FabSwingers.com mobile

Join us FREE, we're FREE to use

Web's largest swingers site since 2006.

Already registered?
Login here

Back to forum list
Back to Swinging Support and Advice

Electricity usage overnight

Jump to newest
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

So I've googled and cant find any useful information. Any plumbers/electricians can advise me please.

Live in a small one bed flat, all electric no gas. Due to cost of living I'm trying to keep my electricity usage down. Looking at my bills I tend to use 2 units during the day but my current usage at night is around 5-6 units (12am-7am is Economy 7 tariff) which I cant work out why its more than double what I use during the day?

The only things switched on at night are the fridge, wifi and my little water tank which heats up at night.

Do you think this water tank is the guilty party? Is 5 units alot? Too much?

TIA

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *abasaurus RexMan
over a year ago

Gloucestershire

If it’s an electric water heater yeah definitely. Heating with electricity is an intensive use case.

If your shower is an electric self heating one you may be better off turning off the water heater during the warmer months and boiling the kettle (with just as much as you need at the time) for other stuff.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?"

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more "

Oh. So Ive no options then

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more

Oh. So Ive no options then "

Many showers have water heaters inside of them. Perhaps you could find the manufacturer and model, then post it?

The units used to a good guide but economy 7 units are cheaper than prime time regular units. How does the total nighttime costs com0are to the daytime costs?

In the day, in hot weather, your fridge and freezer may be using a lot of power. I keep my room as cool as possible to reduce it.

If your shower is heating the water, you may not need the water heating at night, except for use in the washing machine. I run my washer at night, as it's quiet enough, with economy 7, so don't heat my water.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *en_Dover79Man
over a year ago

Oswaldtwistle

switch wifi off when your not using it.. every bit helps

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Is your water boiling hot so you need to use cold as a mix turn the temperature down so it's hot enough to touch without having to use cold water it's sensible....

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ll 4 herCouple
over a year ago

Bury/Bolton

When you wash your hands do you use hot or cold water tap? I've noticed we used the hot tap more often than not, by the time the hot water comes through we've finished washing, or worse we used to run off the cool in the pipes til hot comes through. So wash hands in cold water when you can.

Why? If you have a 100 litre tank of hot water there will also be a few litres in the pipes, if you run off 30 litres during the day your tank will top up with cold water that 30 litres reducing the overall temp of the water in the tank using that much more energy to heat it back up.

Same as washing dishes so many run the hot tap til the water gets hot, then add cold to cool it down every bit of water in the pipes will need to be replaced in the tank, so try to use the cooler water in the pipes to start, rather than add cold at the end.

Also if you have a temp gauge on the tank lower it a couple of degrees and see if you can change the timer so it comes on and cycles to temp as late in the economy 7 window as you can without it running in the day window.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more

Oh. So Ive no options then

Many showers have water heaters inside of them. Perhaps you could find the manufacturer and model, then post it?

The units used to a good guide but economy 7 units are cheaper than prime time regular units. How does the total nighttime costs com0are to the daytime costs?

In the day, in hot weather, your fridge and freezer may be using a lot of power. I keep my room as cool as possible to reduce it.

If your shower is heating the water, you may not need the water heating at night, except for use in the washing machine. I run my washer at night, as it's quiet enough, with economy 7, so don't heat my water. "

I've checked,, theres no make/model on my shower. The flat is quite old, as looks the shower! Im just presuming the shower uses water from the tank, when that runs cold it'll be cold showers for me lol.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"switch wifi off when your not using it.. every bit helps"

Good idea, thanks

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Is your water boiling hot so you need to use cold as a mix turn the temperature down so it's hot enough to touch without having to use cold water it's sensible...."

Yes its too hot to be honest

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"When you wash your hands do you use hot or cold water tap? I've noticed we used the hot tap more often than not, by the time the hot water comes through we've finished washing, or worse we used to run off the cool in the pipes til hot comes through. So wash hands in cold water when you can.

