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Increase size of hot water tank for extension bathroom

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moneyspending
moneyspending Posts: 45 Forumite
Eighth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
I currently have gas boiler which feeds hot water to immersion tank. I never turn on the electric immersion heater. The size of hot water tank is 900 x 450, 117 litres. Currently this feeds one shower on same level as hot water tank (First floor). As the pressure is not enough we have a monsoon pump which pumps hot and cold water to shower. We are happy with pressure and how all this works.

Now we are getting extension done and adding new shower downstairs. Why can't I just increase size of current hot water tank and fit new monsoon pump for downstairs shower as well? Set timer to 5 am, so when going for shower we would have plenty of hot water ready. What are the draw backs of this idea?

Second option is to install second hot water tank for second shower. I would be happy with that as well.

But every other builder or plumber I have asked just suggest megaflow. I doubt that megaflow would give us good water pressure as it only runs on mains pressure unless I am wrong.

Comments

  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,454 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    When we had our extension done we increased the hot water tank to 160 litres & added a second cold water tank in the loft.

    On the other hand, just because you've got another shower does it mean you'll shower more often? We have three showers but they don't all get used at once, if they did we'd need an even bigger tank!
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • Mr.Generous
    Mr.Generous Posts: 3,967 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    the pressure is provided by the height of the header tank not the height of the cylinder. Does your extension mean you are going to use more hot water or the same qty but through a different outlet? Showers use a lot less water than baths you may not need a bigger cylinder and if the extension shower is ground floor pressure will be much higher. You may be surprised how much difference a full bore shower hose and decent shower head can make too. If you want a power shower you will probably end up fitting some kind of mains powered pump with a flow switch - the brand is just a name.
    Mr Generous - Landlord for more than 10 years. Generous? - Possibly but sarcastic more likely.
  • MX5huggy
    MX5huggy Posts: 7,162 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The effectiveness of a Megaflow (other brands are available) as you say depends on your mains water pressure. But if your pressure is normal then it's a good solution. Particularly if you were looking for a completely new system.

    There maybe no reason to have a bigger tank (or 2, I wouldn't have 2) is the addition of the extra shower going to mean more showers being taken? Do you ever run out of hot water now. What boiler do you have how fast can it replenish the hot water in the cylinder? What size (power) is your current shower pump? Possibly just a bigger pump is all you need to run both showers simultaneously. But you could see how they run on your current pump it maybe acceptable for the few occasions when both showers run simultaneously.
  • moneyspending
    moneyspending Posts: 45 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 17 April 2016 at 9:36PM
    Thanks all for feedback. Currently after 2 showers the water is cold. We have to wait at least 20 mins before 3rd shower. When new shower is fitted we will have simultaneous use and total 4 people. Hence we do need more hot water.

    The extension will add 4 new radiators as well. Current boiler is 24 KW. (Greenstar 24i System)
  • casper_g
    casper_g Posts: 1,110 Forumite
    A friend's house has two hot water tanks, so it's not unheard of, but then his house used to be a B&B and has seven showers!
  • Ruski
    Ruski Posts: 1,628 Forumite
    You've answered your own question there - the current setup is not enough to supply 4 showers in the morning - therefore a bigger or second cylinder is required.
    Putting 2 pumps may draw the water too quickly though from a single cylinder though - can you not feed the new shower from the same pumped pipework?

    ETH

    Russ
    Perfection takes time: don't expect miracles in a day :D
  • Ruski wrote: »
    You've answered your own question there - the current setup is not enough to supply 4 showers in the morning - therefore a bigger or second cylinder is required.
    Putting 2 pumps may draw the water too quickly though from a single cylinder though - can you not feed the new shower from the same pumped pipework?

    ETH

    Russ

    I think if we want to run two showers simultaneously from same pump, we will need bigger pump.

    I know that bigger tank is required but what I don't understand is why are plumbers not in favour of bigger tank? What could be the drawbacks? Why they all recommend megaflow?
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