Shower isn't very hot

studentguy

Hi Folks,

I'm in a new flat and the shower isn't very warm. In order to get a decent temperature out of it, you have to turn the on/off nob very close to the off side of things (this is with the tempature nob twisted all the way to full) even then this isn't boiling. Oddly enough, when using the hot water taps, the water is very very hot, in fact I've scolded myself on it, however I suppose the water pressure is coming out slower. Can the boiler just not keep up with the shower? Anyone got any thing I can try, or should I just ask the landlord to look at it?

Thanks

rogerblack

studentguy wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I'm in a new flat and the shower isn't very warm. In order to get a decent temperature out of it, you have to turn the on/off nob very close to the off side of things

This is possibly due to 'anti-scald' measures in the shower.
Alternatively, it may be due to low thermal output of the shower, depending on the design.
Does the shower have any model number on it?
Is it powered from the gas boiler - does that go on - or is it an electric shower?

studentguy

Sorry should have said, it's fed from the boiler (you can hear the boiler kick in when it goes on)

As far as anti-scalding measures, when properly turned on, the shower is just a bit hotter than cold water

penrhyn

Does it look like this,







or this?

macman

It's a combi-fed shower (not an electric shower).
What's happening at present is that the cold water coming from the rising main is colder than usual due to the freezing weather. The boiler has to heat the water more than the normal amount due to the greater temperature differential. Something has to give, either the flow rate or the temp. You should be able to adjust the DHW output temp on the boiler up, but this will reduce the flow rate (and make the hot taps even hotter). The reason they are hotter is due to a lower flow rate requirement, and probably being nearer to the combi.
I suspect that as the ambient air temperature rises markedly on Saturday as forecast, you will find that the problem diminishes.
No real cure other than a more powerful combi.

diywhynot

studentguy wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I'm in a new flat and the shower isn't very warm. In order to get a decent temperature out of it, you have to turn the on/off nob very close to the off side of things (this is with the tempature nob twisted all the way to full) even then this isn't boiling. Oddly enough, when using the hot water taps, the water is very very hot, in fact I've scolded myself on it, however I suppose the water pressure is coming out slower. Can the boiler just not keep up with the shower? Anyone got any thing I can try, or should I just ask the landlord to look at it?

Thanks

Make and model of boiler and shower?

studentguy

Thanks for the replies. I moved in the 11th, the day before the cold spell started I suppose!

For those who asked boiler is: Glowworm Betacom 24C the hot water and the heating knobs are on max.

The shower doesn't have a make on it, it looks a bit like this (but not exactly like this):

http://www.bestbathrooms.com/images/products/55530_image.jpg

Top knob on mine is for 'On and Off' and bottom is 'Hot and Cold' I have to turn the nob as close to Off as possible to get a semi decent temperature out of it.

rogerblack

Fill a (say) 5l bucket with the shower.
Now do it with the tap, to the same temperature.
If they both take the same amount of time - there is no issue with the shower - it's the boiler not coping with the cold weather.
A low-flow showerhead may help.

studentguy

Today was so much worse, I'd get it to an okay temperature, but it would keep going cold after a few minutes, and when I mean cold, I mean practically freezing in this weather Which wasn't much fun battling with the shower this morning, made me late for work

diywhynot

Oddly enough, when using the hot water taps, the water is very very hot, in fact I've scolded myself on it

.

Time to call the LL. Probably shower is the culprit.

macman

If the boiler is cutting out causing the shower to go cold, I'd suspect the diverter valve or the PCB.
If the shower temp is dropping but the boiler keeps running, then I'd suspect the 'stat in the shower unit.
Either way, it's to be resolved by your LL.