Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

I have been living in my own house since September 2013 and my electricity bill is averaging $350 every two months i.e. $175 a month. My hot water system is on 24/7 and I only really need it piping hot (60°C) in the morning to shower etc...

What are my options in having a timer installed to switch it off during the day and only heat up again in the early hours?

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Some things to consider:
The boiler will use a lot of electricty to warm the water from cold, but relatively little to keep it warm. In your scenario you will be heating the water from cold (or at least cool) every day
Don't you need hot water in the evening?
We have an air source heat pump that is very efficient (nearly as efficient as solar apparently) that was not too expensive to install (subsidised)

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Solar hot water with an electric booster? Heat pump? There certainly are off peak deals you can sign up to but we've had dollar for over 30 yrs and it's paid itself off many times over!

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Yeah, I've done some research on the pros and cons of having it on and off and energy required to heat from cold etc...

I do need hot in the evening, but not much. Explain a bit more about the air source heat pump please?


Thanks. I will look into all options. There must be a better and cheaper way than I have now.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

You could go on to an 'overnight' meter system for the hot water. Its much cheaper, but if you use all your hot water during the day, you wont get any more until the next night - so make sure you have a big tank like 400 litres.

Depending on what State you live in, you need to get a licensed electrician to put a request in to the power company to install the second meter or add the feature to a smart meter (if that's what you already have). In Queensland, its called a 'Form 2'. The power company will then come out and sort the meter and hopefully be kind enough to link your hot water circuit to it, otherwise, you'll need to get the electricians to come back and put the link in for you.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Thank you and sounds really good.

I am in QLD. I don't use any hot water during the day when at work and hardly any during the day on weekends either, only early mornings to shower really. Washing machine and dishwasher use cold only. Will look into it for sure.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Air source heat pumps / Choosing a renewable technology / Generating energy / Home (England) - Energy Saving Trust England

Instant Hot Water Systems, Solar Hot Water Heater, Room Heaters - Stiebel Eltorn

We have a Steibel unit

It works in the opposite way to an air conditioner - takes heat from outside air (even relatively cold air) and is highly efficient

We had ours installed about 7 years ago and it is still going strong. One criticism of the model we have is that it is a bot noisy when operating. Not really a problem as it is on the opposite side of the house but something to be aware of

We got a subsidy off the feds when we installed it - not sure if that is still available

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

I've had my hot water on of peak for years. ie heats from 11pm. I have a large tank and never ran out of hot water even when there was 6 living in the house. My bill for hot water is around $45 for 3 months with 2 people in the house.
Forgot to say that the power company did the change over for nothing.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Thank you. Lots to think about and will check it out.


Thank you.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

You need to get an off off peak tariff from your electricity supplier and then install a timer that only supplies the hot water tank overnight. A manual switch will let you put it on during the day when for you have visitors etc and need extra hot water.

Many suppliers won't offer an off peak tariff unless you ask for it, but it should be available and will save you money. Laundry can be done at night etc to save cash.

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

Cheers. Will be looking into all of this soon. I was hoping it would simple like that. :thumbup:

Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
 

If you have the money, it might be worth investing in a more efficient boiler too

Plus i"m sure that there are some pretty smart controllers out there that can be controlled/monitored via smartphone etc