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My hot water tank is currently heated by solar panels boosted from autumn to early spring by a woodburning stove which also heats the radiators. The problem is that outside of summer there is no hot water unless the stove is lit - and to keep the stove going you need to be home to keep adding logs. I would like to have an immersion heater to use as a back-up system so that hot water is quickly available in winter (within however long the immersion may take to heat the tank) without having to light the stove.
My tank does not have an immersion fitted - is it possible to add one now or would I need a new tank?
Any other suggestions for a hot water supply which isn't dependent on being at home all the time shovelling logs into the stove but doesn't involve a whole new heating system (mains gas is not available) would be very welcome .

2006-10-26 02:41:13 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden Maintenance & Repairs

11 answers

Look at the top of the hot water cylinder, is there a 2.25" threaded plug in the top?? If so you have to remove it to fit an immersion heater, then you have to install wiring from your CU and control/isolator switches, earth bonding, and heat resistant butyl rubber interconnection. If there is no plug in the cylinder a flange will have to be fitted, which may or may not be possible depending on the design of the cylinder which I guess is an indirect one.

2006-10-26 02:54:03 · answer #1 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1 0

In addition to previous answers, if there is no Immersion Heater 'boss' with a 2 and 1/4 inch thread then one can be fitted. It is called an "Essex" flange and is available from all good plumbers' merchants. You will then need to buy an immersion heater of a suitable length to screw into the "Essex" flange. You will need a suitable 15 amp fused spur adjacent to the immersion heater that should be installed by a qualified electrician. Otherwise the suggestion of a single electric heater installed in the hot water system may be more economic but it depends upon the level of use, position of basins, baths and sinks etc.

2006-10-29 08:51:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Fitting an immersion heater is not a big job for the professionals.
He will simply drain the tank, (so to save time find out where the drain tap for the tank is) cut a hole in the tank fit the new unit, fill the tank and test for leaks. You can find out the price of the heater at any d.i.y stores that will give you an idea, at the most the job will take no more than two hours, less if he is good at his job.But it's as always shop around for quotes unless some one can recommend someone to do the job. Good luck

2006-10-26 03:00:31 · answer #3 · answered by alex winefly 4 · 0 0

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can an immersion heater be added to a hot water tank which doesn't currently have?
My hot water tank is currently heated by solar panels boosted from autumn to early spring by a woodburning stove which also heats the radiators. The problem is that outside of summer there is no hot water unless the stove is lit - and to keep the stove going you need to be home to keep adding...

2015-08-16 17:17:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

My suggestion would be to forget the solar panels (sorry!) and have an unvented water storage cylinder installed (i.e. a Megaflo). This is independent of your current heating system, will have two immersion heaters prefitted, and will give you mains pressure hot water at each outlet. This means that the large tank in your loft can be removed also.

2006-10-28 16:20:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It's probably better to use an electric water heater as a storage tank. A good contractors model will cost about the same less than converting a plain storage tank.

2006-10-26 02:52:51 · answer #6 · answered by djantz 2 · 0 0

They have small (10 gallon ) tank heaters that can be added on the line that leaves the tank to domestic use, and will fit under counter, sink, or maybe closet. More expensive units will heat the water as needed, and are very efficient and money saving.

2006-10-26 03:29:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Your tank may already be set up for an immersion heater. Check the top of the tank for a plugged threaded hole, approx 7cmm dia. if there, can fit immersion heater.

2006-10-27 03:08:21 · answer #8 · answered by lulu 6 · 0 0

Puchase point of use electric units for where you need the H/W.
This way you are not heating the entire tank (say 50 gallons or so) if you only need 5 gallons.

Newt.

2006-10-26 04:38:45 · answer #9 · answered by Newtgadget www.T-C-Pro.com 2 · 0 0

If your heater is not fitted for an electric heating element you need to but an electric heater.

2006-10-26 02:45:25 · answer #10 · answered by peckerwud2 3 · 0 0

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