Hot water system timer to save electricity?
Jul 4th 2014, 12:08 am
#1
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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?
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?
Jul 4th 2014, 1:02 am
#2
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Re: 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?
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?
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)
Jul 4th 2014, 6:42 am
#3
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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!
Jul 4th 2014, 9:11 am
#4
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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)
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)
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.
Last edited by Alfresco; Jul 4th 2014 at 9:14 am.
Jul 4th 2014, 9:12 am
#5
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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.
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.
Jul 4th 2014, 9:39 am
#6
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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.
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.
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.
Jul 4th 2014, 10:03 am
#7
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Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
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
Jul 7th 2014, 10:22 am
#8
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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.
Forgot to say that the power company did the change over for nothing.
Last edited by Gibbo; Jul 7th 2014 at 10:25 am.
Jul 7th 2014, 10:27 am
#9
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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
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
Thank you.
Jul 7th 2014, 10:10 pm
#10
Spud
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Avoca Beach
Posts: 565
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.
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.
Jul 8th 2014, 5:10 am
#11
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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.
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.
Jul 8th 2014, 6:05 am
#12
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Re: Hot water system timer to save electricity?
Plus i"m sure that there are some pretty smart controllers out there that can be controlled/monitored via smartphone etc
