Mains Pressure Hot Water

andy_from_embsay

Want mains pressure hot water in a renovated house with 3 bath/shower rooms. The options appear to be a thermal store (thinking of the Gledhill all-in-one job) or a megaflow tank and separate boiler which means pressurised hot water in a tank.

I'm not sure of the best solution, but our plumber is suggesting the Gledhill route as it's all in one and runs the hot water and the central heating.

Anyone have any experience of either thermal stores or megaflow type systems? Do they run 2 or 3 showers ok or are we better off having one of rthem electric (although I suppose as an electric shower and one of these systems both take water off the mains the pressure'd be the same either way?).

ta

Yogibear

http://www.screwfix.com/talk/index.jspa?forumTab=forums&ts=72207

if you talk to these guys you will get your answer;)

EliteHeat

If you talk to them about this, then you will see an argument starting before your very eyes :j

On a serious note though, thermal stores seem to be prone to breakdowns and scaling problems. A decent unvented cylinder will give very few problems, central heating isn't even an issue but be aware that the installer must hold his or her G3 license.

Canucklehead

Hi

Go with a Megaflo. But you must have a good incoming main water supply.(for either way)minimum 25mm MDPE.

Corgi Guy.

owned_by_2_Siamese

I was unfortunate enough to suffer with a badly installed system - in a new house by a major builder. If its not set up/installed well, especially with a large enough expansion vessle, they are a real pain. In the end after three replacement cylinders (fractured coils) we had a top of the range high output combi that would run two showers simulaneously (at truely mains pressure) If you trust your installer (get a two year warranty- take a tip from me) go with it, otherwise get it on a British Gas full cover service plan as soon as its in - and keep lots of towels handy - when that cylinder ruptures you know about it.....

doublecuffs

We had a Megaflo type system fitted when we had our loft converted.

We have a shower in a bathroom in our loft conversion as well as the original bathroom on the first floor. Obviously the pressure of the shower drops when the loo is flushed, the washing machine is filling or any other tap or appliance is used.

I fitted an expensive thermostatic shower valve for the loft bathroom so that temperature changes would be compensated for quickly, but not for the old bathroom. Fortunately, the temperature doesn't seem to change when the pressure drops so it looks like I wasted my money on that one.

I am very happy with the Megaflo type pressurised hot water cylinder and think that I made a great choice.

faded_glory

We have been using the megaflow system for about 3 years, and no problems so far. Our mains pressure is very good, which I am sure helps. The combined water pressure for our shower stays at a high level and seems to avoid any hot/cold problems. One of the best things is being able to free up our loft space from the cold water and central heating tanks. Recommended.

leetread

If you go down the road of Mains pressure unvented take a look at a company called Keston who can supply a pre piped boiler and cylinder that is simpler to install and a reliable product not the cheapest but a very good product. However if you are looking for a cheaper alternative ariston manufacture a glass lined cylinder as opposed to the stainless steel ones ie Megaflo, OSO and the like, glass lined cylinders are favoured in most of europe over the stainless steel type