Pulsacoil – high bills?

If you’re suffering from high electricity bills with your Gledhill Pulsacoil, here are a few possible reasons. 

The first thing to say is electricity is an EXPENSIVE fuel. Daytime electricity is typically about four times the price of gas per unit of energy purchased. Night time off peak electricity is cheaper provided you are on a low cost off peak tariff and the Pulsacoil is designed to take advantage of these tariffs. If you are not on one, you will be paying the same price for your water-heating electricity day and night. So check your tariff and change it if necessary. You need what used to be known as “Economy 7” tariff, where the price of electricity consumed in the seven hours between midnight and 7.00am is about half the price of daytime electricity. Most electricity suppliers have such a tariff but few call it “Economy 7” nowadays. So check your tariff with your provider and change it if necessary. 

Secondly you may have a time switch on the wall next to your Pulsacoil. This is for you to set the water heating to come ON at midnight and turn off at 7.00am to coincide with your low cost night time period. I often see these set to heat the Pulsacoil during the daytime period and the customers didn’t realise this will be bumping up the bills by burning expensive daytime electricity unnecessarily. So if you have a timer, check it and adjust it if necessary to come on only during the cheap rate billing period as stated in your tariff details. 

And thirdly, should you run out of hot water in the daytime, most Pulsacoils have a “Boost” heater operated by a switch on the wall (except for the Pulsacoil A-Class). This is for you to use to get some extra hot water immediately if expensively, on day rate electricity. Make sure yours is routinely turned OFF and only used when you need it. I sometimes see then left ON all the time, 24/7/365. This causes your Pulsacoil to burn expensive daytime electricity to replenish the tank every time you use some hot water. So find yours and check it is OFF!

I hope that helps. If you have any questions, post them in the comments below and I’ll answer them when I get a chance.