Hot Water System Question relating to electricity?

Question

When you used the hot water for approximately 10 minutes should a lot of electricity be used in heating the hot water system again.

We have an older meter with the discs and after using the hot water it spins very fast whilest when using other appliances like the tv and computer it spins very slowly. We have a fish tank pump and a fridge continously going 24 hours and it still doesn't spin that fast. Only when the hot water system has been used.

Does that usually happen or does it mean that the hot water system is packing it in?

Our electricity bill was much higher and I was just wondering if this could be caused by the hot water system?

Answer 1

The answer is yes, wherever you live. I have a fair idea you are in Australia or New Zealand. If so, your hot water system runs at 240 volts like all the other electrical equipment in the house. The meter reads the current consumed by the house as a whole and records it as kilowatt-hours.

It is all simple arithmetic, a 100 watt light bulb would take 10 hours to use one kilowatt hour, a 25 watt bulb would take 40 hours. Four 25 watt bulbs would take 10 hours, you get the picture.

The electric hot water system is by far the biggest user of power in the house when it is heating water. Probably 50% more than all the lights in the house and the TV and computer added together. The next biggest user is a refrigerator or electric stove if you have one. The fish tank pump probably uses 50 or maybe 100 watts depending on its size. It should have its power rating printed on it.

The hot water system is almost certainly a storage type, the instantaneous type are all but unused in Australia. This means it heats a tank full of water to whatever temperature is set by a thermostat. When the water gets a little hotter than this, the thermostat automatically shuts the electricity to the heater off. While it is on it may be consuming 2,400 Watts.

Because the tank is fairly well insulated, the water stays hot enough for a good while, but eventually it will cool to the point where the thermostat switches the power on again. If you improve the insulation it will take longer to cool off. Of course, if you use the hot water, cold water runs into the tank and the thermostat switches on.

The hot water is taken from the top, the cold runs in at the bottom, which is why you do not feel the water getting colder while you are in the shower for a short while, but if you stay there long enough I guarantee you will get cold. The longer you stay in the shower, the more hot water you use and the more electricity is needed to heat the next lot of water up and the more of a bill you pay.

Some of the answers above are unlikely to be correct. There is almost certainly nothing wrong with your hot water system.

Now if you own the house ask for your electricity supplier to supply a "ripple control" for your hot water system. This is an electronic device that is a switch controlled by a "ripple" signal sent down the power lines. The electricity suppliers can then switch hot water systems off for brief periods every day when the load on the electricity supply is highest. They will then give you a discount of the electricity used by the hot water system. It will also need a separate meter. This may also be available for rental properties.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you have an electric heater :). They do use a lot of electricity, but it sounds like yours may be old and full of sediment. Try flushing it (search for "flush water heater") on line. This may help. Also, how high do you have the thermostat set? Sounds like it might be set on hot. Try turning it down. Also, where is the heater, and what has the ambient temperature been there lately? Is there a heater blanket on the heater? If none of this helps, you are due for a new heater.

Apparently, most people don't read the question...From my understanding your bill has gone up recently? Therefore, all the explanations about how a water heater "works" do nothing to resolve your issue. I'll stand by my suggestions.
GOOD LUCK:)

Answer 3

This is normal.

Heating water takes a LOT of energy. The meter will spin quite fast immediately after a shower.

If you want to know how your electric bill breaks down, buy a "Watt o Meter" from your local hardware store.

Hot water tanks use a lot of energy when they are heating, but don't use huge amounts overall, because that aren't 'ON' that much.

They can kill your electric bill though if you have a leaking hot water facet.

Answer 4

Your water heater uses 220 volts of electricity to heat water quickly. And high amperage. Your TV and pump use 110 volts. And don't have to consume the same energy as the water heater to operate efficiently. The other appliances in your house that use 220 volts are the dryer and central heating/AC. All big power consumers.

Answer 5

Most dedicated hot water systems use a gas or electric boiler to heat , then circulate the heated medium. It takes a lot of in-rush elect. to bring the reserve holding tank back to level and temp. If its just hot water alone; for bathing, d/w, washing clothes; it will also amp your meter as it re-supplies the tank. all is normal.

Answer 6

Pobept is correct and http://appliancequickfix.com/ will tell you in easy language how the water heater works. When you use some hot water, the heater comes on full force until the water is up to temperature again.

Answer 7

this is normal, it requires a lot of power to heat a tank of water to 160 or more degrees.