What type of boiler do I have?

[Michael Ruasell]

Hi there,

I wanting some advice re a boiler.

I have just taken ownership of a new 1 bedroom flat. It is an all electric block of flats and has an electric boiler system (see photos attached).

The boiler looks absolutely huge to my eyes, for a 1 bedroom flat at least. It almost looks like two boilders in one.

There are two electrical switches for it. A blank switch and another with the label 'off peak'. I have checked and I do not have an economy 7 meter, or at least not any more, so I have no idea what this means? Should I have both switches turned on? Have I got two boilers for some reason? I have no clue.

The boiler is old and will need replacing in the next 2-3 years or whenever it gives up or whenever I have some 'spare' money. But in the meantime, can anyone tell me what type of boiler I have, how it works and why I have two switches...one labelled 'off peak'?

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Harvest Fields]

That is your hot water cylinder mate. Not a boiler.

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Ok so I clearly need a crash course in plumbing. OK so this is my hot water tank. It says it's a 'Combination tank' with an immersion system, so what am I looking at? Sorry can someone explain this type of system to me? I still don't understand the double switch and 'off peak' switch.

 

[Gasmk1]

top immersion is a boost immersion only heats up top 3rd for when you need a quick heat up bottom immersion is the main one this is the one should be on gives you a full cylinder of hot water, you should only use one immersion.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Combi tank just means that the feed and expansion tank is built in.

 

[Gasmk1]

Combi tank just means that the feed and expansion tank is built in.

commonly called a fortic cylinder

 

[Gasmk1]

top immersion is a boost immersion only heats up top 3rd for when you need a quick heat up bottom immersion is the main one this is the one should be on gives you a full cylinder of hot water, you should only use one immersion.

also looks like you have economy 7 uses cheaper night time electricity

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Ok so let me get this right:

I have an immersion water tank. With two immersion heaters.

A main and a boost.

Is that the correct terminology?

I only need to use the boost immersion when I have used all of the hot water from the main tank. The only way to switch this off appears to be by the main switch, does that sound right?

Out of interest, what would it cost (ball park) to replace this system with a modern equivalent? Ideally I'd like something economical...or as economical as you can get/need to be for a one bedroom flat.

 

[chris watkins]

What provides your heating in the flat Micheal ?
How many of you in the flat ?

 

[Michael Ruasell]

My

What provides your heating in the flat Micheal ?
How many of you in the flat ?

My flat is all electric. Electric heaters provide the heat. Gas isn't installed to the block

 

[chris watkins]

Ok so let me get this right:
I have an immersion water tank. With two immersion heaters. YES
A main and a boost. YES
Is that the correct terminology? YES
I only need to use the boost immersion when I have used all of the hot water from the main tank. The only way to switch this off appears to be by the main switch, does that sound right?
YES but most people would have a controller / time clock fitted.

Please See inserted text in above

 

[chris watkins]

My
My flat is all electric. Electric heaters provide the heat. Gas isn't installed to the block

What kind are they, just the panel type i.e. turn on as required or are they the storage type ?

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Please See inserted text in above

I can seem to locate a timer anywhere for the system

 

[Michael Ruasell]

What kind are they, just the panel type i.e. turn on as required or are they the storage type ?

They are electric storage heaters...
I presume setup this way for economy 7, but I'm sure I don't have an economy 7 meter. I asked before I bought the place and the answer I received was no you don't have a economy 7 meter. So the system setup I have doesn't really makes sense and I want to look at the most economical electrical appartment for a one bedroom place

 

[Best]

Is it a bath or shower there?
If only a shower, then an electric shower (high kilowatt shower) would save you the need to have stored water for showering

 

[chris watkins]

You don't need an Economy 7 meter nowadays the new smart meters have a built in clock so they know when you are using the power. It might be worth investigating the Economy 7 tariffs at half the cost of on peak, it can certainly be worth while.
If it is just you try just having the top (boost) immersion on as only the top of the cylinder down to the level of that immersion will be heated. As you say it looks a bit oversized for a one bed. Add some insulation to the hot pipework to conserve the heat if not already inlace.
For the future maybe look a going for an unvented cylinder if it is possible to get the discharge away, speak to a G3 plumber for a quote.

