Hot Water Systems
#17
Re: Hot Water Systems
The two most common types of boiler here are gas and electric,
The gas type turn on and heat the water only when you open a tap , the most common flow rate is 11 litres per min.
Electric cylinders, heat and store water to a pre set temperature, and that is controlled by a thermostat, if the thermostat is not working and is not turning the heater element off the water will boil and vent from the safety valve on the cold water inlet.
As some one else said maybe you could fit a timer, to limit the daily heating.
The gas type turn on and heat the water only when you open a tap , the most common flow rate is 11 litres per min.
Electric cylinders, heat and store water to a pre set temperature, and that is controlled by a thermostat, if the thermostat is not working and is not turning the heater element off the water will boil and vent from the safety valve on the cold water inlet.
As some one else said maybe you could fit a timer, to limit the daily heating.
#18
Re: Hot Water Systems
A bit off the subject but in the same vein. I need to replace my outdoor gas water heater and have found a few advertised and offering different size/capacity of 5ltr / 10ltr as Iam not in Spain until the weekend anyone any idea what capacity I should be looking for. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Kitchen, Living room, Dinning room. Thanks Stuart.
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,648
Re: Hot Water Systems
I have an electric water heater which is in the bedroom. When we moved in the whole water system was fed from tank on terrace gravity and pressure was rubbish had to chase around for a shower to get wet although the mains pressure into the house is quite high. I was advised how to put a loop in by someone which allows mains pressure but also in case of failure of mains water supply then you have back up of storage tank on terrace. I was advised and did put a pressure reduction valve in the supply pipe where it enters the house set to around 3 bar and the whole system works fine. As I don't seem to be able to regulate the thermostat on water heater I have it plugged into a simple plug in timer and set it to come on early morning and late afternoon which is fine for us obviously can override timer if hot water runs out. Don't know if this saves much electric versus having water heater on all the time? All in all the system I have been using now 3 years without any complaints good pressure for shower and not that difficult to do yourself.
#20
Re: Hot Water Systems
That is a very good question and I would love to know how it can be worked out. We have two electric boilers and we tend to leave them on all the time. Would it be better to turn them on an hour before we need to use them? Our electric bill is around 300 Euros a month
#21
Re: Hot Water Systems
Hi Jimenato,
300 per month !!! it is worth considering pre heating the water via a solar water heater before enters the electric boilers, you will save a fortune !!!
Tony
300 per month !!! it is worth considering pre heating the water via a solar water heater before enters the electric boilers, you will save a fortune !!!
Tony
#22
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Hot Water Systems
at €300 sounds like very large amount of water there, not being thermally insulated.
I hate to say it but some of the old UK ideas come to mind, smaller tanks (do you need 100L + for the household (?) and thermally insulated, after all do you need it for 12m (?)
would suggest a timer schedule for all day only or 3-4hrs each morn and nite.
but you know your needs better than me or anyone else here
rgds
I hate to say it but some of the old UK ideas come to mind, smaller tanks (do you need 100L + for the household (?) and thermally insulated, after all do you need it for 12m (?)
would suggest a timer schedule for all day only or 3-4hrs each morn and nite.
but you know your needs better than me or anyone else here
rgds
#23
Re: Hot Water Systems
If you find that you don't have enough hot water later in the day then just set another hour on the timer for late afternoon.
Unless you have a 100% insulated tank keeping water hot when you don't need it wastes energy.
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,648
Re: Hot Water Systems
Put a timer on them set to run for 3 hours before you need the water in the morning. Also set the thermostat to a lower temperature. This could save you at least 50% of the cost compared to leaving it on all the time.
If you find that you don't have enough hot water later in the day then just set another hour on the timer for late afternoon.
Unless you have a 100% insulated tank keeping water hot when you don't need it wastes energy.
If you find that you don't have enough hot water later in the day then just set another hour on the timer for late afternoon.
