3000W Hot Water Cylinders
Filed under Appliance Power Use and Running Costs, Energy Efficiency and Power Bills, Water Heating.
April 22nd, 2009
We now have plumbers replacing water cylinders with 3000watt elements fitted in them by the manufacturer.For the average home this practice must be stopped.A 2000 w. element is more than adequate.At this rate adding 1000w to each waterheater in 500,000 homes equals another power station required.The only time these els are needed is,.i.e.cowsheds and hair dressers.This practice is becming widespread.This is serious.Sincerely Larry.
editor, April 22nd, 2009 on 11:45 pm
Thanks for your post, Larry.
My viewpoint on it is that if cylinders are really well insulated, this might be a concern only in that it could potentially increase the demand on the electricity system experienced by cylinders being emptied by morning showers and then all trying to heat back up more quickly at a similar time of day. However, I’m not sure how much of an issue this would actually be.
If cylinders are uninsulated, I guess the 3000 watt elements do have the potential to raise the water temperature more quickly, thus leading to slightly higher heat losses over time, probably a fairly minor point however.
Does anyone else have a viewpoint on this one??
Sarah Free ( energy advisor Wellington HEAC)