Creda Comfortaire System

[gman76]

Does anyone have any idea how the above antiquated heating system works?

There is a 5 amp off peak MCB & a 50 amp on peak supply to it. There is a large switch plate with a 50 amp switch with neon labelled "heater" and a smaller non labelled switch.

Nothing appears to work without having both switches on, there is also a room stat. which seems to solely control the fan.

I'm mostly perplexed by the 5 amp off peak supply.

If anyone could shed any light on this, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JohnD]

If you search on "Electricaire" you will find the systems that used to be marketed by the old Electricity Boards.

The 50A off-peak supply will be for the heating elements, possibly heating up a big insulated block of concrete and/or a water tank.

The 5A will be for the controls, timer, and the fans that blew air through the block to heat it, and distributed the warm air through the house during the day. If the 5A controls circuit is dead then I imagine it will not heat up, for safety reasons.

IIRC these systems are fairly simple, though rather old by now, but there are specialist parts suppliers.

 

[gman76]

Thanks for the info John - I will have a look.

Did you misread my post tho? The 50a supply is on peak, we are on Economy 7, there is however a day boost control on the heater.

I hope it won't be charging 24/7 at on peak tarriff??!!

 

[JohnD]

That sounds very odd.

IF your system has a heat store, I would expect it to be charged up at cheap rate.

IF your meter supplies all the electricity in the house at cheap rate during certain hours, then the timer in the Electricaire may take care of that, plus the fact that the control circuit is off-peak.

However if you are paying full-rate electricity for your heating, it will be very expensive. Probably 2 or 3 times the running cost of Gas CH.

Electrical heating is only an economical proposition at off-peak prices.

If your system does not have a heat store then I suppose it can't do off-peak charging. I have an idea they used to put the cabinet under the stairs or in some large cupboard.

 

[gman76]

Thanks again John, there are separate tails from the meter box serving the on & off peak supplies, the heater itself has a night input control knob & AFAIKT no timer of any description (even if it were controlled by the off peak supply - I guess it would still be charging @ peak rate).

I think I need to get this sorted, as electric heating is, as you say, quite expensive as it is.

Perhaps a clamp meter would be a good place to start.

Thanks again.