immersion heater.

4. To the primary water immersion heater, fit a timer/programmer such as Immersion timer

I could actually fit these to both immersion elements rather than a mix of one programmer and one booster.

5. Switch to octopus cosy tariff which gives 3 slots of cheaper energy in the day, then schedule the heaters and hot water to come on during these times.


Does this sound reasonable?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Does this sound reasonable?

Without much more involved changes, yes that sounds good.

 

[ebee]

YES - Whichever solution you choose it is almost always a comprise between initial costs, running costs and best comfort/practicalities you are prepared to live with - everything in life is probably like that too.
At least you have studied your choices and made an informed decision, once it is all up and running then you might decide whether or not that decision was the nearest correct it could be given all of constraints, if it actually turns out to be anywhere as you have envisaged then you have very well and you might even award yourself the Top Banana Badge .
Good luck with your endeavors.

 

[endecotp]

Is the choice of 3 X 2kW heaters based on an energy-loss calculation, or based on the output of the existing heaters, or...?

Will you be connecting the new heaters to new radial circuits?

(I see that they sell a "multipack" of 4 of those heaters "for even greater savings"... for £231.11, compared to 4 X £58.14 = £232.56, saving a massive £1.45 !!)

 

[ericmark]

Does this sound reasonable?

Yes sounds good, my domestic hot water around 40 gallons, has a single immersion heater (27"), controlled with an iboost+. The unit can run two immersion heaters, and has all sorts of options, but found all a bit OTT, I have spent a lot of money on a controller which is simply not required.

I don't use it in Winter as can't turn the oil CH boiler not to heat it even if I wanted, in summer cost 8.5p/kWh 00:30 to 05:30, and if I use solar I am not getting the 15p/kWh for export, so a simple timer would have worked better.

The same with the Willis system, using an external immersion heater seems great, gives one a variable option as to how much water one stores, if starting from scratch great, but one is unlikely to get enough pay back to every pay for the installation. There is a lot to be said for keeping it simple.

 

[plugwash]

5. Switch to octopus cosy tariff which gives 3 slots of cheaper energy in the day, then schedule the heaters and hot water to come on during these times.

Their website claims you need to own a heat pump or electric boiler to be eligable panel heaters don't seem to count
Edit I was wrpmg, the main page only mentions electric boilers or heat pumps, but the faq says "If you have a heat pump (air or ground source), an electric boiler or electric radiators at your property, you can join Cosy Octopus. If you have another system in your property, get in touch and we'll let you know if you're eligible for the tariff."

 

[danlightbulb]

Their website claims you need to own a heat pump or electric boiler to be eligable panel heaters don't seem to count
Edit I was wrpmg, the main page only mentions electric boilers or heat pumps, but the faq says "If you have a heat pump (air or ground source), an electric boiler or electric radiators at your property, you can join Cosy Octopus. If you have another system in your property, get in touch and we'll let you know if you're eligible for the tariff."

Its uncertain on the tariff actually. The website does state electric radiators indeed, but the T&C only state heat pump, and my partner did phone them to ask about it and they said no. We are going to do it online and see.

Don't see what difference it makes to octopus whether we use a few cheap kWh running a panel heater or running a heat pump. It's the same from their side.

 

[robinbanks]

Don't see what difference it makes to octopus whether we use a few cheap kWh running a panel heater or running a heat pump. It's the same from their side.

Birmingham Midshires give you quarter a percent off your BTL mortgage if the property is EPC B or better

 

[ericmark]

Its uncertain on the tariff actually

Had the same, was with British Gas, and they suggested their EV tariff, I moved to Octopus, and they were suggesting Flux, I looked carefully, and it would require me to mess around charging the battery during the day to ensure I did not use DNO power 4 pm to 7 pm, and the EV tariff (Go) I could basic forget about it and let the battery run out without paying a premium.

They asked if I have an EV and I say yes I have two e-bikes, and they seemed satisfied, son has intelligent go, and for that you need to give them control of when the car charges, so he pays I think 6p where I pay 8.5p per kWh, if you don't get the car off Octopus its 7p.

But, my problem with British Gas, was once I signed up for their EV tariff, I was stuck with it for a year, or pay £75 to move before the year was out. My problem was BG would not pay me for the export, but in your case you're going to rent, and you, I assume, have no idea who will rent it, and if they are out at work most of the day, what they require, is very different to someone who has retired. So to sign up for a tariff before you know what is required is jumping the gun a bit.