Shower Valve and Combi Boiler Questions.....

[newyorker]

Just a bit of background before I begin: I’m currently having an extension built with an additional bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Due to the extra capacity required from the heating system I’m removing the hot water tank and installing a Worcester 42CDI Condensing Combi boiler.

I have a couple of questions (bearing in mind I’m not very knowledgeable about plumbing and heating!!!)

1. I’m looking at showers and am going to go for a head and valve. When looking around (and I know you get what you pay!) I see there is a massive difference in price between shower valves. I have picked a manual one (what’s manual?) with built in divertor at £129 that’s reduced from £199 so figure this is decent quality, would that be correct? Also, what’s the divertor for? I see there are some for as much as £499 or so, why is this?

2. For the above boiler, is it likely that the pressure will be good enough without a shower pump?

3. Is the Worcester 42CDIa good boiler to go for, for a 4 bed detached property with 3 bathrooms, bearing in mind that it’s likely that only 1 bathroom will be in use at any one time.

Any info would be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[manortim]

199 quid for a shower = not very good quality.

 

[newyorker]

199 quid for a shower = not very good quality.

Would you like to elaborate a little please?

 

[ChrisR]

Manual means not thermostatic
The diverter sends the flow to the bath OR the shower
Get a mixer with a known make if you want to be able to get spare parts in years to come
You can't add a pump, but you DO need good mains pressure and flow to keep a big combi supplied
Any combi is unllikely to supply more than one hot tap at a time - depends on your plumbing

Most of this has been discussed many times - search on combi, mains pressure and flow, etc

 

[newyorker]

Manual means not thermostatic
The diverter sends the flow to the bath OR the shower
Get a mixer with a known make if you want to be able to get spare parts in years to come
You can't add a pump, but you DO need good mains pressure and flow to keep a big combi supplied
Any combi is unllikely to supply more than one hot tap at a time - depends on your plumbing

Most of this has been discussed many times - search on combi, mains pressure and flow, etc

Ok, cheers for the info. I'll have a good search on the topics suggested.

 

[manortim]

199 quid for a shower = not very good quality.

Would you like to elaborate a little please?

as chrisR stated, its the availability of spares, i.e new internal parts. plus and quaility of the chrome if it is exposed.

 

[newyorker]

Sorry for my ignorance, but could you give me some good quality brands to go for. I

'm not saying money is no object, but I'd certainly rather pay for a good name to save the problems you say could crop up later.