Wiring an Electric Heater into The Mains

• 

  retiredfeline on 04/03/2017 - 16:20

  +2

  The efficiency of a heat pump comes from the fact that it's providing heat by moving heat energy from the outside to the inside, rather than converting the electricity to heat.

  Even if you got the lower tariff for a heater for wiring it into the mains you would not benefit from the aforementioned efficiency.

  • 

    Diji1 on 04/03/2017 - 21:01

    Only correct if the outside temprature is under 5 degrees typically.

    • 

      retiredfeline on 04/03/2017 - 21:03

      It's the gum mint's fault! ;)

  • 

    mingofmongo on 09/03/2017 - 09:57

    Most heat pumps should be able to transfer heat even when it's below zero Celcius outside.

    (Don't forget - any temperature above 0 Kelvin indicates the presence of heat, so when it's zero outside and 20 inside, you're still talking about moving heat from 273 degree Kelvin to 293 Kelvin)

    Our heat pump struggles a little when it gets down to zero outside, but it never drops below 17 inside.

• 

  SharedSugar on 04/03/2017 - 17:16

  +2

  I think the following site describes the efficiency issue. They mention an estimated 80% electricity reduction by changing from a traditional electric to a heat pump to heat an equivalent space. If pure efficiency in staying warm is key an electric blanket is the most efficient source.
  http://yourenergysavings.gov.au/energy/heating-cooling/under…

  • 

    try2bhelpful on 04/03/2017 - 18:05

    +2

    I concur - Thermal clothing, mink blankets, down doonas and cats are a more efficient heating source than electric heaters.

    • 

      airzone on 04/03/2017 - 18:58

      +1

      Cats also have the benefit of keeping your place pest-free.

      • 

        Peter Enis on 04/03/2017 - 20:32

        Except cats can cost at least $2/day to feed so thats over $700/year without even considering vet fees, boarding costs, etc.

        So you don't get a cat just for warmth value alone…

      • 

        nocure on 04/03/2017 - 20:37

        +1

        @musthazbargains:

        Except cats can cost at least $2/day

        Not an OzB cat

      • 

        try2bhelpful on 04/03/2017 - 20:40

        +1

        @musthazbargains: True. the warmth from the cat on your lap is a side benefit.

• 

  Euphemistic on 04/03/2017 - 19:55

  It sounds as though you are talking about a heat pump water heater. The different tariff would be 'off peak', normally about 10pm to maybe 7am. That is why those units are hard wired. It may be possible to install an additional 'off peak' only power point, I've heard of it done before for a washing machine. Problem being it will only work when the off peak power is available (overnight).

  You could get a time of use meter installed allowing you to use anything at a lower rate off peak or shoulder, but it usually will cost a bit more for peak usage about 2pm-8pm.

  • 

    ThirdRonnie on 05/03/2017 - 12:57

    +1

    That's not how it works in Tasmania. For hot water and household heating, there is Tariff 42, also known as "Hydroheat" which is full time at the lower tariff of about 16 c per unit, as opposed to the normal household tariff around 26 c/unit.

    • 

      vk2xxy on 06/03/2017 - 00:52

      So for Tariff 41 (Aurora Energy) an additional meter will have to be installed. No doubt the "heater" will have to be some sort of permitted device.

    • 

      Euphemistic on 06/03/2017 - 08:23

      Thanks, was not aware of that. Seems a weird system, but I guess it makes sense as it is a reasonably predictable load.

• 

  Randxyz123 on 04/03/2017 - 20:40

  Can you elaborate on what sort of place doesn't have heating? Surely that is a expected feature of a house unless you are paying basically nothing in rent?

  • 

    Tasmaniac on 04/03/2017 - 20:56

    My place is just a basic apartment in the suburbs of Hobart. I don't think rentals are even required to include heating ?!.

• 

  Diji1 on 04/03/2017 - 21:00

  +1

  Why are we calling air conditioners heat pumps now?

  • 

    ThirdRonnie on 05/03/2017 - 13:01

    +1

    Firstly, because it's the more accurate term. It pumps heat either into or out of your house. "Air conditioner" is marketing-speak for a heat pump, just as "vitamiser" used to be marketing terminology for a blender.

    Secondly, in Tasmania, the heat pump is more often used for heating than for cooling.

  • 

    Well Wasted on 06/03/2017 - 07:51

    when in tasmania…

  • 

    Seraphin7 on 06/03/2017 - 12:27

    For the same reason cars used to be called horseless carriages?

  • 

    mingofmongo on 09/03/2017 - 10:01

    Heat pump is the correct term in physics.

    It is also quicker than "Reverse-cycle air conditioner"

    It is also unambiguous, given that air conditioning can include the evaporative type (using tap water to cool the air) as well as the refrigerant type.

    But it's also good marketing in Tasmania where people might ask "why do you need an air conditioner, you live in Tasmania" because they think air conditioners are just for cooling.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 05/03/2017 - 10:58

  Hot water bottle with its own kettle do you can reuse the water

• 

  Electriken on 20/03/2017 - 12:42

  +1

  Hello ,
  The best form of Heating and cooling at the cheapest price will always be a heat pump /Air conditioner . Make sure you get one that is suited for the Tassy winters . Talk to your local Refrigeration /Air Con/Electrical installers they will tell you which unit is the best for you area. You may even find one that will just plug into a 16Amp-20 amp power ckt. Before you go down the road to purchase a unit make sure your roof has good insulation and that you windows have good curtains and Pelmets and if not you should purchase some plastic Bubble wrap and apply that to the inside of your windows and this will act like a good insulation blanket in stopping the cold air from cooling your rooms. Check on the net for Bubble wrap my Windows.

  Regards Electriken