Why? If you have a 100 litre tank of hot water there will also be a few litres in the pipes, if you run off 30 litres during the day your tank will top up with cold water that 30 litres reducing the overall temp of the water in the tank using that much more energy to heat it back up.

Same as washing dishes so many run the hot tap til the water gets hot, then add cold to cool it down every bit of water in the pipes will need to be replaced in the tank, so try to use the cooler water in the pipes to start, rather than add cold at the end.

Also if you have a temp gauge on the tank lower it a couple of degrees and see if you can change the timer so it comes on and cycles to temp as late in the economy 7 window as you can without it running in the day window.

"

I turned off the water tank last night to see if it made a difference and I didnt use one unit! So the water tank is clearly the culprit.

Good idea about using the cooler water in the cold tap first.

Will try and lower the temperature too, need to speak to landlord

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ogloverMan
over a year ago

Worstead

As your flat is old does the hot water tank have a jacket round it? If not get one fitted as this will reduce the heat lost during the day and so reduce the amount of electric needed to heat the water back up.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *asterandGenieCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more

Oh. So Ive no options then

Many showers have water heaters inside of them. Perhaps you could find the manufacturer and model, then post it?

The units used to a good guide but economy 7 units are cheaper than prime time regular units. How does the total nighttime costs com0are to the daytime costs?

In the day, in hot weather, your fridge and freezer may be using a lot of power. I keep my room as cool as possible to reduce it.

If your shower is heating the water, you may not need the water heating at night, except for use in the washing machine. I run my washer at night, as it's quiet enough, with economy 7, so don't heat my water.

I've checked,, theres no make/model on my shower. The flat is quite old, as looks the shower! Im just presuming the shower uses water from the tank, when that runs cold it'll be cold showers for me lol.

"

If you can see the water pipes that feed the shower and there are 2 then it’s definitely using the hot water from the tank as it’s hot water source.

Trouble is a shower with a built in heater needs a much bigger power supply than one without so you can’t just swap the shower for a heating one

M

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe


"

If you can see the water pipes that feed the shower and there are 2 then it’s definitely using the hot water from the tank as it’s hot water source.

Trouble is a shower with a built in heater needs a much bigger power supply than one without so you can’t just swap the shower for a heating one

M"

Most Mixer showers will not have an electrical supply at all, you just switch in a tap. An electric shower uses much more electricity than an emersion heater (water tank), but ONLY for the time that it is running... so minutes rather than hours.


"I turned off the water tank last night to see if it made a difference and I didnt use one unit! So the water tank is clearly the culprit.

Good idea about using the cooler water in the cold tap first.

Will try and lower the temperature too, need to speak to landlord "

If you can access the tank (usually in the loft) there is usually a thermostat attached either to the heater element on the top or as a box on the side, this will have a small knob or screw that you can turn to alter the temperature... if you search youtube there are many videos showing how to do this.

Cal

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"As your flat is old does the hot water tank have a jacket round it? If not get one fitted as this will reduce the heat lost during the day and so reduce the amount of electric needed to heat the water back up. "

I'll suggest it to the landlord when I speak to him next, thank you

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?

That costs more. Water will heat to the temperature it’s set at. If it’s a constant warm it takes less to heat it back up. If you’re heating from cold each time it costs a lot more

Oh. So Ive no options then

Many showers have water heaters inside of them. Perhaps you could find the manufacturer and model, then post it?

The units used to a good guide but economy 7 units are cheaper than prime time regular units. How does the total nighttime costs com0are to the daytime costs?

In the day, in hot weather, your fridge and freezer may be using a lot of power. I keep my room as cool as possible to reduce it.

If your shower is heating the water, you may not need the water heating at night, except for use in the washing machine. I run my washer at night, as it's quiet enough, with economy 7, so don't heat my water.

I've checked,, theres no make/model on my shower. The flat is quite old, as looks the shower! Im just presuming the shower uses water from the tank, when that runs cold it'll be cold showers for me lol.

If you can see the water pipes that feed the shower and there are 2 then it’s definitely using the hot water from the tank as it’s hot water source.

