How long do I need my hot water on ?

[pickledonionsandwine]

Trying to cut my bills. I think my water is on too long.

If we shower at 7.45 and wash up at 1pm/ 1.30pm then shower at 8pm, what is the minimum.

On the weekends maybe a later bath for the kids at 9am.

So would 30 mins before I want it work?

My shower heats its own water. Does yours definitely feed off your hot water cylinder?

30 mins isn’t enough for us. You might need a bit of trial and error.

Think ours is on for a couple of hours twice a day

An hour in the morning and an hour early evening,

Ours is 45 mins every morning which does for 2x showers (I like mine really hot) and washing up, then 2x kids showers in the eve. Sometimes this runs it all out and if we need anymore we put it on again for half an hour. But days when kids aren't showering, that is more than enough.

@dementedpixie that is loads, have you tried putting it on for less?

Obviously the colder the weather the colder the water will be that you are heating up. How many people are showering? How much washing up bowls/sinks do you do? Try an hour twice a day if there are just two of you

Surely it depends how much of it is getting used as to whether its on too much? Our gas bill is not high.

I do 30 mins three times a day, little washing up as have a dishwasher so only pots but showers/baths daily and never run out.

My shower doesn't heat water.

Me and the toddlers shower together is that weird in the morning. But it's probably a longer shower than just one person would take.

Minimal washing up, more wiping around in day and pots as have a dishwasher.

DH showers in the evening. Then again just any pans or thing that can't go in the dishwasher.

Tanks is a cylinder type one ( new build) , so not sure they hold much.

On weekends toddlers have a bath at some point.

@dementedpixie

Surely it depends how much of it is getting used as to whether its on too much? Our gas bill is not high.

Our gas bill is massive, I'm sure it's mainly heating. But I am trying to reduce it.

We have solar panels so electricity is reduced, although at this time of year only really solar mid morning.

We have ours on for one hour each evening, which is when we all shower usually. There is enough left for someone to shower in the morning if they want.

On e the water in the cylinder is up to temperature the gas won’t be running. You could maybe try turning the cylinder temperature down a little, the same with your boiler although it’s going to be the heating rather than the water that’s costing more.

Glad you posted this as I think I run mine three times a day. May reduce that after reading this thread!

@YorkieTheRabbit

On e the water in the cylinder is up to temperature the gas won’t be running. You could maybe try turning the cylinder temperature down a little, the same with your boiler although it’s going to be the heating rather than the water that’s costing more.

Just wonder how long the water will stay at temp in the cylinder without the boiler on? We will see I've reduced it to an hour x 3 times a day. Would ideally like to loose the lunchtime too. I will check my smart meter.

Our water is on for an hour in the morning and then in the evening for an hour and a half. I like a bath in the evening and we’ve got a large bath. DP will shower in the evening as well, so have it on longer then. When it’s been on in a morning, the water is still hot during the day, it doesn’t drop that quickly, if your in a new build, the cylinder and boiler should be pretty efficient.