Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: keyser soze on December 09, 2013, 09:07:10 pm

Title: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: keyser soze on December 09, 2013, 09:07:10 pm
i use a gas heater at the moment but it can get expensive . I've ordered an tank heater and i thought id give it a try . any thoughts ? thanks in advance
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: steven ainger on December 09, 2013, 09:17:04 pm
How much will it cost to heat a tank full of water using electric ??
Surely it cant be alot cheaper than using gas ??
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 09, 2013, 09:27:43 pm
Immersion heater is 3KW, so whatever you pay for your leccy per KWH (kilo watt hour) times by three per hour of use.

e.g. 20p/KWH = 60p per hour to run & you'll need it on for 4 hours with a 400ltr flat tank. Mine's on a 16amp timer with off peak leccy & costs approx £1:60 per day to power. Water holds it's temperature in the wydale plastic tank all day long.

Also IMPORTANT- you'll need it rigged up into a 16 AMP breaker in main consumer unit, use a 16amp extension cable with 16amp plugs. Learn from my mistakes & don't risk burning your house down!!

The major benefit of the immersion route is the fact that the tank acts like a giant radiator & so nothing in the van freezes.
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: AuRavelling79 on December 09, 2013, 10:02:54 pm
If you're not on economy 7 then at 17p per kwh it's about 50 p per hour x 4 = £2.00.

4 hours on a timer and my 650 goes from about 10 degrees to 25. 6 hours to about 30 degrees.

Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: lozsing on December 10, 2013, 08:35:36 pm
I am on economy 7, 15p an hour costs me 90p for one night. (5p per kwhour )
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 10, 2013, 08:55:46 pm
I am on economy 7, 15p an hour costs me 90p for one night. (5p per kwhour )

5p per KWH? are you sure about that? ???
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: lozsing on December 11, 2013, 06:48:58 am
Economy 7 :Night Charge Meter number A07N03
5187Start Reading
End Reading
11850 Customer read 06 Nov 13
11928 Customer read 20 Nov 13
Units used 78 = 78 KWh (kilowatt-hrs) used
07/11/13 to 20/11/13 Consumption charge, 78 kWh x 5.425p =
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: lozsing on December 11, 2013, 06:51:05 am
I have my heater on for 6 hours 1am till 7am, 3kw immersion only when its frosty . :) :)   = 90p
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: LWC on December 11, 2013, 07:40:36 am
You wont get the heat you do with a boiler
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 11, 2013, 07:50:06 am
You wont get the heat you do with a boiler

And you'll not get the frost protection with a boiler that you do with an immersion. ;)
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on December 11, 2013, 07:55:02 am
Economy 7 :Night Charge Meter number A07N03
5187Start Reading
End Reading
11850 Customer read 06 Nov 13
11928 Customer read 20 Nov 13
Units used 78 = 78 KWh (kilowatt-hrs) used
07/11/13 to 20/11/13 Consumption charge, 78 kWh x 5.425p =

Aye, you're right, ours is 6.8, thought it was more than than for some reason :) £1.12 per night for me then.
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: dazmond on December 11, 2013, 02:00:29 pm
ive never used an immersion heater.it costs me about £3-50 to £4-00 per day using my gas heater all day.

what i love about it is you can turn the heat up on filthy first cleans and add on jobs and even at 40 degrees at brush end it speeds up the cleaning process on maintenance cleans.bird muck and snail trails esp come off much easier.it dissolves dirt quicker and sheets and dries quicker IMO.

if it is below freezing overnight i stick an oil filled radiator in the back.cost about £1-50  a night.

it is more expensive running a gas heater but your have the option of extra cleaning power when needed.
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: combat1 on December 11, 2013, 08:32:41 pm
whats the ideal temperature one should aim for with a hot water system? thanks.
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: LWC on December 11, 2013, 09:37:22 pm
You wont get the heat you do with a boiler

And you'll not get the frost protection with a boiler that you do with an immersion. ;)

I have both, just saying in heat comparrison when working  ;)
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: James Bulton on December 11, 2013, 10:02:53 pm
Considering all equipment. The glass the hoses and fittings 65 degrees will be the magic number.Glass at 65 is more or less safe from cracking.The best polyurethane hoses start breaking down, hotter than 65 degrees.Fitting will also crack and rubber seals will leak. 
Title: Re: gas heater versus immersion heater
Post by: Jonny 87 on December 12, 2013, 08:00:19 am
Unless it is summer time do not use water at 65 degrees!
That's almost too hot to touch,

I cracked a pain of glass at 35 degrees at the brush head.

Rule of thumb is;

"DO NOT EXCEED 20 DEGREES C OF THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE"

If it's winter time then have your water no hotter than 20 degrees at the brush head.