Trouble is a shower with a built in heater needs a much bigger power supply than one without so you can’t just swap the shower for a heating one

M"

2 pipes so its using the tank. As its not my flat Im sort of stuck with it. Im not normally this tight with money but as im not working at the moment i'm literally trying to save every penny where I can. thank you for responding

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"

If you can see the water pipes that feed the shower and there are 2 then it’s definitely using the hot water from the tank as it’s hot water source.

Trouble is a shower with a built in heater needs a much bigger power supply than one without so you can’t just swap the shower for a heating one

M

Most Mixer showers will not have an electrical supply at all, you just switch in a tap. An electric shower uses much more electricity than an emersion heater (water tank), but ONLY for the time that it is running... so minutes rather than hours.

I turned off the water tank last night to see if it made a difference and I didnt use one unit! So the water tank is clearly the culprit.

Good idea about using the cooler water in the cold tap first.

Will try and lower the temperature too, need to speak to landlord

If you can access the tank (usually in the loft) there is usually a thermostat attached either to the heater element on the top or as a box on the side, this will have a small knob or screw that you can turn to alter the temperature... if you search youtube there are many videos showing how to do this.

Cal"

Ive just spoken to the manufacturer of the water tank and theyve talked me through how to lower the temperature, which I have done. Hopefully this might make a little difference, thank you Cal

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe


"

If you can see the water pipes that feed the shower and there are 2 then it’s definitely using the hot water from the tank as it’s hot water source.

Trouble is a shower with a built in heater needs a much bigger power supply than one without so you can’t just swap the shower for a heating one

M

Most Mixer showers will not have an electrical supply at all, you just switch in a tap. An electric shower uses much more electricity than an emersion heater (water tank), but ONLY for the time that it is running... so minutes rather than hours.

I turned off the water tank last night to see if it made a difference and I didnt use one unit! So the water tank is clearly the culprit.

Good idea about using the cooler water in the cold tap first.

Will try and lower the temperature too, need to speak to landlord

If you can access the tank (usually in the loft) there is usually a thermostat attached either to the heater element on the top or as a box on the side, this will have a small knob or screw that you can turn to alter the temperature... if you search youtube there are many videos showing how to do this.

Cal

Ive just spoken to the manufacturer of the water tank and theyve talked me through how to lower the temperature, which I have done. Hopefully this might make a little difference, thank you Cal"

It might also be worth asking your landlord if he would install an electric shower..

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"

It might also be worth asking your landlord if he would install an electric shower.. "

He's normally very forthcoming but I dont think he'll shell out for one

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe


"

It might also be worth asking your landlord if he would install an electric shower..

He's normally very forthcoming but I dont think he'll shell out for one"

You never know until you ask... it would be an investment in his property and depending on the available electrics, not necessarily expensive to do.

Cal

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *onlywishiMan
over a year ago

Newcastle

Try telling him you think the old shower isn’t working properly and may need a new one due to health and safety? Might work if everything is old ?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *andAukCouple
over a year ago

leeds

Also maybe ask about one of those small water heaters by the kitchen sink as well. The ones which heat on demand. This is a cheaper option for washing pots and your hands. Or an electric tap like a quooker. There are much cheaper options available these days.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ary_ArgyllMan
over a year ago

Argyll

[Removed by poster at 11/08/22 19:26:33]

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ary_ArgyllMan
over a year ago

Argyll

Sry just saw my suggestion to adjust thermostat down has already been made, hope it helps you a bit but make sure water is heating to 55 degrees otherwise there is a risk of Legionella. It's worth checking the actual water temp with a thermometer because the tank thermostats are not always that accurate.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle


"Is your water boiling hot so you need to use cold as a mix turn the temperature down so it's hot enough to touch without having to use cold water it's sensible....

Yes its too hot to be honest"

Then turn it down you'll notice in summer also water stays at its temperature most boiler's have a summer winter switch as well but when it doesn't you need to do it yourself it's really helpful at cutting costs

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Switching OFF wifi, cold water showers... what a fucking state of affairs!

