Expensive heatings cost!

[xpharry]

Hi All,
I have been told that the reason I am spending a fortune on my electricity is because; when I put the heating on I have to also turn the electricity switch in the airing cupboard, that is connected to my merchant heater (I think that’s what it called! The big cylinder in the airing cupboard). If I do not turn the switch on the heating will not come on. I was told that the electricity is just reheating the water over and over again? Is this just a case of the wiring wrong and an easy fix? Or is this an expensive fix? Any ideas would be a great help. Or just point me in the right direction.
Thanks

Harry

 

[stem]

Something sounds wrong here. The hot water should have a separate controls to the heating. Water heating is best run at night using far cheaper electricity than supplied in the day. (Daytime electricity can cost 3 times as much as the "off peak" night time supply)

If your home is rented, your landlord he should be able to show you how to work it properly and provide instructions.

Otherwise a photograph of the "electricity switch" you refer to will be helpful.

Also what is the "heating" you refer to? storage radiators? panel radiators? other? a photo would help here too, if you're not sure.

Does your electricity supply have an off peak tarriff? economy 7? economy 10? If unsure your electricity bill will tell you.

The water heater fitted to a hot water cylinder is an "immersion heater", so called because it's immersed in the water

 

[kevplumb]

not an electric thermal store

 

[Bon]

As stem says, it's hard to diagnose without seeing a picture.

My stab would be that someone has spurred the boiler power supply from the FCU that supplies the immersion heater and wired it wrong.

 

[JohnD]

IF the wiring has been done in a way that makes your Immersion heater come on, that is very poor.

To try to find out, look at your electricity meter. It might have a flashing red light on it, or it might have some dials. If a light, look at the speed the red light flashes, and it will have some text beside it that says how much electricity it uses per flash (write this down so you can tell us). Count how many flashes you get per minute with the heating off (and perferably no other loads like cooker, washing machine, tumble drier, dishwasher, oven, microwave)

Then turn the switch on and count how many flasher per minute you get.

If you do not have a fashing light, you probably have a horizontal wheel and some dials. Look to see how long it takes per revolution with the heating off, and again with it on.

If you can post a pic of your electricity meter, that will help.

If you have an immersion heater, it will go into the top or side of the cylinder. There wil be a thickish rubbery flex going into a round plastric cap. Describe this or post a pifc if you can. If it is not terribly old it may be possible to turnm it down safely so that it will not come on unless teh cylinder is unusually cold.

BTW how much electricity are you using (per meter readings) in a month or a quarter?

 

[xpharry]

Hi thanks for all the quick replys, I have just got in from work and taken these photos. I will try the last coment now and let you know
Thanks again

 

[xpharry]

Hi all just uploaded a photo of my elecrticity meter.
Thanks

Harry

PS My gas and electricty bill comes to £149 per month, The last stsment I have is from 19thn Dec - 18th June was £494.14. I think I have used 3913 kWh in this time.

 

[stem]

Hi all just uploaded a photo of my elecrticity meter

We can't see it, you need to attach it to your post.

 

[kevplumb]

http://www.diynot.com/network/xpharry/albums/4046

i'm wondering why the pump is behind the cylinder

 

[xpharry]

Hi all just uploaded a photo of my elecrticity meter

We can't see it, you need to attach it to your post.

Hi Sorry all new to this I have put in my album. You can go here to view
http://www.diynot.com/network/xpharry/albums/4046

Thanks

Harry

 

[xpharry]

http://www.diynot.com/network/xpharry/albums/4046

i'm wondering why the pump is behind the cylinder

Hi kevplumb. I dont mean to sound stupid but not sure what you mean "why the pump is behind the cylinder "

Thanks

Harry

 

[doitall]

What heats the cylinder.

 

[kevplumb]

http://www.diynot.com/network/xpharry/albums/4046

i'm wondering why the pump is behind the cylinder

Hi kevplumb. I dont mean to sound stupid but not sure what you mean "why the pump is behind the cylinder "

Thanks

Harry

nothing just seems an odd place

 

[Bon]

Can you see where the thick white cable that comes out of your immersion heater runs to?

Also where does the black cable coming out of the switch go?

 

[Garfeild]

http://www.diynot.com/network/xpharry/albums/4046

i'm wondering why the pump is behind the cylinder

Cos the bloke who fitted it knew he wouldnt be the one who had to come back and change it!