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Emersion vs Gas central heating

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  • 03-05-2007 3:16pm
    #1
    pan
    Registered Users Posts: 190 ✭✭


    Sorry if this has been done before..search of boards didn't show up anything relevant!

    Since it summer time and all, I have an option on my gas boiler(timer) to heating hot water only. Do you think it's cheaper to heat the water tank with the gas or with emersion? Both heat the same tank of water.

    cheers
    pan


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    #2
    eoghan.geraghty
    Registered Users Posts: 419 ✭✭eoghan.geraghty


    I think the immersion would be more efficient, especially if you just need a half tank as you can just set it to sink.
    There is more heat losses from the gas boiler carrying the heat to the cylinder than from the immersion heating the water in situ.


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    #3
    galwaytt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    I had this scenario when I built my existing house.

    I have an ACV tank-in-tank DHW, er......tank!!

    When ordering it, I rang the factory, and asked for an immersion to be fitted. 'Why?' they said, and I explained it'd be handy.

    'No' they replied, 'on the 30 gal unit (mine) the gas will heat faster and more efficiently than an immersion, because the immrsion element will be in the indirect water'. So, discussing with a heating engineer, he agreed, and I didn't bother with it.

    So, since 1997, I've had no immersion. My Vaillant Supercondensing boiler heats the full tank in..........12 mins. Unused, the water in the tank will only lose 1 deg C in 24 hrs or something fantastic ( 1997, remember.....)

    The boiler is much more efficient...........

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    #4
    eoghan.geraghty
    Registered Users Posts: 419 ✭✭eoghan.geraghty


    Galwaytt what power output is your boiler running at to heat the hot water cylinder in 12 mins?
    If its at 12kw, thats like a 3kw immersion taking 48 mins.
    You also have a very efficient boiler there, and a damn good cylinder if its only losing 1C per day.
    Pan i suppose it all depends on what system you have, also what length pipework is used from boiler to cylinder and how well insulated said pipework is.
    If you're really determined to find out, might i recommend a conclusive test to answer your question.
    Take note of reading on your gas meter, heat your water for 1 hour, retake the reading.
    Do the same for the electricity the following day, making sure both times you have no hot water in cylinder.
    Of course for the immersion test you will have to switch off all other circuits to get a true reading, hey nobody said science was easy:D

    By taking the units each used and with the help of your gas and esb bills you should be able to calculate each methods cost.

    Do let us know how you get on


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