Supply+install Water Pump to increase bathroom Water Pressure

Dandytf

ThisIsWeird said:

Dandy, are you saying it's a 'combi' boiler, one that fires up every time you turn on a hot tap, and supplies instantly-heated water? IE you do not have a 'hot cylinder' anywhere?

If so, then yes, in theory, all you need is a mains booster pump fitted to the water mains pipe after it comes into your flat. A common model is by Salamander and costs around £300. It should provide 12lpm water flow, which is the most you are allowed to draw from the mains.

But... if you have a single shared mains pipe coming into and up through the block, with 'tees' coming off for each flat, I can foresee problems where you could very possibly deprive other flats of flow. There's even a potential risk of drawing in air from an opened tap in a lower floor. So, a plumber would have to check the mains supply layout first to check this solution is suitable.

Stop press: I notice you suggest that it's only the hot bath tap that's at fault? And that it used to be ok a few years back? Ok, a few checks, please:

1) IS it a combi boiler?
2) what is the cold mains flow rate from your cold kitchen tap? (Pan under tap, turn on full for 10 seconds, measure no of litres, and 'times' it by 6 to get 'litres per minute'.
3) repeat this test for the HOT kitchen tap.
4) repeat again for the hot basin tap.
5) once more for the hot bath tap.

Please report back.

Thanks the time has arrived to update ahead of tomorrow's Boiler upgrade inc' removing the attached Water Tank.
Mser's is it neccessary to switch off hot water tonight to allow Boiler to cool, I didn't ask.

Old school Cylinder Boiler is being replaced with Electric Combi Boiler, more info tomorrow.
2.4k total Cost inc' vat/labour etc. 

Thanks!

ThisIsWeird

I wouldn't heat the cylinder tonight - it's going to be drained away first thing.
You don't have a gas supply to your flat?

Dandytf

ThisIsWeird said:

I wouldn't heat the cylinder tonight - it's going to be drained away first thing.
You don't have a gas supply to your flat?

I didn't and was sensible to Switch off recently Fitted Kitchen new Immersion Switch off.
Electric Only.
Boiler Electrician Cut off new Immersion Timer yesterday and replaced Cylinder Old School Boiler socket with 12v Fused Spur.
Boiler being upgraded today, What's the best way to make use of 'On Demand' Hot Water when my Water has always been heated up overnight almost in line with Eco 7 Times/Low Rate.
If new Combi Boiler is 'On Demand' when required does that need some Day/High Rate Heating.

thanks

ThisIsWeird

Instant hot water from an electric combi will be the most costly form of fuel. 
Having said that, provided you don't have baths, the amount of heated water required shouldn't be much greater than many homes even with gas; many folk have only an electric instant shower, for example, and all washing machines (and dish washers?) are cold-feed only.
You'll consume more leccy during your daily ablutions, and, well, that's about it! 
If you do enjoy a bath, then have it during the night on eco7!
Your biggest cost by far will be heating your flat, and there's no way around that. Just do what other folk do, and turn off any rad in a room that isn't being used, open the windows in there to 'vent', and close the door. Check on it every few weeks - it should be ccccold but bone dry.
Then decide on whether you need your leccy CentralH on at all, or would an oil-filled rad in the living room do the job - that should be slightly more effective and efficient. If that works, then a second o-f with a timer in your bedroom should ensure it's welcoming last thing at night, and first thing in the morning, and not heated at any other time.
Tbh, if your flat is well insulated, then this shouldn't be too bad; although leccy is the most costly, you will be saving on the gas standing charge that most folk pay.
Check out all the energy providers, and ask them what their best tariff is for someone in your position - no stored heating, just instant. 

Dandytf

@ThisIsWeird

2nd Failed Boiler visit t.b.f at least the Electric part person did arrive early yesterday.
I'm not quite understanding 'On Demand' Combi Hot Water.
If I 'Need' hot water with Combi, does I heat water when I request, or is it 'Always' Heating some water.
I could set it to have some 5-6 am Hot Water and then some afternoon 3pm-6pm to cover dishes.
I'll believe Bath when I see both taps working as Pressure has been gone from Hot Bath Tap in recent years.
Heating is off topic I've DQ Quantum Living Room and Altas bedroom+kitchen.
That's one brick strg heats up overnight low rate and I set Dimplex Altas for 1-2 hrs their small Panels heaters.
Guess I'll try above Hot Water times and hopefully standard or 'flow' temp is pre set 50c approx.

Thanks appreciated, I've started SP Latest 2026 Tariff as never seen decent cost Difference in recent years comparisons.

thanks appreciated

Dandytf

Combi Delayed until later this week.
Cylinder still switched off. i.e. No hot water.
Used 11.68kwh Electric Low Rate upto 06:34 £2.05.
I'll refer to this Example once Combi is installed and heating water following morning.
Apart from outdoor temps dropping what's the cost difference to be.
DQ is 20c Alta's 21/20c -they don't use boiler though they do use Electric.

