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Hissing/boiling sound when immersion heater on.

  • 30-12-2010 01:10PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560
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    Hi all, I'm puzzled the last day or 2 by a hissing noise, a little like a kettle boiling, when the immersion heater is on. I've checked the system for air ( in the hotpress valve) and let out a little but the noise is still there. Anyone any ideas fir where else to look with this? It's not normal, we've never heard it in 4yeara!


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,268 Buford T Justice
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    Is the water in the tank hot?

    The stat in the immersion could be faulty and the water could be boiling over.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 Prenderb
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    Yeah the waters hot alright, someones just had a bath. Will check thermostat, though I think it was fine earlier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 Prenderb
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    Actually, I was checking the stat mounted externally, which I reckon is for the boiler. Is there a stat on the immersion heater itself? Is it a question of just unscrewing it to check?


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 6,854 mp22
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    Turn the immersion off, unscrew one or two screws then carefully remove the cover on the immersion.(make sure it is off as there is 30 plus amps of power in there)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 Prenderb
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    Should I be wary of pressurised hot/warm water?


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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Regional South Moderators Posts: 6,854 mp22
    Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Prenderb wrote: »
    Should I be wary of pressurised hot/warm water?
    No if there is water under the plastic cover you would not have a working immersion.The temp adj is beside the electrical connections


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,911 meercat
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    http://www.diydata.com/problem/immersion/immersion_heaters.php
    remember to turn power off before going near this job


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 Prenderb
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    meercat wrote: »

    Helpful link thanks - and of course your advice is noted! TBH I'm not noticing that the hot water is particularly hotter than usual. Maybe this is an early sign?

    Could hard water have anything to do with the noise? I haven't had a chance to
    open the cover and see about the thermostat - visitors doncha know.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,829 Dan Jaman
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    It's common for immersion heaters to make a hissing noise in hard water areas. Nothing to worry about, but the scale is building up on the element and it might not last another year, depending on useage. If you have an unlagged cylinder, the noise is louder, of course.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,118 Sparkpea
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    I agree a kettle/hissing type noise is fairly normal in my opnion


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 Prenderb
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    Thanks for all the replies guys. Have just also noticed that there doesn't seem to be any water coming through the top-up feed from the attic tank at the moment. Might be an airlock there if there was ice in the feed, could that be connected to the hissing noise either? There was more air released from the air release valve this morning.

    Feel like such a noob!

    HAven't checked element or element 'stat yet, btw.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,268 Buford T Justice
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    The Hot water in the Cylinder is filled from the bottom, and drains out to the taps from the top.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,118 Sparkpea
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    do you boys find the new immersions hiss/boil more now than they did years ago? sometimes they can be seen to shake when the element is heating. the copper body is probably not as strong as it used to be.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,829 Dan Jaman
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    The cylinders are made of pretty thin copper nowadays, but it's still possible to buy a decent quality one - for a price.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7 Jimibo


    Hi, my heater is making a noise as well. I'm wondering if I should de-scale it. Has anyone done that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,299 dodzy
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    Panic stations setting in people. A slight buzzing from the tank is normal. If there no problem with you hot water supply, then leave alone. The elements have a life span (shorter in hard water areas ) but sure when it does pack in, you will know about it as there will be most likely an RCD trip on the consumer unit or possibly no hot water when when one of either bath or sink is selected. Address it then.

    And forget about descaling.


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