Unvented Cylinder Advice

[AshleyG]

Hi,
I'm an Electrician by trade. I've just moved into a New Build flat, where there is no Gas. I have a water cylinder named ThermaQ Evocyl that has two immersion heaters. When I moved in they told me to keep the bottom immersion on all the time and use the top immersion if I needed more hot water.
There's no timer or controls for it anywhere. This seems a bit crazy to me.
Are these tanks designed to be on 24/7?
Will this destroy my electricity bill?
I feel like I want to put a timer on it, but I'd like to see what you guys think before I start altering anything.

 

[Gasmk1]

In short the cylinder holds its heat for a very long time so immersion stat once satisfied will only come on when temperature drops in the cylinder. So no your bill won’t be too much extra but you can add timers if you want

 

[snowhead]

The bottom heater would usually be on a timer and you'd have a 2 rate Electric meter for Economy 7.
Is there a timer within the Consumer unit or next to the meter?

 

[AshleyG]

There's no timers near the CCU or the meter. And currently not set up for Economy 7, but that was going to be my next question

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would ask the supplier if / what’s the prices for eco 7 then just wire the bottom into a timer / eco 7 kit

and the top into a boost switch

 

[Last Plumber]

Hi,
I'm an Electrician by trade. I've just moved into a New Build flat, where there is no Gas. I have a water cylinder named ThermaQ Evocyl that has two immersion heaters. When I moved in they told me to keep the bottom immersion on all the time and use the top immersion if I needed more hot water.
There's no timer or controls for it anywhere. This seems a bit crazy to me.
Are these tanks designed to be on 24/7?
Will this destroy my electricity bill?
I feel like I want to put a timer on it, but I'd like to see what you guys think before I start altering anything.

What size is the cylinder (in gallons or litres)?

 

[Roy_66]

In addition to above, is it all nicely lagged? Can you include a photo or two perhaps.

Cheers,

Roy

 

[AshleyG]

I've attached a photo with lots of information on it.

 

[Gasmk1]

you can just change the switches to immersion timers for the top you can get one that's is just 1 2 0r 3 hours switch, so you can use as boost , some people just use that on lower one my father in law just puts it on for 1 hour before he goes to bed and that's enough for his shower and washing during the day.
Sangamo Powersaver Electronic Boost Timer 30min to 2 Hour - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SGPSB.html?source=adwords&ad_position=&ad_id=415703895084&placement=&kw=&network=u&matchtype=&ad_type=&product_id=SGPSB&product_partition_id=938847115904&campaign=shopping_heating&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_GjYuuijjKYnrWsVMkc5T-CVqBeKcvXT6-X_9QNSXURDvyf52T-RYEmEaArf6EALw_wcB one type

https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/product/horstmann-electrisaver-2-hour-electronic-boost-run-back-timer-687162?vat=1&shopping=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_GjYB7jPoSp6nM_rzCH87D-sJTDLqSHlq-aJPt-tPTXxxrP31_80M6xkaAjdeEALw_wcB

this is the one my father in law uses Sangamo Powersaver Boost Timer Switch PSB - https://www.alertelectrical.com/sangamo-powersaver-timer-boost-switch-psb.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiApY6BBhCsARIsAOI_Gjadcjz9m_tWhpjG5dQKt8uupcbbkfNdR5L8-raOemfJgV1omx4aZ3waAsPfEALw_wcB

or even posher Sangamo Power Saver Select Immersion Timer - https://www.expertelectrical.co.uk/sangamo-power-saver-select-immersion-timer

 

[Timmy D]

Just to add, these new cylinders typically lose about 2kw a day. With electric around 15p a kw, 30p a day having it on 24/7 for convenience isn’t bad, not great or cheap like gas, but not gonna break the bank.