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How Do I Know If My LPG Bottle Is Empty?

A shower running cold mid-bath is never a welcome change. And it’s just as frustrating when your heating appliance or gas hob stops without a hint, because you’re suddenly out of gas. You can stop this annoying thing from happening again if you know when your LPG bottle is running low.

Help is here as we’ll show you an easy way to check when the bottle is about to run empty – so you can keep your gas supply going.

How long does a LPG bottle last?
For a family of two adults and two children, a 45kg bottle used for both hot water and gas cooktops will typically last about 6-8 weeks. It’s a different thing if you add a gas-fired space heater.

Gas cylinders typically have a change-over regulator (reg) installed between them. Some cylinders have an automatic reg that switches from the empty bottle to the full one when the first runs out. Other cylinders have a manual regulator, which you will need to turn by hand to switch to the reserve bottle.

The change-over regulator usually has a viewing window or an indicator. When both bottles are full, the indicator will be Black, Green or Clear. When one bottle is empty, the indicator will be RED. The reg will have a change-over valve and a directional arrow. If your regulator is manual, do not adjust the directional arrow. Many people mistake it for the change-over valve, but the arrow simply indicates which bottle is empty.

It’s a good idea to regularly check the indicator on the change-over regulator, so you can call us when one bottle is empty.

How to test the level of LPG in the cylinder
One way is to pour warm (not boiling) water down the side of the bottle. Wait a few minutes, then run your hand down the side of the bottle. The level where it feels cool to the touch indicates how much LPG is left.

This is a fairly accurate method, but there’s an easier and faster way – using a LPG cylinder weighscale.

gas_bottle_scaleThis is an innovative sensing device that monitors bottled gas levels and automatically sends an accurate reading of the remaining gas in the cylinder. The weighscale is installed underneath your LPG cylinders. We can set them up for you, and once they’re there, checking your cylinders will be one less thing to worry about.

The device is also tied to a mobile app, which you can  access to get detailed daily usage reports or prompts when your cylinders need a refill. You never need to guess the gas level as there are easy to view visuals and graphs for the remaining LPG. As the supplier, we also have this data in the app, so we’ll also know when to deliver the next cylinder so you can keep your gas going without interruptions.

This works for both residential and commercial applications. For more information about this new technology, a chat or call is most welcome. Get in touch with Hot Water Cylinders NZ!

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Gas Hot Water Vs Electric

The Hayman Thermostatic Storage Electric Heater made by L.T Hayman Ltd in Auckland you see is almost 60 years old!

gas_VS_electric_water_heatingIncorporated is a Satchwell Thermostat (made in South Africa) enabling the user to change the internal storage temperature. This was before our new laws around Legionnaires’ disease were passed a few years ago preventing manufacturers from incorporating an adjustable thermostat.

As in the case of our Hayman Thermostatic Storage Electric Heater, when an older tank gives up and it’s time replace it, the question each home owner should ask is, “Is it worth switching to gas?”.

To read up on some of the benefits when upgrading to gas, please visit our Upgrade to Gas section.

old_low_pressure_hwcThis blog is not designed to convince you to buy a gas product, rather point out the benefits gas will bring and, in some instances, the disadvantages when upgrading from an electric hot water cylinder.

When looking at gas vs electric water heating there are several things you will want to ask yourself, including why, when, and how much will it cost?

The following should play into your decision making:
Why do I want an upgrade to gas?
Is it Opportunity, because your cylinder needs replacing?
Is it Savings, because you believe gas is cheaper to run?
Is it Lifestyle, because want to enjoy unlimited time in the shower?

Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to know all the facts.

hwc_thermostat_adjustableOpportunity
Without doubt, the best time for an upgrade to gas is when your hot water cylinder needs to be replaced. This is simply because you are about to spend $1500+ on a replacement which could go towards a gas water heating system if all variables apply.

If you have done your due diligence and are confident gas is the way to go, then by all means upgrade to instant gas water heating.

To help with your due diligence, we have compiled the following “to do list” for you.
If you can answer all the below with Yes, then you are ready to go with gas!

  1. Are you upgrading because your hot water cylinder needs to be replaced?
  2. Do you have a single level home?
  3. Are you upgrading from low pressure to gas?
  4. Can the gas unit be positioned in a compliant manner and central to most delivery points, especially the kitchen and shower?
  5. Do you already have gas on the property or intend to go with LPG at the time of upgrade?

Savings
If you are looking at gas because you believe it’s cheaper to run, then you are right and you are wrong. Savings will fully depend on your site conditions and how your current hot water cylinder system is set up.