Am I the only person wondering how much profit the energy companies are going to declare, after the Government donated billions on our behalf to partially cover their price rises?

Just nationalise the twats and have done with it.

Big business is sucking the money out of the world's financial system. Trillions in quantitative easing, now more billions in direct help. Where the fuck is all this money going?? ... into the pockets of a few who want faster jets, bigger yachts, fucking space ships now!!

The world has gone mad. Diesel at it's highest price ever when Shell, BP etc are declaring record profits the same day! Big business is clearly displaying absolute contempt, assuming it has the right to make ever increasing profit at the expense of all of us!

My view is, pick one of them and boycott them. Cut the income stream of BP dead and see how quick they bring prices back down to reality!

To me this is just companies who missed out during the pandemic shutdown making up for lost profit. Money they never had that they feel they are entitled to.

British gas? French gas more like. How long would centrica hold prices up declaring record profits if WE forced them to compete by all switching from them?

Something has to give because as we are clearly seeing, greedy fuckers won't voluntarily stop being greedy. Maybe instead of taxing them just force companies to pay a percentage of profits to employees and spread that wealth round a little further!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *penbicoupleCouple
over a year ago

Northampton


"Switching OFF wifi, cold water showers... what a fucking state of affairs!

Am I the only person wondering how much profit the energy companies are going to declare, after the Government donated billions on our behalf to partially cover their price rises?"

It's only going to get worse. Truss ruled out any windfall taxes today.

She also clearly chose to side with big business, rather than the person in the street. Massive case of not reading the room!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *razytimesinloveCouple
over a year ago

SW Scotland


"Sry just saw my suggestion to adjust thermostat down has already been made, hope it helps you a bit but make sure water is heating to 55 degrees otherwise there is a risk of Legionella. It's worth checking the actual water temp with a thermometer because the tank thermostats are not always that accurate."

I thought it had to be above 70 ?

Instead of cold showers just cut your time down having a shower.

Also look at making sure your pipework is well insulated.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *asterandGenieCouple
over a year ago

Norfolk


"Sry just saw my suggestion to adjust thermostat down has already been made, hope it helps you a bit but make sure water is heating to 55 degrees otherwise there is a risk of Legionella. It's worth checking the actual water temp with a thermometer because the tank thermostats are not always that accurate.

I thought it had to be above 70 ?

Instead of cold showers just cut your time down having a shower.

Also look at making sure your pipework is well insulated. "

HSE recommends 60c the bacteria multiplies up to 45c

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ucka39Man
over a year ago

Newcastle

Legionella bacteria is commonly found in water. The bacteria multiply where temperatures are between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *lirtymr_mrsCouple
over a year ago

Stockton-on-Tees

As this is about saving money not energy it's worth remembering that economy 7 night time rate is significantly cheaper, so changing to using an instant hot water tap or shower will cost you more money even if it uses less energy (unless you have all your showers after midnight).

5 units to heat a hot water tank sounds about right. The only way to use less energy is to reduce loss by insulating the tank and using less water.

Reducing the hot water temperature it heats to will save money because you are storing less energy as heat. The perfect temperature from an efficiency perspective is one where you can have a shower without mixing in any cold water and end the day with no hot water left in the tank, if you run out of hot water then up the temperature a bit so that more energy is stored.

I saved 2 units a night on economy 7 by adding a second hot water tank insulation blanket to the existing insulation on the tank, and insulating all accessible hot water pipes. Pipe insulation made water at the tap 2c hotter as well. Costs are minimal so it's probably the quickest payback energy efficiency job you can do.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *xtrafun4youMan
over a year ago

Dunstable

I can solve it invite me to keep you warm.

