Elecctric CH boilers

[davetheglitz]

Can anyone see the point of electric central heating boilers? There are several on the market ranging from 2kW (why/) to 36kW. If they operate off normal supply rates I can only see losses in the pipework. Am I missing something here?

 

[Apache]

Some people have no access to mains gas and may not have anywhere to sight an oil tank?

(I have no mains gas)

 

[Lurch]

They are pretty good, and I've seen a few fitted. As said some areas have no mains gas, either anywhere in the town or just down their street. Also they aren;t all that inefficient, over the life of a system, if you take into account installation, servicing and running costs electric can be cheaper. They're also ideal for infrequently used spaces, such as village halls or community centres as there are less safety issues with el;ectric boilers and they can easily be turned on and off for long periods where neccesary.

 

[tom1]

you cows produce plenty of gas

 

[batty]

I did a replacement one last year thread on hear somewhere. I think they work well and would think they are better than storage heaters personally.

Batty

 

[davetheglitz]

But surely you are better off just having a bog standard electric heater in the room where you need it if there is no storage element involved? No losses and absolute control. Also silent!!

 

[Lurch]

So you have a 3 bed house? How's 1 heater going to heat the house and also provide much hot water.

 

[tom1]

plug in heaters in each room controlled by 1 stat and an immersion heater

 

[Lurch]

plug in heaters in each room controlled by 1 stat and an immersion heater

Inefficient.

There is no right or wrong answer to this, there's nothing wrong with convector heaters, immersion heaters, electric\oil\gas boilers or any other combination. Each to their own, and each one serves a purpose. None of them are pointless.

 

[Bez]

36kw, that would be a tasty cable to feed that now.

 

[batty]

36kw, that would be a tasty cable to feed that now.

The one I fitted was 6kw and did a bungalow with 5 rooms I was amazed how quick it warmed up even from cold. Link to thread below if anyone's interested.

Batty

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2383

 

[davetheglitz]

The one I fitted was 6kw and did a bungalow with 5 rooms I was amazed how quick it warmed up even from cold. Link to thread below if anyone's interested.Batty

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2383

From looking at the other thread it looked like the bloke who had saved money had some sort of storage element in the system. Does anyone know of such a device (the link didn't work) and how easy they are to fit?

 

[ianmacd]

AIUI electric are the way of the future as they do not rely on fossile fuels and the govt will be pushing them in the near future. Maybe they ahve started with that boiler scrappage scheme and the next phase offers bigger discounts to electric boilers.

Ian.

 

[tom1]

AIUI electric are the way of the future as they do not rely on fossile fuels and the govt will be pushing them in the near future. Maybe they ahve started with that boiler scrappage scheme and the next phase offers bigger discounts to electric boilers.Ian.

yes we should be moving away from fosil fuels as much as posible

 

[Apache]

yes we should be moving away from fosil fuels as much as posible

All sounds good and noble, but there's no viable alternative other than nuclear!

 

[ianmacd]

And thats not an alternative, why? We get loads of lekky generated from france and thats nuclear. You can tell as it glows in the dark and smells of garlic. :coat :

 

[kme]

yes we should be moving away from fosil fuels as much as posible

That`s a very laudable standpoint, Tom; however it does generate other issues:

I won`t get into AIUI; as I don`t know anything about that (don`t believe I`ve heard the term before!)

Similar argument to "lets all have electric cars - they don`t pollute"!

NO? Where does the power come from to charge the cars?

What happens to the (non-biodegradeable) batteries etc. at the end of their usable life?

I note someone brought up Nuclear. Clean? depends on your definition of the word, I suppose. Clean whilst working, as long as it doesn`t explode!

Don`t see how burying / sinking "spent" fuel rods can be called "clean"?

Besides. Technology capable of mass destruction, built by the guys who put the cheapest quote together? That has ALWAYS spooked me.

"decent" renewable has to be the way forward - once it can provided and proven as cost-effective.

My opinion, anyway

KME

 

[Apache]

I note someone brought up Nuclear. Clean? depends on your definition of the word, I suppose. Clean whilst working, as long as it doesn`t explode!Don`t see how burying / sinking "spent" fuel rods can be called "clean"?

Besides. Technology capable of mass destruction, built by the guys who put the cheapest quote together? That has ALWAYS spooked me.

They are burying it where they mined the uranium. Seems sensible to me. Produce almost no CO2.

"decent" renewable has to be the way forward - once it can provided and proven as cost-effective.My opinion, anyway

KME

Some valid points KME, but before we scar the landscape covering it with inefficient wind turbines, solar panels etc we need to think realistically what is achievable.

AFAIK none of the renewables are reliable or cost effective.

If it could be done it would be fantastic, but I can't see it's feasible in any of our lifetimes.

 

[markie]

I think the main benefit of these is that they heat up on economy 7 in the night. The estate where my Dad lives were all built with them and he seems pleased. Not given any trouble in 10 years. Theres a fan which comes on when you need a quick boost . I think its much more flexible than regular storage heaters but it is quite big, and there have been problems with noise/vibration in some houses

 

[batty]

I think the main benefit of these is that they heat up on economy 7 in the night. The estate where my Dad lives were all built with them and he seems pleased. Not given any trouble in 10 years. Theres a fan which comes on when you need a quick boost . I think its much more flexible than regular storage heaters but it is quite big, and there have been problems with noise/vibration in some houses

These are different to the one that I fitted as an exchange. Its an electric boiler on a wet heating system that is used when needed and not on e7 or e10.

Batty