Combination Boiler problem

[tclapham]

We have a BAXI Combi 80ECo boiler on the ground floor of our house, powering the central heating, the kitchen one w.c and 2 bathrooms.

The power of the hot water in the loft (2nd floor) is not satisfactory to have a decent shower. Can a pump be fitted to such a system, or are we better to get rid of the boiler and put something else in?

If so what?

We had the mains pressure tested recently (on the outside tap?) and its 1.9 bar.

Any help would be much apprecated

Cheers

 

[ChrisR]

Big tank of water in the loft, hot water tank (could also go up there but easier on 1st floor), take pipes from boiler to HW tank to heat it, pump from the tanks for shower. Can keep the combi for hw on ground floor.
There are complications, and it'll involve quite a bit of plumbing through the house. Couple of £grand. Still keen?

 

[tclapham]

not really...was wondering about changing the boiler (maybe a storage combi?) or just somethign with a higher flow rate?

 

[ChrisR]

The low mains presure is the problem, and you can't pump the mains. If the 1.9bar was measured at zero flow, it'll be a lot less when the water's running .The 2nd floor is about 6metres (0.6 bar) up so the pressure up there will be beggar all.
Any combi can only heat what the mains will put through it.
At peak times (ie when you and the world wants a shower) the pressure will be significantly lower.
All you can do is make the pipes as big as possible - including the pipe from the road.

Presumably your neighbours have the same problem?

 

[Baxi-Remeha]

go for my favorite, the good old POWERMAX, upto 34 l/min flow rate........

 

[doitall]

go for my favorite, the good old POWERMAX, upto 34 l/min flow rate........

Bet you'd fit it as well

where's the 34ltrs coming from jason

 

[tclapham]

will the 34Litre boiler help or not (with 1.9 bar)?

 

[doitall]

will the 34Litre boiler help or not (with 1.9 bar)?

Chuck a 10ltr bucket under the tap and time how long it takes to fill.

 

[Baxi-Remeha]

sorry, upto 48ltr/min, with between 1 and 2.5 bar......

http://www.potterton.co.uk/products/gas/highEfficiency/techInfo/powermaxHE.html

 

[doitall]

sorry, upto 48ltr/min, with between 1 and 2.5 bar......

Yes Jason but if you only have say 20 ltrs/m going in

 

[ChrisR]

Chuck a 10ltr bucket under the tap and time how long it takes to fill.

I should have said that - but it was time to eat.