Hot water pressure - what are my options?

[eastblock]

Dear All,

Since our hot water tank is placed only 1.5meter above ground level it is not possible for us to take a shower unless we sit down in the bathtub. Even then it is very difficult to get the tempature just right because of the difference in hot and cold water pressure. We had a plumber out to look into whether it was possible to fit a pump to boost the pressure. He said it would not be possible but did not elaborate and we never received the promised quote for a working solution. Another plumber never turned up for the appointment and the third plumber never called back to arrange a viewing of our installation. So it looks like getting a shower is but a dream.

We did consider putting in an electric shower but that would require a major rewire so it not really an option.

What are the options to enable us to take a shower? Our hot water tank is the type with a cold water tank on top. We are in an apartment so can't move the tank higher up.

Would a combi boiler be a good solution? I don't know the age of our current boiler but I suspect a new boiler may be more efficient.

Last but not least: How to find a reliable installer that will keep his promises? We live in Harpenden, near Luton

Best regards,

Michael

 

[ChrisR]

A combi is a popular solution, not least because it means you gain the space where the tank is.
Conversion flats often suffer from poor pressure though. You can try measuring the flow from your kitchen cold tap at peak showering time when the load is greatest. If it's 20 litres a minute or so you shouldn't have a problem with a combi, but there are ifs and buts. If it's less, it might be the tap restricting it, still be ok. You need it investigating by a half-decent plumber.

There are other solutions which might be possible, depending on your installations.

How to find a reliable installer that will keep his promises?

Err, ummm.
Find one who doesn't make any?

 

[eastblock]

We seem to have quite a high cold water pressure but I will check the flow rate all the same. I know the people upstairs have a combination boiler installed. I don't expect a "pressure wash" but it would be nice to take a shower standing up and be able to use a thermostat mixing faucet.

Freeing up the space taken by the tank would be an added bonus.

I'll look up the "We make no promises" plumbers in the Yellow Pages

Michael

 

[Agile]

Replacing with a combi would be about £2000 +.

There is a cheaper option if your mains flow rate is adequate ( 20 li/min ) and that is to have an unvented cylinder fitted which would give you a HW flow rate of whatever your mains can provide compared with just 9-14 li/min from a combi.

Cheaper still is to have a shower pump, £200-£500 perhaps. However thats not a very pleasant job and I can understand why many plumbers will not get very excited. Also if you have a combo tank the cold water storage would be depleted very quickly unless you severely restricted the flow rate.

Tony

 

[eastblock]

Thanks Tony. I'm not too keen on the shower pump idea either. Can an unvented tank be used with any boiler or are there some limitations? My budget does not quite stretch to £2000 so a combi boiler does not sound like an option unless it will result in a decent saving in consumption. Anyway, it would be nice to have a dual coil tank so I can add solar heating at a later stage.

Michael