How Much Is An Immersion Heater and Tank?
| Part | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Immersion heater | €30 to €50 |
| Hot water cylinder | €300 to €750 |
How Long Should an Immersion Heater Be On For?
| Task | Litres | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bath | 60–80 litres | 1–2 hours |
| Shower | 35–40 litres | 30–45 mins |
| Household washing | 5–10 litres | 5–10 mins |
Are Immersion Heaters Expensive to Run?
| Quantity | Volume | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Cylinder | 120 litres | €1.30 | 2–3 hours |
| Smaller Quantity (Sink Switch) | 40 litres | €0.45 | 50 minutes |
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How Can You Reduce the Costs of Running the Immersion Heater?
- Insulation: Insulating the cylinder keeps water hotter longer. SEAI grants are available for lagging jackets.
- Timers: Installing a timer (approximately €45) prevents overuse and allows scheduling during cheaper night rates.
- Using the Bath/Sink Switch: Using sink mode consumes approximately one-third the energy of bath mode.
- Solar Panels: Can directly power the immersion heater, eliminating operational costs.
What Is an Immersion Heater?
An immersion heater is an electric water heater contained within a hot water cylinder. It works similarly to a kettle — electricity is passed through a metal coil which then heats the surrounding water.
Advantages
- Easy to use and convenient
- Unaffected by boiler breakdowns
- Well-insulated tanks maintain heat for hours
- Can be scheduled for cheaper night rates
Disadvantages
- More expensive than gas water heating
- Requires electricity; power outages mean no hot water
- Slow heating of full tanks
- Insufficient for typical family hot water needs
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Immersion Heater vs. Gas Combi Boiler
| Feature | Immersion Heater | Gas Combi Boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | Low | High |
| Running Cost | High | Low |
| Hot Water Supply | Stored | On-Demand |
| Space | Requires cylinder | Compact |
| Heating | Hot water only | Heating and hot water |
Frequently Asked Questions About immersion heaters
Continuous thermostat cycling creates two problems: the immersion may burn out completely, or boiling water from the immersion cylinder enters the main cylinder, resulting in boiling water coming from your cold taps. Always use a timer.
No. Continuous operation heats unnecessary water, making it costly and inefficient.