Most homeowners are familiar with the concept of an immersion heater – a device that heats the water quickly by using electricity to create resistance. What many people don’t know, however, is that there is a way to boost the performance of these heaters by using a timer.
Immersion heater timers with a boost are a great way to save energy and money. They work by allowing you to preset the time that you want your immersion heater to come on and then providing a boost of power for the first few minutes of the cycle, which helps to heat the water faster.
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This can help you save energy and money, as you won’t need to leave your immersion heater on all day long. There are a number of different brands and models of immersion heater timers with boost available, below we will look at the best ones.
Timeguard TRTD7N Digital Economy 7 Timer switch with Boost Control
This immersion heater timer is perfect for anyone using an Economy 7 off-peak rate overnight electricity plan.
- Automatic summer/winter time changeover
- 2 year factory fitted battery for memory back-up
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With pre-selected timing options that are manually adjustable, this timer switch allows the user to program it however they need.
There are also three pre-programmed automatic boost options – 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours – as well as a countdown boost display that shows the amount of time remaining on the boost. These are manually adjustable, so you can program this timer switch to your own needs.
Additionally, the automatic summer/winter time changeover feature ensures your programming is always up to date.
This timer switch is supplied and fitted with a standard size Economy 7 wall box with industry-standard plug-in connections, making it easy to use right out of the box.
The countdown boost display also shows the amount of time remaining before the boost kicks in and it even automatically changes over to summer or wintertime.
Zerodis Digital Timer Electric Programmable Smart Control Switch Timer
If you are looking to automate your home routine and save on energy costs, then you should look no further than this Smart Control Switch Timer.
- Safe Material -- The digital time switch is made of plastic, non-toxic and odorless, which is safe for home use and can...
- Energy Saving -- The timer automatically turns on and off lamps, Christmas lights, humidifiers and other appliances to...
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This top-of-the-line timer is made from non-toxic, odorless plastic and can be used repeatedly for long periods of time.
It automatically helps you conserve energy without any hassle. Plus, the built-in battery backup means your programmed settings will stay intact even during a power outage – so you never have to worry about losing your preferences again.
With pre-selected timing options that are manually adjustable, this timer switch allows the user to program it however they need to.
Horstmann E15 Electrisaver Electronic Push Button Boost Timer Switch
If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to boost your home’s energy efficiency, then this timer switch can help you save up to 15% on your energy bills by automatically switching off power to your appliances after a set amount of time.
- Boost period: 15 / 30 / 60 minutes
- Purpose of control: Electronic timer (Independently mounted)
Last update on 2024-04-11 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The best part? It’s incredibly easy to use; just press the button to activate the timer, and let the Electrisaver take care of the rest.
This handy device allows you to set a time period during which your appliance will run at full power – perfect for boosting your shower’s output during those cold winter mornings, or for running your dishwasher late at night when rates are lower.
With three different time periods available, the Electrisaver is ideal for any situation. And its electronic timer means you can count on precision and accuracy every time.
This electronic timer switch can help you boost your power usage for short periods of time, so you can get the most out of your appliances without breaking the bank.
With an operating temperature range of 0°C to 35°C, this timer switch is perfect for use in any environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immersion Heaters
Can you put a timer on an immersion heater?
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to want to set the timer on their immersion heater. The answer is yes, but it depends on what type of immersion heater you have.
Adding a timer switch to your immersion heater will allow you to have more control over your heating. This means that you can set it to come on and off automatically, which can help you save energy and money.
There are a few different types of timers that you can use with your immersion heater, so it’s important to choose the one that is right for your needs.
Immersion heater timers are convenient and easy to use, which helps save on your energy bill without any extra effort on your part.
Is it best to keep an immersion heater on all the time?
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not you want to leave your immersion heater on all the time.
If it’s winter and you don’t have a thermostat, then yes you can leave your immersion heater on all the time because it is always at the perfect temperature.
However, if you do have a thermostat in your home, then it might make more sense to set your immersion heater to turn off during times of lower use such as when everyone has left for work and school.
If you really do need hot water throughout the day, you can add a timer switch to your immersion heater so that it will come on and heat up at just the right time.
There is no risk to leaving your immersion heater always on, however, there are some advantages to having a timer switch installed.
- You’ll save money by reducing your energy usage
- Your home will be cooler because less energy is being used
- The risk of scalding from hot water decreases significantly
- Leaving an appliance running unnecessarily increases wear and tear
- Turning the appliance off allows it to rest and cool down, which can prolong its lifespan.
Is it cheaper to leave the immersion on all the time?
The heat output of your immersion heater will depend on the size and model of the tank, how well it is insulated, whether or not you have central heating in your home, and how cold it is outside.
For most families, it is not cheaper to leave their immersion heater on all the time.
For instance, if you live alone in a small single room apartment with little insulation then leaving your immersion heater on all day may be cheaper than turning it off every time you go out for work or school.
On the other hand, if you live in a large house with central heating then chances are keeping the immersion heater running all day will be more expensive than turning it off when not needed.
Exploring this in more detail will also give some insight into what determines how much energy is used.
The first thing we need to look at is the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
In the United Kingdom, there’s a Standing charge and a unit charge. A standing charge is a fixed amount that you are charged each day, regardless of how much gas or electricity you use. While a unit rate is a price you will pay per unit, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy, so it can change depending on how much energy you use.
The average charge according to the Energy Saving Trust is a rate of 14.7p per kWh, but can be anywhere between 15p and 80p per kWh depending on your supplier.
So if your electric company charges 20p per kWh, then turning off an immersion heater can save £2 every day!
With that said, there are also times when you need hot tap water regularly, an immersion heater timer can be useful in ensuring you have hot water on demand.
Can I leave my immersion heater on overnight?
Most modern immersion heaters have a thermostat that will turn the heater off when it reaches a certain temperature
This prevents the immersion heater from being on all night and saves energy
If you’re using an older immersion heater that doesn’t have a thermostat, then you should definitely consider getting a timer switch added. In most cases, leaving it on for a few hours will warm it up sufficiently.
In fact, instead of leaving your immersion heater on all night, you can time it to switch on 2 hours before you wake up or 2 hours before you want hot water. This way your immersion heater will already be powered up to the perfect temperature when it comes time for you to bath or shower.
Is leaving an immersion heater all the time cheaper than using a timer switch?
The average price of electricity in the UK is 14.7p per kWh (less if you live in Scotland), and a typical immersion heater uses 4kW of power.
A timer switch costs around £35 to install, and once it’s installed you can expect to see savings of between £4-£18 a day depending on the price of electricity in your area.
What happens if you leave your immersion on?
If you’re not going to be home all day, or you know that you’re not going to need hot water for an extended period of time, it’s best to turn your immersion heater off.
Leaving your immersion heater on all the time is not only expensive, but it can also be dangerous. The main problem with leaving your immersion on constantly is that the water will become scalding hot and possibly burn or the immersion thermostat will be constantly switching on and off.
By using a timer switch, you can have hot water when you need it without worry. If you have no choice but to leave your immersion heater on, then be cautious when using hot water and keep an eye on the temperature.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of different immersion heater timers with a boost available on the market. The best one for your needs will depend on your specific situation.
Be sure to compare features to ensure it meets your needs, before making your purchase. With the right timer switch, you can save energy and money while heating your water quickly and efficiently.
