(OR DOESN'T) Econony 7 heating element!!!!!!!

[Gavmacp]

We have economy 7.
Now for the umpteenth time the lower heating element (night time) has stopped working.
So scenario we wait for a few weeks until our electrician comes out and replaces the bloody thing!!
Is there any way I can prolong the life of the heating element i.e. by draining tank and trying to descale the bottom?
Is it usual for a heating element to only last a few months?
Any suggestions???

[cathfromsaron]

s he tried just be replacing the thermostat!

do you dry washing on or near it btw? they really don't tolerate that!

cath x

[Gavmacp]

Boiler tank upstairs in cupboard. We did have a lovely collection of toilet rolls beside element but electrician said to remove these to keep it overheating but that has obviously not worked.

[shooty]

The element should last a great deal longer than a few months.
some of these newer elements incorperate a thermostat that is re-settable (not very good in my opinion, but safer). have a look to see if there is a little reset button on the stat

[deggers316]

the resettable thermostat (if you mean a cut out) was made mandatory after an appalling accident years ago in which a little girl was killed

[Gavmacp]

Dear Shooty,
So took round metal cover and yes there is a reset button. I think I pushed it in, well it did seem to do something. Will find out tonight if this works. If so IOU a pint, in fact a few!!!!!
Much Love,
Gavin

[shooty]

(not very good in my opinion, but safer)

I did state they are safer. In my opinion as an Electrician, they are very unreliable.

Yes. the correct name for it is a 'Thermal cut-out'.

I was putting it in Laymans terms

[Gavmacp]

Previous one lasted over 11 years. We have replaced at least 5 in the last year to year and a half.

[shooty]

No worries Gavin. If the problem persists (which i think it will, as they are very temperamental). You can still buy the Non cut-out Stats from plumbing merchants. If you fancy the quite easy task and are prepared to live without the extra safety feature. try swapping it. : )

[shooty]

Ps. the Stat just pulls out of the element. Very easy sawp. : )

[shooty]

Or swap

[deggers316]

shooty is was this accident
http://www.dailymail....known-unreliable.html

[shooty]

That is a Tragedy. : (
But i'm not aware that a mandatory order was placed on the Non cut-out type.
(Do not know the answer to that as they are still on sale in most outlets)

companies that work on behalf of Housing assosiations use them for 2 reasons.
1. Stipulated by the Housing assosiation. due to managers responsibility's
2. work creation. (these things fail so often, it drums up more work to rectify the problem. win, win for the contractor (thief)
I don't know of any of my mates in the industry who use them, as this would give them a bad reputation and they would have to go back and replace for free.