Not serious. Normally water heaters run about 3 kw so that's 3 units of electric a hour. If it's a normal cylinder the thermostat in lower in the cylinder so say it's a quarter up. You will heat 3/4 before its turns off. Try cutting the time you heat it and keep the shower time shorter. So in short if it takes 1 hour to heat to to 3/4. You may only need a quarter for you shower (with the cold water your adding) so you might only need, 20 30 minutes to heat what you need. That will cut you energy in half. Hope this helps

Pms welcome.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *umbriaman1962Man
over a year ago

outside of penrith

Get meter checked ours was wired wrong way daytime been shown as night . Night us as daytime. We kept quiet as saved us money and as there mistake could not back date it

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ichaelsmyMan
over a year ago

douglas

Insulation in the water tank?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ootprints1629Couple
over a year ago

somewhere in moray


"So I've googled and cant find any useful information. Any plumbers/electricians can advise me please.

Live in a small one bed

flat, all electric no gas. Due to cost of

living I'm trying to keep my electricity usage down. Looking at my bills I tend to use 2 units during the day but my current usage at night is around 5-6 units (12am-7am is Economy 7 tariff) which I cant work out why its more than double what I use during the day?

The only things switched on at night are the fridge, wifi and my little water tank which heats up at night.

Do you think this water tank is the guilty party? Is 5 units alot? Too much?

TIA

"

I'm no electrician however the last house we were in also an electric water heater which got us into real problems financially, we were the same, WiFi, fridge and one light on upstairs for the kids at night, the usage was astronomical, so yep it is likely that causing it.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *iverscuMan
over a year ago

Berkshire

Check the temperature the water is set to. Try turning it down if is set to max.

Beautiful pictures btw x

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ary_ArgyllMan
over a year ago

Argyll

That temperature will certainly kill Legionella almost instantly but you don't need to do that as the water is sitting in the tank. At 55 Legionella bacteria will be killed in about 10 minutes so will not build up in the tank.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *itygamesMan
over a year ago

UK


"switch wifi off when your not using it.. every bit helps

Good idea, thanks"

i wouldnt...means you have to re activate stuff again, ie my cctv camera isnt recognised when i turn my wifi on /n off

wi fi is 0.3p a day .

nobody has really / actually answered your question, i dont know either , i thought economy 7 stored heat at night to distribute through the day as its cheaper at night to heat .

can you not go on to your energy suppliers website , add your postcode/open an account and all the info will be there.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *astmale123Man
over a year ago

Parkhead Glasgow

Yeah definitely the water heater, one option becomming popular in Germany is to heat the watertank with a dc element driven directly from solar panels, with an ac element to top up the heat if needed. Going dc means no expensive inverter electronics, just a fuse and length of wire. Depending on the number of panels some house holds drop 60% or more on electric bill.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ig1gaz1Man
over a year ago

bradford

As the place isnt yours the cheapest solution is to use 4" insulation.

You want as much insulation loosely packed into the airing cupboard.

if the cylinder is close to the wall use bubble wrap and 4" insulation pack the rest of with insulation in there

Note you will lose your drying airing cupboard as clothes wont dry off as quick anymore.

After that is done you can test it, then try 2-3 times a day switch off and switch on.

You have a mixer shower tank fed.

You may ask the landlord for an electric shower.

They have no obligation to fit one in, As you already have a working shower.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Probably cheaper to set water just over 60 degrees c to kill legionnaires and leave it on constant. That way it will only keep it warm rather than reheat

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

2 day units and 6 night isnt much ...60p day £1.20 night aporox so under £2 per day just now id say low user but electric units are a lot more than few years ago...so with standing charge approx £75 per month just now

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *herryEatersCouple
over a year ago

East Cheshire


"Right I didnt realise it would use as much as it appears to be.

I think my shower runs off the water tank (it takes forever for the water to get hot to begin with) so assuming its not electric therefore I dont think switching the water tank off completely is an option. Rather than it heating every night I suppose I could just run it empty then reheat it?"

Our water tank (immersion heater) was set to run for 7 HOURS overnight when we moved in . We quickly changed that to just one hour early morning just before the economy7 switches rates . It's mad hot when we wake...

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *lex46TV/TS
over a year ago

Near Wells

I'm not on economy 7 but as above I switch the water heater on when I get out of bed in the morning.

