How do the hot water heaters work?

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:39 am

The place we are staying at has the heating system that heats up the water. The system is located in the kitchen cupboards. From what I remember of our last visit it had two control knobs on it. We are able to heat the water for both hot water use in the taps and also for the radiators in the other rooms. The question is how do we use it to the full efficiency. The owner gave us the manual, but like everything else now a days it was not too clear. We tried different settings but still was not too confident that we were using it properly. Any information or referral willl help. As the nights can get cold and with our Canadian custom of enjoying central heating, it will be a challenge again to survive the nights with the cheapest heating costs.

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:59 pm

I am surpised that of the 235 hits (to date) on this subject no one has replied. It would appear no one goes to the Algarve in winter, does not have a heater such as I described or in fact has the same problem I do. There must be a reader out there that knows a little more than I do about the operation of this type of heater.

I am getting desperate as the Euro is rising against the Canadian dollar and I would like to save wherever possible. It also can be cold in Carvoeiro at this time of the year and damp especially with all the rain and cloudy days.

bigjomc · Post by **bigjomc** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:22 pm

hi , it sounds from your description of your system that you have a combi boiler for both hot water and central heating , there are some of these in the algarve but not many , are there any thermostat knobs on the boiler that you could turn up , or is there a sign like a small radiator , maybee its on summer setting , ie hot water only , you would need to switch back to hot water and central heating , the way to see if its a combi boiler is to turn on a hot tap if the boiler fires up it is a combi , thats all i can suggest just at the moment without looking at it , im on holiday in scotland at the moment but will be back in cvo thu 17th , give me a ring if its still bust and i will have a look for you as im a gas engineer , call joe on 960311718.

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:55 am

Thanks for the reply bigjomc. Yes it heats the hot water for the taps in the kitchen and bathroom. Also it heats the central heating radiators which have their own shut off valves. The unit has two thermostat knobs on the bottom front. I cannot remember what pictures they had beside them. I will be there on Jan 22nd and if I am still unable to figure it out, I will call you. Thanks.