I have 3 boys....always using hot water after 4pm..whether washing machine , dishwasher, showers and baths...I have a hot water tank..well insulated and a new central heating system too...whats best.all day or wheni need it?
2006-08-31 07:35:15 · 11 answers · asked by ~Lez~ 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
i have been told by a heating engineer that its best to leave it on all the time and that its cheaper;)
Mines is on all the time and i cant tell if there is any dfference in cost
2006-08-31 07:38:59 · answer #1 · answered by ryn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Natural gas is cheaper than electric; if you have a large tank heater (freestanding type), you have to leave the pilot on or you'll never have enough hot water to bother with. If it's a flow-through heater with a capacity of about 10-15 gal, only light the pilot when you're going to use it. I learned this and saved a bunch of money this year.
The dishwasher heats its own water; it has an electric unit in the bottom and draws cold water from the pipes to heat as it runs. Look in the bottom of the machine--see that thing down there? That's the heater.
The clothes washer also heats its water electrically. So you only need to light the water heater for baths and showers, and any other water you want hot from the tap.
2006-08-31 16:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your first answer
i had a new heating system installed a couple of years ago, and was advised that it was cheaper to keep hot water on all the time, and the central heating too, it's being controlled by an outside sensor, so in the summer months it doesn't cut in
2006-09-04 10:19:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it could be a very small difference if your hot water tank is well insulated, it shouldn't lose that much heat.
I myself have two boys and my water is only on twice a day.
I do make sure that the water stays on for about an hour after the peak use periods in the morning and evening.
We never have any problems with cold hot water.
2006-08-31 15:08:03 · answer #4 · answered by gazamatchace 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's cheaper to have it on all the time. Sometimes, you may just need a small amount but have to heat the whole tank. If it's hot all the time, in the long run, it doesnt have to work so hard to heat the water.
2006-08-31 14:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by intenseone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best to leave on all the time then u pay 4 what u use -rather than paying to have the whole tank heated 2/3 times a day
2006-08-31 14:40:47 · answer #6 · answered by swoodleybird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In terms of the money it is cheaper to have it on all the time but I'm not sure how good that is for the environment. So maybe in terms of cost to the environment that way is more expensive. I guess it's an opportunity cost thing.
2006-08-31 14:47:36 · answer #7 · answered by wheelchairprincess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take two full kettles of water, one has just boiled the other is cold. If you switch them on together, which will boil the fastest?. If you keep the first one hot it doesn't take to long to heat up.
2006-08-31 14:57:06 · answer #8 · answered by Old Man of Coniston!. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why dont you try both ways, take a meter reading then leave it on and compare when done the same with heating just when needed, its really the only way to get a good idea. you may have to try for a week each way to get a good indication
2006-08-31 14:49:57 · answer #9 · answered by quornandwafflesagain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it costs more to heat it up from cold than keeping it warm.
i should think with three boys you would need it constantly anyway
2006-08-31 14:41:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