Hot water in shower but not taps

[jaimelee]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me with some advice.....

I recently moved into a flat which only has electricity, no gas. The water is set to heat overnight on a timer (economy 7). I have hot water in my shower everyday but no hot water coming through any of the taps. If I 'boost' the water heating during the day I can get hot water through the taps but this is heated at a premium cost. Surely the water heated overnight should flow to both the shower and the taps? It would be great to get your thoughts....

Thanks

 

[WaterTight]

electric shower heating water instantaneously? thus problem with immersion? does cylinder get hot to touch?

 

[dontknowitall]

Was just about to reply but refreshed screen first - must admit I hadn't thought of an electric shower. My suggestion (same as WaterTight's) is the immersion heater for the Economy 7 (lower heater) has stopped functioning and quickest (and probably cheapest) fix is to drain the cylinder then replace it.

 

[jaimelee]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll check tonight to see if the immersion gets hot. If i need to replace it do you have any idea how much it should cost?

 

[dontknowitall]

If you're calling out an independent plumber and the job goes easily around £70 all in. If he can't turn off the water supply to the tank easily or encounters hassle when draining it then it's around £20-£30 an hour on top of this. Also he might suggest you change the top one as well as they often fail within months of each other.

9 times out of 10 you should see change from £100.

 

[Avatar]

er, if he is a proper plumber he will be charging £40 per hour plus I think - be highly suspicious of anyone with an hourly rate lower than that, i would say . . .

 

[dontknowitall]

Where I live (in a rural cave with more sheep than people in these parts) it's £40-50 callout/first hour, then around £20£25 an hour and £150-£180 a day. This is for most construction trades (electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators, tilers, etc). Granted some people charge more and some much less (one or two only ask £100 for a day's work!) but in the rural areas (Devon, Cornwall, Norfolk, Wales, ***bria, etc) these prices seem fairly standard.

Perhaps that explains why most of us drive around in clapped out cars and ancient vans. My van's 3 years old and is far newer than other vans owned by people I work with and is also newer than just about all my competitors' chariots.