Unvented hot water cylinder (electric)

[AidanGee93]

Advice please?  (Attached pics)

Got unvented hot water cylinder in a flat (1995 build) I just purchased, fully electric flat no gas.

The unvented hot water tank has two switches...

1 is off peak supply (through the night it runs only- cheaper prices).

Other is 24 hour on demand so heats at any time throughout day (peak times so normal elec rates).

But...There's a third switch (in kitchen)....

 

So I plan leaving off peak switch on and others off so that tank heats up during night and is hot enough next day as I know if left 24hr on, the tank would constantly heat up to a required temp via thermostat so using alot of electricity...

 

I was told that if I wanted a bath say, and the hot water wasn't as warm as I'd have liked (Ie last heated in the tank night before)I can switch on the 24hr switch for hit water in demand...which makes sense.

 

My question is, following on from above I was told I'd have to switch the kitchen socket (silver switch) on along with the 24 HR supply switch to achieve the on demand hot water? Does this sound right...or is it possible that the silver switch located in kitchen is for hot water on demand to the kitchen sink?

 

Also told if just showering and no baths just leave the off peak switch on and rest off so uses as little electriciy as possible.

 

Any tips on this would be great before I waste a small fortune.  It all makes sense just the third kitchen switch is throwing me off a little like why is it there and not just use the switch marked 24hr next to off peak??

 

Any help much appreciated.

[SteamyTea]

You can usually hear an immersion heater work by the fizzing sound.

So during the day, try keeping the kitchen switch off, and flick the 'Peak Supply' switch on, you should be able to heat some noise from the cylinder, or you can check the meter and see if you have an extra 3 kW load on.

The kitchen switch may be just a secondary switch to make life easier i.e. not having to open a cupboard.

 

Most of us on here like to keep water temperature as low as possible to save parasitic losses.

I have a 200 lt DHW cylinder and store, via E7, water at 50°C.  That is enough for a bath and a shower.

 

Check the thermostats as the upper one (peak) should be higher temperature than the lower one (off peak).