Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Yes - I m sure the air con/heater s must be the most expensive use of electricity in our house - especially as we have very old doors and windows - so we more than likely loose plenty of energy there too!!
I think we need to invest in new windows and doors!!
We did have a chap round last October to replace them all - he said he would be back in 2 weeks to fit them - never seen him since!!
And before anyone says 'typical Spanish' - he was actually British!!

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

You were lucky then he has probably skipped off back to UK with some clients money.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Re replaced one of ours recently and there is a thermostat under the covers.

It is most definitely cheaper to switch the heater on a time switch than leave it running - it's a myth that it's cheaper to leave it running.

I did some tests on ours using a proper power meter and it used 10kw over a 48 hr period running continually and only 6 kw when timed to be on for 2 hours a day.

If you had a perfectly insulated heater then it would be different but they are not.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Another myth!

Aircon heating is far and away the most efficient form of electrical heating.

For every 1kw of electricity you put into it you can get up to 3kw out of it.

It's not magic -it uses the "heat pump" process - just Google it and you will see how it works.

It's probably the cheapest form of heating you can get unless you have a free supply of wood and a big stove.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

We have Miitsubishi air con units. They use around 1kw per hour. I think it's actually 0.91 for heat and 1.09 for cooling ( or the other way round). I agree with Fred that they are the cheapest form of heat, but unlike water heaters IMHO it is more efficient to leave them running. In the winter we put ours on in the morning, and leave them on all day long. This way they run at full power until the ambient temperature is reached and then occasional boosts to maintain.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

It's not. Simple Physics theory proves otherwise. I will explain it if you want me to.

If you wish to believe otherwise that's up to you. As I said, I have tested it with a proper power meter - have you?

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Not bothered about using for heating though - its hot where we live pretty well most of the time. I would only want air con for cooling the house down. Does the 3kw output for 1 kw of input work for cooling as well?

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Yes.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Sounds like perpetual energy :)

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

It is most definitely cheaper to switch the heater on a time switch than leave it running - it's a myth that it's cheaper to leave it running.


Fred yes we use our water heater on a timer about 1 1/2 hours early morning and same late afternoon and find that works fine can't see the point running it permanent. Ours is very well insulated when I return to the UK I have had it turned off after heating up in the morning and still have hot water the following morning before leaving enough for a shower and last clean up.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Not sure whether you misread my post, I was talking about leaving aircon units on, not water heaters. I have my water heaters on a timer as I posted earlier.

Re: saving on electricity bills
 

Yes I did - sorry.:o

However you should only leave the A/C running if you are in the room to enjoy the benefits. If you are not, you are wasting power and it is cheaper to turn them on when you need them.