I'll have breakfast, make food for work etc then the last thing I do before I leave the house is have a shower. That's about an hour, after the shower I turn the water off. I'm using an average of 4 units in 24 Hours at the moment.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *eedshandymanMan
over a year ago

leeds

Fit a combi boiler forget that economy 7 shite

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *illnatMan
over a year ago

wherever i need to be

water heating does take a lot of leccie, however with the way things are going I’m seriously looking at how to get my 15-20 units a day on normal rate down.

Apparently a tv just on standby uses about £36 per year (in old rates so triple that now) so if I look around my room, tv and sky always plugged in, smart speaker, smart lighting control system and wifi all drawing small amounts whilst doing pretty much nothing. Add in working from home and PCs, monitors and printers in other rooms and… ouch.

Already changed to a more modern heating system and LED lighting throughout the house. Can’t do much more than completely insulate the house and install solar. Lol

Worth going room but room and only switching things on when they are needed. Considering what the increase could be tomorrow… in Tesco style…

every little helps.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ornucopiaMan
over a year ago

Bexley


"Legionella bacteria is commonly found in water. The bacteria multiply where temperatures are between 20-45°C and nutrients are available. The bacteria are dormant below 20°C and do not survive above 60°C."

Handy scaremongering facts which are obviously very beneficial to the hot water industry!

I don't heat any water from late March to late October. I have an electric shower, usually on its low setting, which I run for exrtemely short periods.

I wash up and do laundry with cold water using appropriate detergents. I don't eat anything much that makes plates greasy!

My electricity bill for the last 3 months (Yes, I pay quarterly in arrears so no ludicrous loans to them by inflated standing order)is £125 and I won't be paying that until the final demand. At my age I could die in the interim and leave it for my heirs to pay, so no point in rushing to settle up!

I'm a bit lax about leaving loads of chargers and other PSUs running all the time and have two fridges on the go. Plus an LED light on the landing all night but no telly, of course so it's I miracle that I even know about the plight of others!

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *astmale123Man
over a year ago

Parkhead Glasgow

Yeah i surprised me how much they jacked up the standing charge, nearly trebled over night, which means a big chunk of the bill is not related to usage...

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Switch the electric off and have a gangbang to keep warm

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have you got any storage heaters in your flat? If so, eco7 tariff will be powering then overnight, when the electricity is at its cheapest rate.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

Storage heaters are horrible, my housing association ripped them out, because the took over the previouys ones who said ESTs were really great. They are crap and always go cold at 9pm.

I've got full on gch now.

Get an oil filled radiator, if that's the case.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough

Money saving expert will be a good site for you to visit.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yea storage heaters aernt ideal nowadays, although most that are installed now are still the same ones that were installed 20+ years ago, so they are old and uneconomical.

Oil filled are a good option but they can’t really be run on a eco 7 tariff nowadays because the newer radiators rely on WiFi thermostats that need a permanently live electric supply.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough


"Yea storage heaters aernt ideal nowadays, although most that are installed now are still the same ones that were installed 20+ years ago, so they are old and uneconomical.

Oil filled are a good option but they can’t really be run on a eco 7 tariff nowadays because the newer radiators rely on WiFi thermostats that need a permanently live electric supply. "

Buy the ones that are not wifi enabled.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *I TwoCouple
over a year ago

PDI 12-26th Nov 24


"Yea storage heaters aernt ideal nowadays, although most that are installed now are still the same ones that were installed 20+ years ago, so they are old and uneconomical.

Oil filled are a good option but they can’t really be run on a eco 7 tariff nowadays because the newer radiators rely on WiFi thermostats that need a permanently live electric supply. "

I don't know where you got that information, but modern storage rads are much more efficient.

Storage heaters are designed only to heat on economy 7 and the controls work separately to release the heat.

Oil filled radiators will of course work on economy 7 but it's not much use as they can only be used at night !

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Yea storage heaters aernt ideal nowadays, although most that are installed now are still the same ones that were installed 20+ years ago, so they are old and uneconomical.

