Help - how do I get hot water?

[1000Stars]

Hi, I’ve just moved into a flat and haven’t a clue how to get hot water. Can someone explain to me like I’m 5 months please. Is it a case of moving the little clock things in … also I know electricity is crazy expensive so any tips on how to be as economical as possible would be really helpful. It’s a Grasslin eco save thingy. Thanks

This, which you said is around 7am, is actually pointing to around 9.15am (the wintertime arrow).

Thank you so much. This all makes perfect sense! I’ve moved the dial now to the correct winter time. Is there a way I can check if it’s economy 7. There is only one electricity meter…not a day/night one. Would it also mean that the tank is heated over night regardless of what the timer is set to? Thanks again everyone for helping. Also out of interest what is everyone’s monthly bill if on a similar system /electric only. Octopus have quoted me a fixed £86 a month tariff … is this reasonable. It’s a small 2bed flat and no one is home during the day.

Is it a smart meter? This could allow economy 7, but you should be able to check from scrolling through the options.
If it is an old fashioned dial meter and there is only 1 then it couldn't be economy 7.

Edit: if you don't have economy 7 or similar tariff options then you are unlikely to have the necessary meters.
Eg I'm now on Octopus variable time tariff (re. Solar panels). I've only got 1 incoming meter, but because it is a smart meter it reports the usage in the different time periods so Octopus can bill accordingly. End edit.

As there is a timer I wouldn't expect the tank to heat overnight regardless, it should heat as per the timer settings.

(My old economy 7 one didn't have a timer, it was linked directly to the economy 7 meter and only received electric for those 7 hours).

You can’t meaningfully compare your bill with another all-electric household, there are too many variables to consider.

@Chasingsquirrels thank you- genuinely appreciate your help. That all makes a lot of sense.

If you press the button on the meter does it cycle through so you can see something like R1 and R2?

You can just have one meter but two different readings.

Phone Octopus on Monday and check your tariff. They definitely do E7 because I'm on it.

E7 means your overnight rate is about 13p a KWh and the day rate is something like 32p (rather than it being say 26p all day). Depends where you live as to the exact prices even with the same supplier.

If you have electric hungry appliances like storage heaters or water tanks the cheaper the better as far as the rate as you use way more of this than the peak rate.

Given that the peak rate is more than the normal flat rate, you want to try and offset as much of your use as possible so set the washing machine to come on at 6am (assuming cycle not more than an hour and a half), dishwasher, any panel heaters to warm up rooms for an hour first thing etc.

You are doing the right thing to ask questions because if you are not used to all electric systems and fail to use them efficiently you can get a sick with bills.

In terms of your bills, with an all electric system you will have a big disparity between summer and winter.

Given you are joining now, depending how much you heat the flat £89 sounds okay.

I'd expect it to be more than you use over the warmer months but ideally you want to build up credit before winter.

Keep an eye on your meter to get a sense of how many kWhs a day you use and on what rate.

Write down your tariff rates when you phone them and then you can do a quick calculation once you have a normal week and see how it looks (remembering to add about £15 a month for the standing charges).