What are these timers?

[Riverrun]

Hi all,

I've got a little problem and I was wondering if anybody could help. I am a small time landlord and recently some new tenants moved in to one of my properties. I always thought that the water heating in this property was a switch on immersion untimed with a stat. The switch is in the cupboard in the bathroom. They are claiming that there is some sort of timer in the property. They are saying that the water is hot during the day and they don't want to be paying unnecessarily for this. The previous tenant said that it was an on/off immersion switch. So I asked them to point out where the timer was and they directed me to the Consumer Unit. Underneath where the electricity comes into the building, there are two timers and neither I nor the tenants know what they are for. I was wondering if anybody out there has any idea what they are. Having done a little research on the internet I am wondering if they are Consumer Unit Timers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Riverrun

 

[Darkwood]

Without been on sight and sourcing the wiring its difficult to say but if you have neon lights on your immersion heaters then the little black knobs on the timers will advance the timer to its next state on if off and vice versa, you could see if this effects the neon lights?
Its possible they are old and redundent but you may need to get someone in to check it out.
the first timer has no timer setting and although may have power it dosnt look like its switching anything.

Its difficult to make out which is the off and on tab on the second timer but its either only on between 1030 and midnight or only off between 1030 and midnight, either way not a economical set-up if it is used at all

 

[wurm]

since u say the tennats say the water is on constantly id say the hot water isa set to be on at 12 and then off at 2230....thus only being switched off for and hr and a half ...hpe this helps

 

[mr david]

You need a rewire mate!

 

[Riverrun]

Thanks for the replies. Would it be right to say that the timers only work if the immersion switch itself is actually on in the first place. Anyway I think the situation need a look at by an electrician.

Riverrun