ThisIsWeird

Dandytf said:

@ThisIsWeird
2nd Failed Boiler visit t.b.f at least the Electric part person did arrive early yesterday.
I'm not quite understanding 'On Demand' Combi Hot Water.
If I 'Need' hot water with Combi, does I heat water when I request, or is it 'Always' Heating some water.
I could set it to have some 5-6 am Hot Water and then some afternoon 3pm-6pm to cover dishes.
I'll believe Bath when I see both taps working as Pressure has been gone from Hot Bath Tap in recent years.
Heating is off topic I've DQ Quantum Living Room and Altas bedroom+kitchen.
That's one brick strg heats up overnight low rate and I set Dimplex Altas for 1-2 hrs their small Panels heaters.
Guess I'll try above Hot Water times and hopefully standard or 'flow' temp is pre set 50c approx.
Thanks appreciated, I've started SP Latest 2026 Tariff as never seen decent cost Difference in recent years comparisons.

I'm not sure about electric combis either. Yes, the principle is that they only fire up when a hot tap is opened, just like gas boilers. However, gas boilers also have the switchable option of a 'pre-heat', where the boiler will regularly fire up for a few seconds in order to keep its water contents hot, and therefore able to be delivered more quickly. This means a bit more gas usage - not too big a biggie with 'cheap' gas - and also more wear on the mechanicals - more of an issue. Consensus on MSE is to turn it off on gas boilers.
Your leccy combi may have the same option, but I'll need the exact make and model to check - what is it? I guess it would come down to the size of the cylinder inside it.
What power - kW - rating is the combi? I suspect you'll find that running a bath is now part of the past, as even a ~12kW jobbie will only supply (checks calculator on google) around 5lpm of 'hot' water, say at 50o+, per minute. Almost certainly less in winter depths.
Where is your brick storage heater located? I'd suggest rely on that as your primary heating source, and use the instant panel rads only when required.
Any room not in use, turn all heating off, crack open windows to 'vent', and close the door...

ThisIsWeird

Dandytf said:

Combi Delayed until later this week.
Cylinder still switched off. i.e. No hot water.
Used 11.68kwh Electric Low Rate upto 06:34 £2.05.
I'll refer to this Example once Combi is installed and heating water following morning.
Apart from outdoor temps dropping what's the cost difference to be.
DQ is 20c Alta's 21/20c -they don't use boiler though they do use Electric.

The heater models you are referring to - I can't quite grab the makes? - if they rely on instant, full-rate, electricity, then they will all theoretically cost the exact same to run. Ie, leccy is nigh on 100% efficient at being converted to heat, so kW in = kW out.
I'd be looking at 'heat the body's solutions, such as electric throws (folk love them on here), leccy seat covers, and good ol' sexy thermals :-)
Keep the actual room heating at 'background', whatever you feel comfy with - 16oC or whatevs.
But obviously your call, and your money, and your bod. :-)

Dandytf

ThisIsWeird said:

Dandytf said:

Combi Delayed until later this week.
Cylinder still switched off. i.e. No hot water.
Used 11.68kwh Electric Low Rate upto 06:34 £2.05.
I'll refer to this Example once Combi is installed and heating water following morning.
Apart from outdoor temps dropping what's the cost difference to be.
DQ is 20c Alta's 21/20c -they don't use boiler though they do use Electric.

The heater models you are referring to - I can't quite grab the makes? - if they rely on instant, full-rate, electricity, then they will all theoretically cost the exact same to run. Ie, leccy is nigh on 100% efficient at being converted to heat, so kW in = kW out.
I'd be looking at 'heat the body's solutions, such as electric throws (folk love them on here), leccy seat covers, and good ol' sexy thermals :-)
Keep the actual room heating at 'background', whatever you feel comfy with - 16oC or whatevs.
But obviously your call, and your money, and your bod. :-)

Think Dimplex , DQ Dimplex Quantum Livingroom modern brick type- Low Rate storage.
Alta Dimplex One in Bedroom One in Kitchen -Electric Panel heaters, I can use anytime these don't store so can be Low or High rate times/Costs.
3 Dimplex in total 1 brick 2 Panel, each programmable via Mob App upto 30c 7 days/24hrs Times.
I set dq. 20-23 and to release Heat through most of day.
This has Installation fault lcd error from 25c though need to order small pack  Bricks to replace1-2 found slight crack
Top 2 layers need facing one direction unlike other lower layers hence DQ Engineer advised over heating from 25c
Heat not escaping with wrong direction bricks. 
Alta's 1-2 hrs each most night/morning times. 20/21c.

thanks

Dandytf

Enjoy mser's