Whats the purpose of the switch in my hallway next to boiler

[Mickey_blue]

Hi all, this might be a really silly question but im a amateur. I've my living at my flat for all my life and have always wondered what this switch i have in the hallway is for. It is right below the thermostat and outside the boiler room. It has a orange light above it. My parents say its to speed up the rate at which the water heats up. Is this true or are they nuts!? Cheers!!!

 

[ollski]

Immersion heater

 

[Nige F]

not silly at all.........yes it`s probably an electric immersion heater switch, and having that turned on as well as the (gas?) heating will speed up the rate at which the hot water for the taps(in the copper cylinder) heats up. Because you then have 2 heat sources going into the water..If you`re interested in plumbing, go for it (whatever age you are) I did, and I can tell you it`s not such hard graft now as it was in the 70`s when I started

 

[Mickey_blue]

Cheer!! makes much more sense now. i was considering getting into plumbing. my mate is a plumber. makes big bucks!!