New water heater wanted

[Simon Argent]

I currently have an immersion heater - which I hate.
First, it tends to come on in the middle of the night waking me up.
Secondly, I had it replaced due to a crack in my old one and the new one is too large to fit in the cupboard so the door won't close.

At present, I live on my own and use very little water from the tank. I tend to wash the dishes and wash my hands.
The shower is electric so heats its own water. Also, I believe that the washing machine also heats its own water.
The only time the bath is used is on the rare occasion I have my children for more than just the weekend.

So, I feel that the water heater I have at the moment is a huge waste of money. I have no reason to have so much water constantly heated.

So, I would like to get rid of this tank and go for an on-demand solution. This should be much smaller (an fit in my cupboard) and would have no reason to heat water up overnight keeping me awake (although I have started to turn off the tank, but this may not be cost effective as it then has to heat everything up from cold when turned back on!)

What are my options and what would be the approximate cost of a new heater?

Thank you

 

[michael c]

Your best option would actually be to remove the system you have, replacing your existing boiler with a combi boiler. The combi should go in the same place your existing boiler goes however there will be no need for the tank in your cupboard at all. how much depends on your area, property, what boiler you want and who you use. Post your location on here or on a new thread on the plumber wanted and there may be someone on herexho can give you a qoute.

 

[Simon Argent]

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately I don't think that a combi boiler would be any good for me.
My house sucks
I don't have central heating - I only have storage heaters (Upgrading these is a different project I need to look into!)
Also, I would need an electric heater as the gas only feeds my stove.

I am in the RG2 (Reading) area.

 

[erpkid]

I currently have an immersion heater - which I hate.
First, it tends to come on in the middle of the night waking me up.
Secondly, I had it replaced due to a crack in my old one and the new one is too large to fit in the cupboard so the door won't close.

At present, I live on my own and use very little water from the tank. I tend to wash the dishes and wash my hands.
The shower is electric so heats its own water. Also, I believe that the washing machine also heats its own water.
The only time the bath is used is on the rare occasion I have my children for more than just the weekend.

So, I feel that the water heater I have at the moment is a huge waste of money. I have no reason to have so much water constantly heated.

So, I would like to get rid of this tank and go for an on-demand solution. This should be much smaller (an fit in my cupboard) and would have no reason to heat water up overnight keeping me awake (although I have started to turn off the tank, but this may not be cost effective as it then has to heat everything up from cold when turned back on!)

What are my options and what would be the approximate cost of a new heater?

Thank you

You can get a very cheap timer fitted which would solve the timing issue. There are much smaller tanks around and instantaneous heaters. Timer is the cheapest option.

 

[Simon Argent]

You can get a very cheap timer fitted which would solve the timing issue. There are much smaller tanks around and instantaneous heaters. Timer is the cheapest option.

Thanks.

I have considered a timer, but this would ultimately mean that there would still be hot water being heated which isn't necessarily going to be used. I suppose at the end of the day it is more about cost versus benefit. I'll look into the timer option.

Thank you.

 

[dancinplumba]

You could have an intergas combi fitted then add radiators at a later date ?

 

[SimonG]

Undersink 15L water heater for sink and basin. Turn cylinder off when you don't have the kids. Hyco speedflow, good little units and deliver good hot water with quick recovery.

 

[michael c]

You have gas to your property so you also have the option of a gas fired multipoint water heater which acts the same as a combi but only does the water side of things.

The undersink heater simon mentions is also a good option but will only feed your sink whereas a multipoint will feed your bathroom too so it comes down to what you want.

 

[Roger Welton]

Intergas as dancin says, use just heat the water initially, then add central heating off it when you want, especially if you have gas to the property already makes sense as cost per kW is lower.

 

[erpkid]

Thanks.

I have considered a timer, but this would ultimately mean that there would still be hot water being heated which isn't necessarily going to be used. I suppose at the end of the day it is more about cost versus benefit. I'll look into the timer option.

Thank you.

The timers do have a quick flick switch that turns them off so you could fit then only turn it on when there was a likely demand knowing that it would only run for as long as you have set it.

 

[anz]

I replaced a system exactly like yours last week, hot water cylinder in upstairs airing cupboard, heated by immersion heater.
We took the old tank and replaced it with a Vokera Aquanova water heater. We obviously had to route a new gas pipe from the meter to the new heater, but this wasn't a problem and shouldn't be for you.
In your case I'd recommend an Intergas Combi, which can just act as a water heater and then in a few years time when your ready for radiators, you don't have to buy another appliance, you just simply activate the heating side.

 

[Simon Argent]

Thank you for all the suggestions. It has certainly given me a lot to think about.
I just need to see what the best option is for me - and of course what I can afford.

I would love to have central heating at some point in the near future, so a combi is probably the best bet. I may get somebody out to discuss the options and give me a quote.