Electric Immersion Heaters

[Scott Thomson]

Hi everyone

I have just moved into a new house that is all electric. The previous owner had started transitioning from Economy 8 to a new system by removing some of the storage headers and replacing them with electric radiators. Currently they have a Economy 8 meter (from SSE) and an Economy 7 water heater control panel without a timer (Horstmann one), it just runs from midnight to 7 or similar.

Like this,
https://google.com/search?q=Horstmann+E7BX&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2vLXlnLjcAhVMCMAKHe-oAk8Q_AUIDCgD&biw=1760&bih=860#imgrc=GOnJF-Hkq3-aZM:

My electrician says if I want a timer on my water heater I need to get an Economy 7 compatible version and not just a standard immersion control timer (Like a Timeguard one) as the wiring is different. I would want a timer as I want a standard tariff (not economy 7/8) and don't want to run it during the night on normal tariff energy.

My electrician wants to use the Economy 7 control panel but my power company wants to give me a smart meter. If I get smart meter should I get a Timeguard style timer or go with the Economy 7 one my electrician suggested?

Sorry for the long winded question. Thanks in advance!

 

[Octopus]

You are under absolutely no obligation to have a smart meter .....

How do you heat your home?

if you are only heating water, then economy 7 is unlikely to make any financial sense ..

 

[7029 dave]

E8 new one on me.? (no such animal)

 

[Squid]

Heating a house in Scotland on electric's, ouch......

 

[Scott Thomson]

Hi Dave, please see the attached image. Perhaps I am misunderstanding but it says Economy 8 on the meter?

Hopefully my images are working.

Currently I have the Horstmann controller without the timer. Could I replace it with the other one I have the picture of. Just a fairly generic Timeguard one or will the wiring differ? (which may change anyway if the meter changes)

 

[suffolkspark]

If your radiators are now non storage then you need to come off an economy 7 tarriff, you could look at economy 10 and time all heaters accordingly.

Dont get a smart meter

Does your cylinder have 1 or 2 immersion elements?

If 1 get a timeguard one as pictured but it must be placed outside of the airing cupboard .... Theres a reg on fused connection units in immersion cupboards/high ambiemt temps i think (stand corrected by others on here if im wrong) but i cant remember it precicely

If 2 get a horstmann electronic 7.

 

[Scott Thomson]

Thanks Suffolk.

You are correct, there are no storage heaters remaining and it is a dual immersion cylinder. That is good to know regarding the regs, thanks for that.

What is the issues with smart meters? (I've never had one)

 

[ferg]

Theres a reg on fused connection units in immersion cupboards/high ambiemt temps i think (stand corrected by others on here if im wrong) but i cant remember it precicely.

That's a new one on me.

Perhaps not using an FCU for an immersion if possible due to long term 13a loading?

 

[suffolkspark]

Yea it was discussed on here maybe about a year ago but i do remember it

 

[Octopus]

Yea it was discussed on here maybe about a year ago but i do remember it

Without a reg it's speculation, along the lines of the NICEIC making up rules...

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If you phone the power company up they will try and get you to take one meter, it will be a 'smart' meter that automatically charges you the price per unit according to time of day. gone are the days of getting two meters off them

 

[suffolkspark]

Agree doc but im sure it was actually real... Hopefully somebody will come along at some point....

 

[7029 dave]

Learning all the time lol, yes that is what is says on the tin, 3 rate with off peak times shown on meter, never seen that tariff down these parts, only standard, E7,E10.