Immersion heaters only cost about 35p and hour to run. So why not fit one into your tank on a timer each morning and then plug it into a customers outside socket if you need to top-up at all during the day.
In my mind this has to be the simplest and cheapest option and the route that I will be going down if I ever want the 'HOT' option. The idea of gas makes me nervous, diesel is smelly, noisy and expensive.
You could get all sophisticated with it and have it on a outside thermostat and a timer so that it only came on before work if the outside temperature dropped below a certain temperature. You could also wire it into your vehicle and run your engine to power it on an inverter. An insulated tank would mean that it held on to its heat for longer.
Even electricity has its own unique problems - electric shock and electrocution!. My point was - if you're not controlling the hazards associated with your system (be that the poles, heating system, ergonomics etc etc) then it doesnt really matter whether you're buying a system or creating your own. Too many guys seem to have the idea that 'buying' something has somehow relieved them of any responsibility.
We both know it hasnt.
You could get even more sophisticated and link it up to Economy 7...which is
even cheaper than your standard supply -
www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/economy-7/ It would need good insulation to work effectively.
I liked the idea of those 'heat transfer' units (cant remember the proper name!). That seemed a really good option but required you to run the van for a fair amount of time to get a full tank of hot water and there were other drawbacks if I remember correctly.
As for gas making you nervous: Its a fair comment, if thats what you feel, dont use it.
Petrol stations have more 'issues' than I will ever have using an approved gas bottle -
1. Petrol is explosive
2.It has a very low flash point
3.It is carcinogenic
4. It is an irritant on skin
5. In a liquid state you could be splashed with it and be engulfed in fire
6. Filing mechanisms are not enclosed (you can watch the vapour leaving your tank while re-fuelling)
7 NO special training or instruction is provided to the user to ensure 'safe operation' of the equipment
etc etc etc....
Yet millions of people use this highly flammable and explosive substance safely every day without any prior training or instruction?
I'm not for one moment saying my system is "the best" - I am however saying I have looked at the potential problems and feel I have come up with a reliable and safe way of using this fuel.....My "safety systems" far outweigh anything provided to a
16 year old filling up his moped at a petrol forecourt for the first time!! Glyn H - "Why shouldnt window cleaners take insperation from the www price cutting and undercut competitors or indeed why shouldnt householders buy wfp equipment or build their own -- a Harris pole and a di tank connected to their outside tap and they will save themselves a fortune!"But Inocs already sell a 'home' version of their kits?....If I was a home owner looking for a kit to clean my windows, then I probably would be very interested in the DIY set up you mentioned