There are ways to make savings on an electric system without upgrading to gas including:
• Flow restrictors
• Smart controllers
• Better insulation

If your home has 2 levels or more, you may want to be cautious before upgrading to gas as pipe lag and undersized units may result in more energy use, negating any desired savings. Additionally, in many cases when upgrading from mains pressure to gas you will also experience a water pressure drop. Pressure loss with instantaneous water heating systems is very common, especially when retrofitted into the existing house plumbing.

Lifestyle
Lifestyle is one of those reasons that is hardly arguable. The home owner understands the pros and cons and is willing to make sacrifices to gain a specific desired outcome.
Some of these include:
• Longer showers
• Gas cooking
• Combination systems

Despite your motive, it is advisable to keep all the above points in mind.
Whether you are upgrading to gas or upgrading to mains pressure, one of the key factors is your property.

Before making any commitment, get a second or even third opinion. Why not speak to the hot water specialists to get advice on a solution that will not only compliment your property and desired benefits but also meet your budget!
Call Hot Water Cylinders NZ today!

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Manual vs Auto-Reset Cylinder Thermostats

Cylinder thermostats are energy-saving, safety devices. They control the heating element of your hot water cylinder by measuring the temperature of the water inside and switching the heat supply on and off to ensure water temperature stays within the acceptable range.

If the water temperature falls below the required minimum temperature, the heat supply (boiler or electricity) will start up. The New Zealand Building Code requires the minimum temperature inside a hot water tank to be 65oC. This is hot enough to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like Legionella. Once the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat will turn off the heat supply again.

On the other hand, if the temperature exceeds the maximum setpoint, the cylinder thermostat will switch off the heat supply to avoid unnecessarily overheating your water. This saves a lot of energy and obviously money on your energy bills.

As the water in the tank sits unused, it will start to lose some heat. If the temperature drops below the low limit, the thermostat will kick in to reheat the water and maintain the temperature.

Some hot water tanks will have either a manual or an auto-reset thermostat. So what’s the difference?

Manual-reset thermostat

Standard domestic electric water heaters’ control circuit consists of a manual-reset high limit switch, a lower thermostat, an upper thermostat, two heating elements and wires.

The upper element is energized when power is initially turned on to the unit. This heats the water in the upper third of the hot water tank, where hot water is drawn when you open a tap inside the house. When the desired temperature is reached in the upper third of the tank, power is switched to the lower heating element which continues to heat the water in the lower part of the tank until the lower thermostat setting is reached.

If the temperature inside the tank reaches 85oC (170oC), the high limit switch will be tripped. To ensure the over-temperature and energy cutout is set, you need to press the ‘reset’ button on the thermostat. See samples below:

manual_reset_thermostat_1manual_reset_thermostat_2

Auto-Reset Thermostat

Just as the name suggests, an auto-reset thermostat has the capability to reset itself.

This is often offered as an upgrade feature for solar and hot water heat pump applications. Generally, solar water heaters generate tons of heat and have a tendency to heat water beyond the thermostat settings. This would result in frequent tripping of the high-limit switch, hence the need for an auto-reset thermostat.

Manual-reset thermostats may be used in split solar hot water systems, but it would need replacing every few years.

Some modern hot water cylinders also provide auto-reset thermostats as an option, allowing the water to remain within the ideal temperature range without any intervention.

The ‘reset’ button

The thermostat isn’t the only part of your electric water heater that can trip the reset button. If you are finding yourself having to reset the water heater too often or if you run out of hot water frequently, one of the following might be to blame:

  • Loose wiring. A loose wire in the heating element cause excess heat that will activate the high-limit switch.
  • Faulty high limit switch. If this device starts malfunctioning and consequently overheats the water, the switch will trip.
  • A short in the heating element. The thermostat may still work if there’s a short in the heating element, but the water will continue to be heated beyond the recommended temperature and trip the high-limit switch.
  • The problem may also be the electrical setup in your home.

If you suspect any of these, you should get a professional in to inspect your water heater.

More information about thermostats

If your hot water cylinder doesn’t have a thermostat or has a faulty one, do not attempt to install or replace it yourself. This is a job for a licensed and qualified tradesperson. There are electrical wiring and plumbing regulations and standards that must be followed. Also, it can be dangerous to an untrained person. Be sure to have the minimum limit set to 65oC to disinfect your water supply of harmful bacteria.

Please remember that setting the thermostat to a higher setting does not make the water heat up faster. Your heating system is designed to heat up water at a predefined rate, and raising the setting too high will simply result in wasted energy and even risks of scalding.

Since a temperature of 65oC may be too hot for most people, it is advisable to install a thermostatic mixing valve. This device mixes hot and cold water so you will get the right temperature from your taps and showers.

For more information about hot water cylinder thermostats, call the experts at Hot Water Cylinders NZ on 0800 429 546.