WATER HEATING - ELECTRIC WATER HEATING EXPLAINED

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Electric water heating uses an electric element in direct contact with water to heat either a cylinder of water (storage) or water as it is used (instantaneous).

Storage
water stores of between 7litres and 305litres can be used to provide hot water at the turn of a tap. Small under sink units of 7-15litres provide small properties or commercial premises with a regular flow of small amounts of water for either kitchen sinks or hand wash basins with little installation requirements other than that of a cold water and electricity supply. Water is stored in highly insulated cases and is re-heated as it is used. Locating the units close to the point of use reduces the pipework and energy losses from piping hot water long distances. Larger units are able to supply hot water to multiple outlets or to commercial sinks where water demand may be very high. Unvented units provide high flow rates with no additional stored water required in the premises.

Instantaneous
By heating the water only as it is used energy usage is kept to a minimum. Instantaneous water heaters only turn on when they detect a demand for water, so can remain unused for long periods without using any energy. This is particularly useful in premises where space is a premium and water storage would be difficult to locate and also where water usage is irregular. Another benefit is the relatively low installation costs, because the units use the cold mains water supply, reducing hot water pipe runs. Flow rates can range from a minimal amount for handwashing from the units such as the Handyman, providing one of the cheapest means of supplying a handwash facility, to the 13.2litres/min of the 3-phase 24kw units.