A question about boilers

[steveyeung]

I am a bridge engineers and want to ask a question about electric boiler....

I've moved into a new flat whiich is fitted with an electric bolier. I find it doesn;t work very well. Could anybody tell me, after swithing it on, how long I have to waited before I can turn the hot water tape?

In addition, if I turn on the water tape immediately after the power is on. Does it cause damage to the electric boiler?

Thanks

 

[willard3]

Is this a domestic water heater or a boiler?

How much water is stored in the device in gallons?

 

[pmover]

steveyeung,

1) as far as how long to wait, well, that depends upon heating element output capacity, amount of water, and water temp.

2) do not think so, flowing water through the boiler after power-up should not hurt the boiler. recommend consulting with mfg of boiler though.

some matters to consider or investigate . . .
when was the boiler last cleaned (if known and possible)? any build-up of debris, sediment, etc. in boiler may cover electric heating element, thus impede heat transfer capabilities and cost more to heat the water.

good luck!
-pmover

 

[MintJulep]

Assuming that this is a domestic water heater:

You can turn on the tap anytime. You won't hurt anything, you will simply get unhot water.

If you know the items listed in pmover's point 1, and the surface area and conductivity of the tank, you can calculate the time to heat up. Simpler however to just measure it.

Things to consider:

Don't turn it off.

Install a timer.

 

[steveyeung]

It is a domestic boiler.

I'm not the owenr of the flat but just a tenant. However, I believe the bioler is about 5-10 years old. The boiler is not pretty big, measuring 1.75m height by 1m diameter. These dimensions include the thickness of the Insulation material....

I think the boiler hasn't been frequently cleaned so I think there is a thick layer of limescale inside the bolier. In London, drinking water is "quite hard".

I have done several tests and found I have had to wait about 45mins to 1hr to get ho water from the shower before water is warm (not hot). However, my partner kept the hot water tap on for washing dishes in the kitchen. As a result, I believe that she must/has to turn off the hot water tap while the boiler is working.

 

[quark]

Time to barter the boiler for salt.

Say, if you consume 20 liters for bath, inlet temperature is 20[sup]0[/sup]C and with an outlet temperature of 45[sup]0[/sup]C, the total heat load is 20 x 4.2 x (45-20) = 2100 kJ. If you have a 1 kW heater in the boiler, that should take about 2100 seconds or 35 minutes. With a 2 kW heater, the time is 17.5 minutes.

With a 1 kW heater and with the temperatures I specified, if you are using the water at a rate of 0.75 lpm, you can continuously use it. If it is a 2 kW heater then you can go upto 1 lpm.

 

[pmover]

time to "undomesticate" or re-visit the old ways . . .
put water in a large pot and heat it on stove top. take pot of warm water to bathtub and cleanse yourself with the warm water. works just a well . . . i've done this many times . . . although not as "convienent" or "comfortable" . . .

good luck!
-pmover