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Left hot water on for 24 hours straight - will it really cost me?
I normally only need to switch the hot water boiler on twice a week for half an hour a time and that gives ample hot water for the week.
However, I switched it on yesterday morning and forgot to switch it off - and I only just realised it was still on half an hour ago, so it's therefore been on continuously for more than 24 hours.
Now I don't know the first thing about whether it's constantly heating up the water during that time, so what I basically want to know is: will having it on so long cost me a massive amount in extra electricity?
However, I switched it on yesterday morning and forgot to switch it off - and I only just realised it was still on half an hour ago, so it's therefore been on continuously for more than 24 hours.
Now I don't know the first thing about whether it's constantly heating up the water during that time, so what I basically want to know is: will having it on so long cost me a massive amount in extra electricity?
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Probably not. Once it's reached temperature it will switch off and if you have not used it will only run to maintain the temperature.
I can't - it's behind a load of airing cupboard shelving and there's no light in there.
I would think that's it's just going to be switching on briefly every now and then.
I wouldn't be that concerned, I'm just guessing but I would think it'll be around £5 extra. The total "on" time is not going to be 24hrs
Don't worry there will be a thermostat, all immersion heaters have them.
Yeah, I think the insulation is pretty good.
The real frustration is I'm always ultra-careful - to the point of being paranoid - that I haven't turned the water off and on every occasion I have, but this once it just didn't cross my mind.
Hey ho.
I'd better change supplier then.
I don't believe you (unless you take no hot showers or baths).
He must already be doing that if the opening post is to be believed.
Urban myth #37 recycled for the umpteenth time.
£5 extra? I'd say it'll be a small fraction of that, for the very reason you give.
Except it's perfectly true
Electric shower? In the summer last year, I didn't bother with my water heater at all. Switched it off and left it. Hot showers as it was an electric shower and just boiled the kettle to do the dishes.
If your lucky.
Even if you have a 3KW heater element, and it was actually running for 24 hours solid, that would only cost you about £11 tops.
But I think it unlikely it would have been running all the time. It would be a bit dangerous not to have a thermostat in the tank, which will switch it off when the water gets hot. Then it's just a matter of the thermostat topping the heat back up for a short while every few hours, as the tank radiates heat and the water cools slightly.
Rather than the money, I'd be more concerned about having a hot water tank that can't turn itself off. Heating elements that are on all the time can burn out a lot sooner.