Unless you have a 100% insulated tank keeping water hot when you don't need it wastes energy.
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,948
Re: Hot Water Systems
I have an electric water heater which is in the bedroom. When we moved in the whole water system was fed from tank on terrace gravity and pressure was rubbish had to chase around for a shower to get wet although the mains pressure into the house is quite high. I was advised how to put a loop in by someone which allows mains pressure but also in case of failure of mains water supply then you have back up of storage tank on terrace. I was advised and did put a pressure reduction valve in the supply pipe where it enters the house set to around 3 bar and the whole system works fine. As I don't seem to be able to regulate the thermostat on water heater I have it plugged into a simple plug in timer and set it to come on early morning and late afternoon which is fine for us obviously can override timer if hot water runs out. Don't know if this saves much electric versus having water heater on all the time? All in all the system I have been using now 3 years without any complaints good pressure for shower and not that difficult to do yourself.
#26
Re: Hot Water Systems
A lot of the new electric boilers do NOT have thermostats that the user can adjust - they are pre-set. They are also pre-insulated and so can be mounted outside without the need for additional insulation.
We have a 300l boiler which is on all the time, is mounted outside and is EXTREMELY efficient.
We used to have the gas (on-demand) type but we (well my wife mainly) got increasingly fed up with the gas running out half way through a shower! Also, it used to take ages for the hot water to get from the boiler to the various bathrooms. We considered installing other gas boilers nearer the bathrooms but were persuaded to go electric due to their improved efficiency.
The shower pressure is, of course, mains pressure which is akin to a power shower
We have a 300l boiler which is on all the time, is mounted outside and is EXTREMELY efficient.
We used to have the gas (on-demand) type but we (well my wife mainly) got increasingly fed up with the gas running out half way through a shower! Also, it used to take ages for the hot water to get from the boiler to the various bathrooms. We considered installing other gas boilers nearer the bathrooms but were persuaded to go electric due to their improved efficiency.
The shower pressure is, of course, mains pressure which is akin to a power shower
#27
Re: Hot Water Systems
I might consider solar water heating but ours are rented premises.
Incidentally our rubbish collection and water bill is over 500 Euros every three months - the vast bulk of which is for rubbish - which I take myself to the punto limpio.
#28
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Hot Water Systems
I should point out that it's not only water heating. We have two very large freezers and five commercial fridges.
I might consider solar water heating but ours are rented premises.
Incidentally our rubbish collection and water bill is over 500 Euros every three months - the vast bulk of which is for rubbish - which I take myself to the punto limpio.
I might consider solar water heating but ours are rented premises.
Incidentally our rubbish collection and water bill is over 500 Euros every three months - the vast bulk of which is for rubbish - which I take myself to the punto limpio.
see, all these "hidden" costs that people do not take in to account when they want to come and "live the dream" playing "mine host" to all the touristico's looking for roast beef, tatties, yorkshires and gravy.
#29
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
Location: Mallorca
Posts: 19,367
Re: Hot Water Systems
Another, more petty example which I think illustrates the point is at the ajuntamento (here, anyway), when they need a copy of some document (e.g., your passport), they refuse to use the copy machine that's sitting over in the corner. No, you have to find a local copy shop and pay €1 to copy your passport, and return and stand in the queue again.
Seems to me that they would WANT to make the copy themselves. Otherwise you could easily forge the copy. But I suppose it saves a cent or two.
But then again... similar logic seems to be the basis for everything - the locals around here will spend a fortune digging a drainage system into their floor to drain the water from their house when it rains, while completely ignoring the hole in the roof.
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1
Re: Hot Water Systems
I want to install an unvented indirect hot water cylinder, with the water being heated from a back boiler on a wood burning stove (imported from UK). These cylinders cost £500 to £1000 in UK, but I can't find on any Spanish web pages. Any ideas if they can be obtained in Spain? - including a decent translation of "unvented indirect hot water cylinder". thanks