Alliance Central Heating: Immersion Elements
Immersion Elements
Immersion heaters are inside of a hot water cylinder so that the water can either be heated by the boiler (through the heat exchanger) or by the immersion heater.
As immersion heaters become covered with scale, this build up will result in the heater taking longer to heat the water each time. Immersion heaters can easily burn out or sometimes they become less efficient. When a heating element burns out, it often stops working 
immediately.
If you believe your immersion heater has stopped working, use a non contact electrical tester and hold it close to the wire as it enters the heater boss. If this shows that there is current there, then the immersion heater will need replacing. In some cases the fuse protecting the circuit might have blown. Switch off the boiler that heats the cylinder and stop the water supply to the cylinder by either closing the gate valve on the feed pipe or by draining the cold water cistern. Turn off the main stopcock entering the property if you need to drain the cold water cistern off, or tie up the ball float using a piece of string and a length of wood to prevent the tank from re-filling.
Locate the drain cock which should be at the base of the feed pipe from the cistern. Alternatively you may need to use the boiler drain cock. Get a suitable hose pipe and attach it onto the end of the fitting and then undo the square by turning it anti-clockwise with either a drain cock key or pliers.
To drain out most of the water, simply open the hot taps in the bathroom and kitchen.
The insulated type of cylinder also has two Immersion heaters. You will need an Immersion box wrench to remove an Immersion heater from a cylinder.
There are normally only three wires that need to be disconnected but take note of where they go before removing them. Make sure the cable is also heat resistant flex! Spray (and leave it for as long as possible) penetrating oil between the immersion heater nut and the cylinder.
Position the immersion heater spanner onto the nut and turn it anti-clockwise. 
For refitting the new immersion heater, merely start by wrapping PTFE thread sealing tape anti-clockwise around the thread of the tail of the new immersion heater. If there is one sealing ring, ensure that is in place. Slot in the immersion heater into the cylinder ensuring that if it is an indirect cylinder that the new immersion heater does not foul the heat exchanger.
Make sure that the immersion heater is fully tightened and then also ensure the drain cock has been closed and the taps that you opened earlier. Now you are ready to restore the water and check for leaks. In case the immersion heater leaks, just tighten it further with the spanner.
You might now reconnect the wires that you removed earlier. Set the thermostat by turning it with a small screwdriver. Do this to the same figure as the old one that you removed. Make certain you fit the cover back onto the immersion heater before restoring the electrical power.
However, if you do not feel inclined to attempt the above why not call us and we will send a qualified engineer to do all this for you.
Alliance Plumbing and Heating
Immersion Elements
Local immersion heating element specialists
We cover London and the Home Counties extensively. This enables us to arrange a visit for you for either today, tomorrow or any time that is convenient.
Free quotes for replacing immersion elements
An experienced engineer will visit at a time that suits you. He will provide you with all the help and advice you might need, discussing your options, ensuring you make the right decisions.
Customer service
All our staff from specialist immersion element engineers to the call centre staff are all regularly appraised based on their performance as determined by you. This helps us to continuously improve the service we provide. If you have not been asked for your feedback, but would like to make a comment please e-mail or give us a ring. We would welcome and appreciate your contribution.
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