Gas Shower

Cordie

Thank you all but especially WIAWSNB for all the advice and information I've received on this thread. A week ago I had never heard of gas powered showers so I am considerably greater informed now than I was a few days ago.

WIAWSNB

You mentioned at the beginning that your 'builder' was recommending going 'gas' shower. Is he a plumber as well? Or does he employ one for that side of the work?

Do you know them well? Have confidence in them?

I totally agree that gas beats leccy in the shower, but you need a proper plumber/GasSafe to confirm your current setup is adequate. By that I mean that your old Vaillant will work fine to supply the new shower until you decide on its replacement, and your current mains water supply is decent (which it appears to be).

FreeBear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135104#Comment_82135104

Do give fitting a heat pump serious consideration - Properly specified and installed, running costs should be lower than a gas boiler and you can also get rid of the gas meter (an instant £100 per year saving).

But if you are wedded to gas boilers, I'd suggest a Worcester Bosch or Viessmann - Pick one with a 10:1 modulation range and a minimum output (to heating) of ~3.2kW. Replace your radiators with larger, higher output along with a smart thermostat that can talk to the boiler. Turn down the flow temperature to 50-60°C, and you should boost efficiency to 90% or more.

I had a Viessmann 050 installed a couple of years back (just before the HP grant rules were relaxed) along with larger radiators. Regularly run the heating at 45-50°C and getting 94% efficiency out of it - Paying about £30 per month over winter to heat an old 3 bed semi.