Bails27

RichardHenshall

You can add a timer and/or wifi remote switching independently (between the power socket and the heater) but if you have a well insulated tank there will be minimal savings from reducing the daily heating hours unless you can restrict those heating hours to cheap rate electricity (which may require a much larger tank).

If you want to be able to switch it on and off when not at the property, it's still possible but more complicated (& expensive) and you'll need permanent and reliable internet connectivity.

Buy the best insulated tank you can get and set the thermostat to the lowest you can, consistent with adequate supply, and you'll achieve most of the potential savings in heating costs.

Bails27

Loafing Along

You need a visit to Leroy Merlin ! They stock all sorts of different sizes and brands, basic design has not changed much from your photo, just a few styling improvements. Fagor is pretty much a standard. All of them tend to be "C" rated on consumption efficiency. Recently changed one , a horizontal equivalent and while the new one does consume less electricity the previous one was 12 years old so not really surprised.
As they are mains electricity run you can definitely fit a timer and/or a "Smart plug" for Wifi which you can find on Amazon for about £20,- ( check out the TP-Link as an example) and will run from Alexa or an App on your phone.

liveaboard

Those water heaters draw 10A or more; very few of those "smart" gizmos will handle the current for long. They work for a while, and then fail unless rated for the high current.
Most are made for lighting.
Actually, my experience is that they will rarely handle even the rated current reliably, for 10A I now use relays rated for 16 or 20A

Leroy Merlin sells cheap stuff [and I go there for that], if you want better appliances you need to go to different shop. A plumbing / heating specialist like https://www.nicolaurosa.com/

Bails27

Thanks for both replies. Interesting to hear about the 'smart gizmos'. I see nicolaurosa have a place in Lagos, close to where our apartment is so will pop in there. Thanks again.

Any recommend any particular brand?

liveaboard

No; the only electric boiler I've installed was one of those cheapo Fagor ones.

Ask the guys in the Lagos shop, they know this stuff and they speak English.

Andy43

Thank you for that nicolaurosa recommendation - I've spent a good while this morning looking at their website - it's a really useful place to know about. We will (hopefully - if purchase proceeeds!) need electric hot water, air con, some form of space heating and ideally solar PV - they look a lot more specialised than Leroy Merlin.

Re the relay - I'd agree - a chunky 20A or bigger relay would be bulletproof, and you could switch it through any old cheap timer and it'll be completely reliable and safe as long as it's mounted and protected well.

liveaboard

For electrics [relays, installation material, etc], Rolear is the place; ROLEAR MAIS EQUIPAMENTOS SOLUÇÕES ENGENHARIA
They have solar panels and inverters too, but I never researched the prices on those.
In reality, you need a licensed electrician and approved components if you connect to the grid. It's only worthwhile if you can use a significant portion of your own output in real time.

Jonny22

Bails27

Andy43

Bails27

Andy43