6 en-suites with electric showers - How to keep it safe !?!?

[WhoSaidThis]

Mate is going to get rid of gas and set up a 6 Bed HMO with all en-suites and wants to makes sure he asks the electrician (& other trades?) the right type of questions / instructions so everyone is safe and it all works. There are two issues as far as I can see:

1. High amount of electric load if everyone decides to take a shower at the same time.,that'll be 6 electric 7.5kw showers on. What should be asking the electrician to get around/fix this issue?
2. Water pressure - what can be put in to make sure there is enough for everyone (again on the assumption if 6 showers are on at the same time).

Many thanks for all your help

 

[cjard]

A 7.5kw shower isn't going to put out much warm water so the pressure issue might not be as bad as you fear. Possibly the wrong forum to be asking about it though

 

[EFLImpudence]

Keep gas.

 

[seasickstevie]

Why 7.5kW?
Don't think I've put in anything less than 8.5kW for at least 15 years. I'm surprised they still make them - most people want >9kW

Regarding the pressure, he could always run them through a pump from a storage tank, or more conveniently independantly pumped shower units.

 

[endecotp]

That's about 200 A, isn't it?

Another similar thread:
//www.diynot.com/diy/threads/qty-of-showers-cookers-and-hobs-in-a-6-bed-hmo.455965/

 

[bernardgreen]

What should be asking the electrician to get around/fix this issue?

He will need to talk to the DNO ( Distribution Network Operator. the people who bring the electricity to the property ) about up-grading the supply, possibly to a three phase supply.

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Our-company/Electricity/Distribution-Network-Operator-Companies/

 

[Taylortwocities]

Keep gas.

Whssign

• Taylortwocities
• 16 Jul 2016

What he said

Your normal supply to the house will be 100A at the most. It could be as low as 60A.
The main supply fuse will pop If a couple of showers are in use plus a couple of other items (don't forget you'll also be powering heating/cooking etc too).
When you pop the main fuse, the lekky company has to come out to replace it. That takes time.
They'll come out once. When it happens again they will ask some serious questions and charge you serious money.

Keep the gas.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Further…if he really must do it all with electricity he could put a small Megaflo in each suite with a single immersion heater. That would limit the water heating demand to 6 X 13A. But even that is a lot for a single phase supply once you add 6 lots of cooking, lighting, heating, etc etc.

 

[Lectrician]

One large megaflow cylinder, two immersions, possibly an electric flow boiler. Thermostatic HC fed showers.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Megaflo

Sorry, its the OCD kicking in…

 

[OwainDIYer]

If mate is letting the rooms with hot water included then gas will be about a third of the price of peak rate electric.

7.5kW showers are rather weedy and scream 'budget'. That may reflect the rest of the property and the target market, but in London there would probably be a demand for good quality rooms and would attract a higher rent, and probably lower maintenance costs than a more downmarket property.

 

[JohnW2]

Why 7.5kW? Don't think I've put in anything less than 8.5kW for at least 15 years. I'm surprised they still make them - most people want >9kW

True. If this is a 'budget' exercise, then, as well as the cost of the shower, I suppose that 7.5 kW ones allow 32A circuits to be used, potentially with just 4mm² cable. It's also possible, as has been suggested, that the landlord might be paying for the electricity!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Lectrician]

Megaflo

Sorry, its the OCD kicking in…

Should say Megaflo type really. It's actually rare to see a true Megaflo these days!

 

[AndyPRK]

I guess the reason for getting rid of gas it because he wants the tenants to pay electric only and make it easy.

I don't think they will install 4mm because

1) No one would ever fit a shower with 4mm
2) It would be silly not to future proof it.

 

[Lectrician]

Landlords usually ditch gas as it requires yearly testing, and insurance can be higher. Most landlords prefer electric everything.