Advice on switching to mains pressure hot water

W

welsford46

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Current set up:

Vaillant GFCH boiler ecotec plus (about 2 years old) a copper cylinder in the airing cupboard and two tanks in the loft.

In the next year or two when I have an ensuite built I'd like to switch to mains pressure hot water and ideally lose the tanks in the loft.

I've trawled the forums for hours and read so many threads on heat stores, megaflows etc.

Ideally I'd prefer not to change the boiler but would like the possibility to be flexble about future connections to solar panels or the log burner.

What do the experts think is the best solution to go for...thinking efficiency, reliability and maintenance.

Thank you

Mr W
 
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Unvented hot water cylinder is probably the route you'll be looking at, but you need to make sure your water flow and pressure is adequate before going down that route. There are solar UV cylinders available, although I'd question the motive for looking at solar unless you're getting a grant to install it, because it will take a looooooooooooooong time to pay for itself, if it ever does.

You won't be able to lose the tank in the loft and use a woodburner, as these need to be on traditional open-vented systems. It's also a bit of a minefield connecting them to an unvented cylinder in a safe manner, requiring expert knowledge and some expensive extra components.

UV cylinders need to be serviced annually but it's not a huge task and shouldn't cost you much, especially if you get it done at the same time as your boiler.
 
welsford46 said:
..What do the experts think is the best solution to go for...thinking efficiency, reliability and maintenance.
Click to expand...
To answer that with any kind of accuracy, you will have to list your priorities e.g. cost, reliability, space, and also what you don't find important.
You also need to find out what your static pressure is, and your maximum flow at the mains currently.
 
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RigidRaider said:
Keep the system simple, vented...
Click to expand...

Oh, yes, let's stick to what we used to do 100 years ago, and who cares about a bacteria count that goes of the scale in the summer months. :rolleyes:

Add to that a nice diy project, and you never have to worry about being bored again.
 
The Legionella myth is what professionals use to try to frighten amateurs into spending £5000 or more on a system they can install themselves for £500.
 
RigidRaider said:
The Legionella myth is what professionals use to try to frighten us...
Click to expand...

Anyone with half a brain can Google the official figures, and realise that the amount of casualties from legionella is more than smoke and gas explosion victims combined.

Apart from that, it is just disgusting.

Apart from that, it is actually cheaper to go mains than it is to keep a vented cylinder.
Your expertise on health is about as impressive as your knowledge of heating. :rolleyes:
 
Thank you for the comments.

I guess my priority is for mains hot rather than looking at integrating solar or log burner

What unvented systems are favoured for reliability and low maintenance?
 
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Leave it until something breaks.
Fit an electric power shower for the en-suite.
Fit a main pressure tank when the existing tanks give up the ghost.
Forget any idea of solar hot water and wood burner,
Completely waste of time and effort will never pay for themselves.
I have better things to do with my time than mess about cutting wood
and cleaning out wood stoves.
 
Nothing wrong with a vented hw system nicely installed and maintained.
Will give many years of trouble free service.

When bangasmans going down on one of his lady friends he's hardly too concerned about what disgusting nasties he might pick up. :LOL: :LOL: :mrgreen:
 
Go unvented route. Boiler can be used to power the cylinder. I do not think you can use logburner with Mega flow (but I could be wrong).
 
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