Boiler - Heating problem

eirebhoy

Since around three months ago my water has not been staying hot long enough for me to wash the dishes. I could have the emersion on for hours and hours but I'd only get about 10 minutes (at the most) of hot water. It has nothing to do with an insulating jacket because I have never had one and it was alright before. Any ideas what could be the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Sleipnir

dunno if this belongs on the "all things Retro" board!

Does the tank get hot? how far down the tank does it feel warm?
Could be that the hot water tank is not filling properly from the cold water tank, maybe a blockage between the two?
Run a hot tap for a few minutes and then run into the attic and see if the cold water tank is filling up properly (it supplies the HW tank so when water goes to the HT tank, the CW tank needs to refill)
It you run your central heating do you get more hot water?

gamer

SOUNDS TO ME LIKE U NEED A NEW ELEMENT fitted in yur immersion ,,like kettles the sometimes wear out ..especially if left on too long,i think they have 2 elements inside i big i small so if the big one is burned out u,ll only get a small amount of hot water..call i of the plumbers back of nrthside people tell him problem on phone ask him if he can bring element with him ,,these elements sometimes dont have a cutoff circuit so sometimes they simply burnout like a kettle cos people sumtimes switchon immersion and forget to switch it off ,,especially if centralheating is switched on at the same time.u cud searh google for fault problems with immersion water heater .if u have time.or go to library they have loads books on electrical home maintenance.

Sleipnir

could be the element alright but I thought if it was burnt out it wouldn't heat water at all? Then again, a plumber, I ain't.
Could also be that your HW tank and so much limescale in it, there's no room for water (or the element is partially covered in it)
If you wanted to make sure before shelling out for a plumber take a look at

Fernox

eirebhoy

My brother is actually in his final year as an apprentice plumber and my father is also a retired plumber and they know there is a problem but never said they could fix it.

Ryo Hazuki

Right so its a retro boiler?

gamer

Most immersions have 2 elements ..1 big ..1 small.if only the upper part of ur immersion is getting hot that means ,i think,that the large element is burned out but the small element will still work work to produce a smalll amount of water.feel metal casing after 50 mins to see if lower part is hot.unless u have a timer connected to the immersion which cud be set accidently by sum1 ,or wrongly set to turn off boiler after 10 mins.timers on most boilers r crap very hard to set ,not userfriendly.i had similar experience with my immersion,,i just replaced large element and its working fine now. its easy for sumone to adjust timer incorrectedly .sum1 was leaving it on so eventually main element died.kaput.u can get special digital timers for immersions with clock led display that knock boiler off after 1 r 2 or3 hours which prevents overheating ...burnout elements.small element will only heat small amount of water.main element about 12inchs long heats gallons of water for baths showers.

ozpass

Originally posted by Ryo Hazuki
Right so its a retro boiler?

Bloody good point. Moving to DIY.

Victor

When the immersion has been on for more than say 1-2 hours at "bath", it should be much to hot to keep your hand on any section - is this the case?

Could be limescale (hard water) on the heating element, a burnt out element or insufficient water in the system (unlikely).

It could also be someone turned of the wrong valve at some stage. Or adjusted some other setting. Is there a timer or thermostat anywhere?

Get in contact with a plumber and explain your problem with reference to the above. In the meantime use the kettle for washing dishes, etc.

And buy a lagging jacket. Costs about €10 and you will save a least that amount off your next ESB bill.

eirebhoy

Just to say thanks for your help lads, I really appreciate it.

OK, I've had my immersion on for 3 hours now and only the top1/3 of the boiler is hot, the rest is freezing cold. So, since my brother is a plumber what should I do now?

Thanks again.

Victor

Originally posted by eireboy
So, since my brother is a plumber what should I do now?

Print this thread and post it to your brother?

gamer

SEE the top is only hot cos the small element is only working ...the main large element is burnt out ,,like u get if u leave a kettle on too long ,,,u prbly noticed it first in the summer cos the central heating is knocked off so NOW u notice u only have small amount of hot water ,,,so this problem is sometimes masked by the fact that ur central heasting system also heats up the water independent of the immmersion.think of it like an old kettle except its got 2 elements.