Immersion heater advice please

[nbdoris]

Hello,

I have recently installed Solar PV panels on my roof. I have been advised to use an immersion heater during the day to heat my hot water as it will be virtually free due to the feed in tariff. My hot water tank does not have an immersion currently. I have an Ideal Icos HE24 condensing boiler and a large hot water tank, around 200-270 litres (please see attached pic)

I would like to take this advice, but the tank is rusting quite badly on the outer skin around the "plug" where I believe the immersion would have to be installed. despite only being 9 years old.

Do you think it is worth the risk of installing the immersion (I would employ a professional plumber to carry out the work), and how likely is it the tank will be inoperable if an attempt is made to remove the plug?

All advice would be greatly appreciated
Neil

 

[leaky]

no picture i can see allways a finger crossing moment swapping an element but without seeing how bad the rust is cant really say you will need to get a plumber out who can acess the job and advise how risky it is good luck

 

[bennythedip]

You could try putting on a Willis heater which is external to the tank. One end has to be tee'd into the hot water feed coming off the top of the tank and the other end is tee'd into the supply coming into the bottom of the tank

 

[nbdoris]

Thanks for your advice. I have uploaded a picture.

 

[Howsie]

Looks like a anode to me on my iPhone.

 

[stratplus]

Using an immersion off solar panells cheaper? How many panels do you have?

 

[chris watkins]

New cylinder time !! I would go for a stainless steel one & you might want to about getting a twin coil one just in case you want solar HW or heat pump in the future.
The s/steel are not much more than the copper ones now & last, some have 25 + year warrantees.

 

[nbdoris]

Hello. I have 16 panels producing 4kw. I have heard I should use a low kw element during the day when the panels are producing power as I get that power free due to feed in tariff. Do you think the inner tank is probably ok and the rust is pretty much irrelevant to the integrity of the tank?

 

[lame plumber]

personally i would have gone for solar hot water panels first and a twin coil cylinder which you could then back up with pv panels and free electric , as it is a new twin coil cylinder would be sensible, to allow for further upgrades and should have been considered by your pv intallers as part of their advice when you first met them!!

 

[stratplus]

I agree with lame plumber. Your not always going to produce 4kw, not in the UK. A solar hot water system is usually the way to go for your hot water, topped up if required by your boiler.

 

[stratplus]

Not saying it won't work, 16 panels is a good system.

 

[MickBrown]

The problem you would have is control. If the panels produce the same power all day it would be easy, however they don't, when a cloud passes the output drops. If you put on something that uses electricity anyway then there are savings, for instance putting on your washing machine. If it is sunny all day then you may produce enough electricity for the whole cycle and save all the electricity it would normally use, however if the power drops because of cloud you may not save the whole amount but you still save. If you change something that is normally heated by a cheaper source, i.e. hot water normally heated by gas, then you have to ensure that it is on only when the panels are producing enough electricity. On a guaranteed sunny day then this may not be a problem but if it is cloudy then it could end up costing you more unless you can switch it off and on as the supply changes.

I have solar PV panels so I understand, I just ensure that the power hungry electric machines go on during the day, such as washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer. We try to put these on during sunny days but that is not always convenient, but even on a non sunny day we can still save a small amount.

 

[ne1ls0n]

if it was my cylinder i would be replacing it, the plumber might be able to fit the new immersion but it could come with a lot of trouble as that blank has been leaking badly. save yourself time and hassle and get and new one fitted. it is going to need replaced at some point.

 

[bewsh]

I wouldn't like to attempt changing that plug for an immersion, judging from the corrosion, it'll probably cause more damage. New cylinder recommended!

 

[stratplus]

You would also need to stagger the times you use your Washing machine, dryer etc don't have them all on at once because you will end up using power from the grid. If you stagger their use you have more chance of powering them from your solar panels.