Oil filled are a good option but they can’t really be run on a eco 7 tariff nowadays because the newer radiators rely on WiFi thermostats that need a permanently live electric supply.

Buy the ones that are not wifi enabled."

What he said ^^^ nothing but trouble anyway from experience.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ornucopiaMan
over a year ago

Bexley

[Removed by poster at 02/12/22 10:04:59]

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ornucopiaMan
over a year ago

Bexley


"Yea storage heaters aernt ideal nowadays, although most that are installed now are still the same ones that were installed 20+ years ago, so they are old and uneconomical.

Oil filled are a good option but they can’t really be run on a eco 7 tariff nowadays because the newer radiators rely on WiFi thermostats that need a permanently live electric supply.

I don't know where you got that information, but modern storage rads are much more efficient.

Storage heaters are designed only to heat on economy 7 and the controls work separately to release the heat.

Oil filled radiators will of course work on economy 7 but it's not much use as they can only be used at night !"

I can't really see why older storage heaters, per se, are less efficient.

They all convert electricity into heat which then dissipates into your home.

Inefficiency comes into the equation if you heat your home at the wrong time of day. so much depends on your lifestyle. As a general rule, storage heaters are not much use if you are out at work all day, unless you have a 'storage' home which loses next to no heat to the outside world before you get back in.

I have some storage heaters in my family home elsewhere (the power comes from a nuclear station in France but still not cheap because we are not French) which have a flap which can be opened by a control to release stored heat. These also have the advantage of not making the room too hot during the night while the heater is being warmed up. Even older and less sophisticated storage heaters were fine if you happened to need heat at the time they were being charged up.

Regarding oil filled heaters, I have one here, downstairs, which is now switched on for the winter. It is on a setting just above 'frost' and is underneath, but out of contact with, a clothes airer. The small amount of heat from it goes on a useful journey upwards.

Remember, everything electrical in the house helps keep the place warm in winter. It is during summer that leaving things switched on is wasteful.

Also, fewer things are more wasteful than letting hot or warm water run straight down a plughole! Bathrooms need a copper heat exchanger under the floor between the plugholes and the wastepipe but I've yet to see or hear of one.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ffanotdykeCouple
over a year ago

Telford

For once an interesting topic.

I closely monitor my electricity usage to the point of being paranoid and I keep a log of the costs. Since Sept the weekly cost has increased by over 75%. I would normally expect to see a 25% increase as I enter the winter period but the extra 50% plus is filling the pockets of the power companies.

Dont get me started on the cost of fuel for my car. Diesel, in the last twelve months has gone from being 5p a litre cheaper than petrol to 25p dearer. Petrol and diesel both start out from the same raw material but petrol costs more to process!!!!!!

Shroppie

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *orny PTMan
over a year ago

Peterborough


"For once an interesting topic.

I closely monitor my electricity usage to the point of being paranoid and I keep a log of the costs. Since Sept the weekly cost has increased by over 75%. I would normally expect to see a 25% increase as I enter the winter period but the extra 50% plus is filling the pockets of the power companies.

Dont get me started on the cost of fuel for my car. Diesel, in the last twelve months has gone from being 5p a litre cheaper than petrol to 25p dearer. Petrol and diesel both start out from the same raw material but petrol costs more to process!!!!!!

Shroppie"

It's the same story with lager versus ale and bitter: lager is always cheaper, yet as above the same ingredients and a slightly different yeast.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *illnatMan
over a year ago

wherever i need to be

Old v new storage heaters. It’s a good topic and considering leccie is considered more carbon friendly than gas it may be a way forward. Also considering new build homes won’t be allowed to have gas boilers in the future then all heating will be electric if some sort (air / ground source heat pumps as an example)

New storage heaters have added insulation in them and decent controls which mean the heat only comes out when needed. Gone are the days that you can burn yourself on a storage heater new ones are only warm to touch and not scalding. The heat is pushed into the room by a fan.

Quantum’s are apparently 30- 40% more efficient than the older style heaters and have seen that in my own home where I replaced the old ones with quantums.

