Immersion heater check in Exeter
Professional immersion heater check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Immersion heater tested to find out if it's working properly. Element checked, thermostat tested, honest diagnosis of what's wrong if anything.
When Hot Water Stops Being Hot
Water taking hours to heat up? Never getting properly hot? Electricity bill massive but no hot water? Something's wrong with the immersion heater - question is what.
💡 Pro tip: Before calling anyone, check the timer is actually turning the immersion on. Sounds obvious but it's often that simple.
Guessing vs. Proper Testing
"Maybe it's broken" isn't a diagnosis:
| ✅ Proper Check | ❌ Guessing |
|---|---|
| Test element with multimeter | Assume it's dead |
| Check thermostat settings | Hope adjusting fixes it |
| Verify it's getting power | Replace things randomly |
| Honest diagnosis | Spend money on wrong parts |
Twenty minutes to know exactly what's wrong vs. weeks of cold showers.
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Power Check | Verify immersion is getting electricity |
| Element Test | Check element has continuity (or is dead) |
| Thermostat | Test trips at correct temperature |
| Diagnosis | Honest assessment - simple fix or proper work needed |
📦 You're Left With
- Understanding what's wrong
- Advice on whether to repair or replace
- Thermostat adjusted if that fixes it
- Quote for repair if needed
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic immersion check | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| Check + thermostat adjustment | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Check + diagnose complex fault | 30-45 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum (first hour). Actual repairs (element replacement) quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Water not heating - immersion on but water cold
✅ Takes too long - hours to get lukewarm water
✅ High bills - electricity through the roof
✅ Intermittent - works sometimes, not others
Why Choose Us for Immersion heater check in Exeter?
Element tested for continuity
Thermostat checked and adjusted
Obvious faults identified
Honest advice on repair vs replace
What to Expect
Step 1: Basic Checks
Verify power is getting to the immersion, check timer is working, make sure it's actually switched on (obvious but often overlooked).
Step 2: Element Test
Use multimeter to test if the element has continuity. Dead element = no heating, simple as that.
Step 3: Thermostat Check
Test thermostat is clicking in and out at the right temperatures. Often it's just set wrong or needs replacing.
🔧 DIY Tips
Some basic checks you can do yourself:
🔧 Safety first:
- Turn OFF power at fuse box before touching anything
- Immersions run on 240V - can kill you
- If not confident, don't mess with it
📐 Basic troubleshooting:
- Check timer is actually ON during heating time
- Find the immersion switch (often in airing cupboard)
- Make sure it's switched ON
- Turn it on for 1 hour, check if cylinder feels warm
- If cylinder stays cold, element or power fault
- If cylinder gets warm but water not hot enough, thermostat issue
⚠️ Common issues:
- Timer set wrong - immersion never comes on
- Thermostat set too low - water only lukewarm (adjust it higher)
- Dead element - cylinder stays cold (needs replacing)
- Faulty thermostat - element doesn't turn off (boiling water, massive bills)
💡 Pro trick: Most thermostats have an adjustment dial or screw. Try turning it up a bit and seeing if water gets hotter. But be careful - don't set it so high water boils (scalding risk).
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚡ Dual immersions: Some cylinders have two elements - one at top (quick heat for small amount), one at bottom (full cylinder). If top works but bottom doesn't, you get hot water for one shower then nothing.
Element replacement: If element's dead, it's £30-50 for the part plus 1-2 hours labour to drain cylinder, remove old one, fit new, refill, test. Often worth doing if cylinder is otherwise sound.
Exeter's older houses often have ancient cylinders with equally ancient immersions. If yours is original from the 80s, might be worth considering a whole new cylinder - modern ones are way better insulated and more efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my immersion heater is working?
Turn it on for an hour, then run the hot tap. If water isn't noticeably warmer, something's wrong. Could be the element (heats the water), the thermostat (controls temperature), or the wiring.
What can you check without removing the heater?
I can test if it's getting power, check the thermostat trips at the right temperature, and feel if the cylinder is warming up. If the element itself is dead, it needs removing to replace - that's a plumber's job really.
Why is my water only lukewarm?
Thermostat probably set too low or faulty. Easy fix - adjust or replace the thermostat. If it's set high and water's still lukewarm, the element might be partially failed.
How long should it take to heat?
Standard 3kW immersion takes 1-2 hours to fully heat a cylinder from cold. If it's taking 4+ hours or never getting hot, something's not right.
Can you replace it if it's broken?
I can replace thermostats and check wiring. Replacing the actual element means draining the cylinder, unscrewing the old one, fitting new - that's really a plumber's job because you need to seal it properly. I'll advise honestly what's needed.
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