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Is it a bath or shower there?
If only a shower, then an electric shower (high kilowatt shower) would save you the need to have stored water for showering

Yes, it has both an electric shower and a bath

 

[gmartine]

Your combination storage vessel is fine and should last for years more with possibly the odd bit of maintenance, it looks huge (compared to a traditional HW cylinder) because it also includes the cold water storage vessel. Without it you'd have a hot water storage cylinder + a cold water storage tank in that cupboard or as mentioned you could now opt for a smaller unvented cylinder. You can never have enough insulation imo and the only other change to make are the controls which could do with updating to take advantage of any overnight E7 tariff you may wish to join.

 

[fixitflav]

but I'm sure I don't have an economy 7 meter.

If you have economy 7 the meter will have 2 displays, and (if it's like mine) a separate automatic switch to swap between the two. As you have storage heaters I'd be surprised if you don't have economy 7, defeats most of the object. It might be worth seeing about having it changed. But check your tariff first, my current one has same for normal and off-peak, but most are lower off-peak. You can always change supplier.

 

[Michael Ruasell]

If you have economy 7 the meter will have 2 displays, and (if it's like mine) a separate automatic switch to swap between the two. As you have storage heaters I'd be surprised if you don't have economy 7, defeats most of the object. It might be worth seeing about having it changed. But check your tariff first, my current one has same for normal and off-peak, but most are lower off-peak. You can always change supplier.

Just out of interest what supplier are you with and what kwh price are you getting? My supplier said that smart meters can also accommodate economy 7 as it's just a timing/billing issue. I've opted for a flat low rate rather than an economy 7 tarrif. Most eco 7 traffic's do not kick in until 12am, so I'm not sure of this is really going to work me. A friend got rid of his storage heaters, because by the time he got home (9-5 job, but often not home until 8) his flat was cold and he would have to boost his heating at a higher rate. He tried "modern" storage heaters that claim to be better but they made no difference at all, depends on your house/flat I guess? He opted for a more economical and better insulated hot water systems and electric heaters. He saved quite a bit of money that way around because of the way he uses his flat. I'm similar in my life style, which is why I'm considering this also. I've been quite 11.5p per kwh flat rate with Bulb which is also 100% renewable energy. Seems like quite a good deal really.

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Your combination storage vessel is fine and should last for years more with possibly the odd bit of maintenance, it looks huge (compared to a traditional HW cylinder) because it also includes the cold water storage vessel. Without it you'd have a hot water storage cylinder + a cold water storage tank in that cupboard or as mentioned you could now opt for a smaller unvented cylinder. You can never have enough insulation imo and the only other change to make are the controls which could do with updating to take advantage of any overnight E7 tariff you may wish to join.

Thanks for your reply. My storage vessel my be close to 28yrs old I think, which is why I'm comsidecons something new. I've heard about over night tarrifs/eco 7 but I don't think that's really going to work for my life style. So I think I will opt for newer electric heaters and see if there is a smaller more modern economical option for my hot water storage...as you mentioned, an unvented cylinder.

I've now switched the immersion on the main vessel of tank off and have just left the smaller 'boost' cylinder on. Hopefully this saves me a bit of money, because I really don't need a huge tank of water at all. Guess we shall see of that makes a difference.

 

[chris watkins]

Investing in a time controller would be a good idea & could be reused with your new directly heated unvented.
We only fit Horstmann Electronic 7.

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Investing in a time controller would be a good idea & could be reused with your new directly heated unvented.
We only fit Horstmann Electronic 7.

What's the total installed cost of doing so?

 

[chris watkins]

Are you in our work area ? (most of N,S & E. London)

 

[Michael Ruasell]

Are you in our work area ? (most of N,S & E. London)

I'm in Cambridge unfortunately