Megaflo Eco vs Eco Plus

[Jaggers123]

Hi all,

We moved into our current home 18-months ago and the following heating/ HW system was already in place: Worcester Bosch 24i system boiler with loft water tank and ancient cylinder (c.100 litre capacity). This looks after 17 rads and two bathrooms. In order to improve water pressure in the showers, we installed a 4 Bar Stuart Turner Monsoon Pump. Very effective but creates a lot of noise and it comes on even when we flush the toilets (Positive Head Twin Booster Pump). I also had a Kinetico 2050c water softener installed as we are in a hard water area.

Unfortunately, the pump is driving my wife nuts and I have decided to get an unvented cylinder installed as a replacement. We are planning to add a further four bathrooms when we extend in the future and we may then supplement the cylinder with a pumped accumulator and replace the boiler with a more powerful model.

Our plumber has suggested the Megaflo Eco 300I Indirect, this should provide sufficient extra capacity for our future requirements. I'm fine with Megaflo as a brand and aware that there are many alternatives available at more competitive prices. If we focus on Megaflo, can you please advise whether I should go with the Eco or Eco Plus variant? I like the sound of the Eco Plus as it is capable of providing better flow but my plumber thinks the Eco is all we will need.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SimonG]

Stick some pics of the pump and pipework. If it's noisy and coming on when the toilets flushed then it sounds like a poor install.

On the unvented I wouldn't go with a megaflo.

 

[Jaggers123]

Stick some pics of the pump and pipework. If it's noisy and coming on when the toilets flushed then it sounds like a poor install.

On the unvented I wouldn't go with a megaflo.

Hi Simon, will try and get some pictures tonight but the pump is boxed up to provide some acoustic insulation so it might be difficult to make everything out. Megaflo appears to divide opinion; why are you against it and which alternative would you suggest?

 

[Stigster]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a Megaflow and they are of good quality, however I think at least some of the opposition comes from the fact that you can probably get the same quality with equal performance for less money with some other brands. I can't quote actual prices for you as I am not on mainland Britain and our prices are usually a fair bit higher than the same thing you would buy in the UK.

There will be opinions aplenty coming up here I am sure.

 

[fezster]

I have a Megaflo, and whilst it is fine, there are equally good, cheaper alternatives. Joule is mentioned a lot, but I have no personal experience of them.

The one negative for Megaflo (which is ironically marketed as a positive!) is the internal baffle they use to take up expansion of hot water. In my experience, and if you search the forums, many other people's experience, it requires recharging far too often, even when everything has been setup correctly. You also lose some HW capacity because of it. I ended up having an external EV fitted on mine, as I got fed up with it.

With regards to Eco vs Eco Plus - what is your incoming cold water flow rate? If you intend on running 4+ showers, you will need to make sure your CW supply can cope with the flow rate required (or sufficient capacity in any accumulators you have fitted). You will also need to run 28mm pipework. The Eco Plus may have 28mm inlet and outlet connections and the Pressure Reducing Valve may be the 28mm variant, rather than the standard 22mm. All of these will help delivering the flow rates you'll inevitably require.

 

[Welder]

the pump is boxed up to provide some acoustic insulation

Therein lies part of your problem TBH...

Anyway, with that many bathrooms, THE most important aspect of your potential install is not what is installed, but the ability of the existing main to supply. Your plumbers should have advised this.

IMHO, you and your plumber are best off getting the OSO rep round to give you best advice. Sounds like you are in the house for a while so investing in good (reliable & servicable) kit should be very high on your list of priorities. Saving £200 now will cost you £1000s down teh line.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What’s your main pressure and flow also what’s your incoming pipe size eg dia ?

 

[Welder]

What’s your main pressure and flow also what’s your incoming pipe size eg dia ?

10:1 it's not known.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

10:1 it's not known.

That’s decent odds

 

[Jaggers123]

You are in the money as I don't know the pressure and flow myself but will ask my plumber as he did measure it.

The incoming supply was upgraded in the early 90s when the previous owner installed a swimming pool & spa so I would imagine it is a decent size but I won't guess!

YorkshireDave - you mention OSO, what is it about their cylinders that makes them better than Megaflo?