Immersion heater very little hot water

[Chuck]

From what I can tell they've programmed a "timed boost" from 7am to 11pm which is meant to turn on the top element and the boost button is red as if it were activated during those times.

With that set up you want to start by setting up the standard 'economy 7' programme, which refers to the lower element, to come on from 0200 to 0700 (Or whatever period of about 5 hours is safely inside your cheap rate period.) and no timed boost. This should get you a tank full of hot water, enough for about three baths or showers. Use the boost manual or timed if you find that is not enough to last a whole day.

My guess is that the lower element is faulty so someone is decided to use the timed boost as a temporary workaround and never got round to fixing it properly.

 

[orangemars2000]

With that set up you want to start by setting up the standard 'economy 7' programme, which refers to the lower element, to come on from 0200 to 0700 (Or whatever period of about 5 hours is safely inside your cheap rate period.) and no timed boost. This should get you a tank full of hot water, enough for about three baths or showers. Use the boost manual or timed if you find that is not enough to last a whole day.

My guess is that the lower element is faulty so someone is decided to use the timed boost as a temporary workaround and never got round to fixing it properly.

This honestly feels consistent with everything that's happened, notably the original issue being that something "tripped" leaving me with no hot water, that being fixed and then having some, and then they attend again, can get hot water out, but they leave and it's back to square one. The boost button does nothing at the minute (button gets red but no hot water) so could it be that overusing the top element for long periods is what causes it to trip? Obviously I have no idea but it seems to make sense.

 

[orangemars2000]

You need to establish if both heating elements are actually working.

Those controllers fail, the meter could have changed and you don't have e7 , one of the immersions could have failed

I can verify that I still have e7, and if the controller failed it's done a very sneaky job of it, although I've given it a reset to see if that changes anything. Is there anyway for me to check myself if the immersions are working, beyond the basic observations that 1/ it's been scheduled to turn on at night and that does jack and 2/ the boost button turns red but otherwise does jack?

 

[John.g]

What kind of (electric) meter do you have?.

 

[Murdoch]

I can verify that I still have e7, and if the controller failed it's done a very sneaky job of it, although I've given it a reset to see if that changes anything. Is there anyway for me to check myself if the immersions are working, beyond the basic observations that 1/ it's been scheduled to turn on at night and that does jack and 2/ the boost button turns red but otherwise does jack?

How have you verified you have E7?

Some form of proper tested is required to check that an immersion is working (about 19 - 20 ohms is a sensible reading)

I would suggest you seek a competent spark with proper test kit

 

[John.g]

As a spot check, the meter will give a very good indication of whether the immersion element(s) is in use or not.

 

[orangemars2000]

How have you verified you have E7?

Some form of proper tested is required to check that an immersion is working (about 19 - 20 ohms is a sensible reading)

I would suggest you seek a competent spark with proper test kit

-My meter says e7 on it and gives two readings

-When I submit a reading Bulb asks for two readings and then on my bill they charge them at different prices

Is there more to having an e7 meter than that?

What kind of (electric) meter do you have?.

I've attached a photo for reference.

 

[orangemars2000]

As a spot check, the meter will give a very good indication of whether the immersion element(s) is in use or not.

This is a good idea and I may give it a go if I can't get someone to take a proper look at it. It's just a bit of a hassle as all the meters in the building are kept locked up and you have to go ask for the key. Additionally not sure how to differentiate between everything else and the heater, but I'm sure I'll figure it out if it comes to it. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[John.g]

Just ensure any big users like a electric kettle, toaster, micro wave etc all off, lights etc make little or no difference. When you think the immersion should be on note the time in secs in takes for the 1000 imp/kwh LED to flash 10 times (after the first flash), if it takes 13/14 secs (13.3 to be exact) then you know the element is producing 2.7kw. If the element isn't drawing power then there will only be a flash after every 7 to 10 secs or so.

 

[Murdoch]

Take a reading each morning of the E7 numbers …

but unless you get the immersion tested, then the timer you are only guessing