The big issue here is the cost of off peak energy. The latest price change has seen normal rates go down very slightly but off peak go up so making it more expensive for places like the Scottish Highlands and Islands to heat their homes as they are off the gas grid!

The government needs to get a fracking grip on the costs of it won’t matter what fuel is used we will all be in ice boxes.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ab50Man
over a year ago

bexhill

Immersion heater needs to be at 65°C to kill of Legionella..

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

Have a Smart Meter fitted to your supply asap; power that is supplied off-peak will be much cheaper, even cheaper than Economy 7.

It will be much cheaper to avoid electricity usage from 4-7pm each day.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *d59michelleTV/TS
over a year ago

walsall


"switch wifi off when your not using it.. every bit helps"

Can affect your speed by doing this?

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *ig1gaz1Man
over a year ago

bradford


"Old v new storage heaters. It’s a good topic and considering leccie is considered more carbon friendly than gas it may be a way forward. Also considering new build homes won’t be allowed to have gas boilers in the future then all heating will be electric if some sort (air / ground source heat pumps as an example)

New storage heaters have added insulation in them and decent controls which mean the heat only comes out when needed. Gone are the days that you can burn yourself on a storage heater new ones are only warm to touch and not scalding. The heat is pushed into the room by a fan.

Quantum’s are apparently 30- 40% more efficient than the older style heaters and have seen that in my own home where I replaced the old ones with quantums.

The big issue here is the cost of off peak energy. The latest price change has seen normal rates go down very slightly but off peak go up so making it more expensive for places like the Scottish Highlands and Islands to heat their homes as they are off the gas grid!

The government needs to get a fracking grip on the costs of it won’t matter what fuel is used we will all be in ice boxes. "

since you are northern you should check before you state anything

heat pumps still do need a heat supply to run this is either done by an emersion heater supply or by emmersion heater element installed into them

otherwise your sat cold as it cant scrape the heat from outside supply

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *layful HarlequinMan
over a year ago

iver heath

Storage heaters ??

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 

By *izandpaulCouple
over a year ago

merseyside

Have a chat to your landlord about installing a new electric shower that only has a cold feed, modern electric showers are much better but will need a new feed from your fuse box.

A new boiler, will depend if you have water filled radiators or electric radiators but if you only use a boiler for hot water out of taps then they don't cost the earth and are not too expensive to fit.

Your landlord would obviously need all checks and certificates.

We have done all this in a flat we rent out and it's saved our tenant quite a bit.

As the old saying goes, if you don't ask, you don't get.

Good luck.

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
 
 

By *izandpaulCouple
over a year ago

merseyside


"Have a chat to your landlord about installing a new electric shower that only has a cold feed, modern electric showers are much better but will need a new feed from your fuse box.

A new boiler, will depend if you have water filled radiators or electric radiators but if you only use a boiler for hot water out of taps then they don't cost the earth and are not too expensive to fit.

Your landlord would obviously need all checks and certificates.

We have done all this in a flat we rent out and it's saved our tenant quite a bit.

As the old saying goes, if you don't ask, you don't get.

Good luck."

Oops sorry.

Should have read your post properly.

The boiler I mentioned is gas fed and see you only have electric.

If you have the time pop along to a plumbers merchants not B&Q and ask them for advice on a new boiler for hot water feed and new shower.

Take a photo of your old boiler, tank, radiators, shower and a photo of your fuse box.

They are very helpful and will make some suggestions.

You could then approach your landlord fully armed with current information.

We got a great deal on a new boiler and shower unit from plumb base.

I know it's not fair but if your landlord refuses to replace shower maybe consider offering to buy the shower unit yourself and he fits it, or an electrician does it.

If you are heating a tank of water with an immersion heater each time you need a shower the saving on electricity using a modern, on demand electric shower unit will pay for itself in time, not the best option for you but hopefully your landlord will see a new modern shower unit as an investment.

Hope you get sorted. X

Reply privatelyReply in forumReply +quote
Post new Message to Thread
back to top