vented or unvented that is the question???

[Confusedwoman]

Cut a very long story sort. I am upgrading my heating and hot water system as it is an old floor standing gravity fed system without any zone values.

I have 2 bathrooms and an on suite. 5 bedroom house with 7 people living here and12 radiators

The 2 bathroom are used alot and currently have an old cylinder which is very small and old (red jacket one) and most probably full of limescale and sludge.

I have an cold water tank in loft and a shower pump which feeds in only one of the showers from the cylinder.

Both showers will be used at the same time and I would like a powerful shower.

So here the story so far:

I have had some plumbers in and various advise.

One suggestion is to instal a unvented cylinder and new boiler. (problem is the main is old lead pipe and then goes into a 15mm pipe. they have check the pressure at it is fine but the flow rate is under the recommend guidlines for a unvented. So 1 souluton was the upgrade the mains and hope for the best. second was to install a 100 gallon tank in the celler with a pump which will pump to the unvented cyclinder.

the other option is the have a upgraded vented clynider 300l and have a multi shower shower pump installed to the showers.

OR

To have 2 100 gallon cold water tanks in loft and 3.5 pump. and also ungrade the vented cyclinder to a 300l one.


I am very confused and really dont know what to do so your help would be appreciated.

Like I said all I want is a system which is going to give me a powerful shower and enough hot water without having to wait 1hr each time two peopleor 3 people have a shower which is what happening currently.​

p.s pressure for the taps are fine to wash dishes ect ect so i not worried about increasing these. Also a electric shower with tyhe ensuite is a possiblity.

Thanking you in advance


​

 

[Howsie]

Welcome to the forum.

There a a couple of ways to skin this cat and you've listed them here. My preference would be to upgrade the mains and install a suitable unvented cylinder.

When asked to provide an estimate for such jobs with often provide the client with a couple of options listing the pros and cons of each.

Where are you based? Perhaps one of the members on here could have a look for you.

 

[Confusedwoman]

i am based in EPSOM.

If i was to upgrade the mains there is no guarantee to get the flow rate enough for this to work. And really can afford to spend £600-£800 to find out. Plus I used to live in London (wembley) and the water pressure dropped after a while and the plumber at the time said that this is common as the water company only have to supply with an certain amount of flow and pressure. So my point is what if this happens again will I have an unvented system which won’t work? Or give me pressure in the showers?

Plus forgive me if this is not right but if I am getting little flow and pressure at the mains currently then when in the shower this will then give only what is coming if i don’t use a pump?

 

[Howsie]

We do a lot in Epsom and are based in Esher.

I can guarantee you that an upgraded mains will work very well. Happy to come over and talk through the options with you if that helps?

 

[Confusedwoman]

okay. have you got a conact number so we can arrange.

 

[Confusedwoman]

p.s I heard that unvented are alot of upkeep in comarrrison to vented, is this true as my husbad is away and dont want to mess around with anything?

 

[Mike Jackson]

Unvented need a service once a year if correctly installed.

 

[Megaflo-Experts]

An Accumulator may be an option to consider, then you won't be at the mercy of your water supplier - you can determine the volume of stored water, together with the pressure and flow that you require!

 

[Confusedwoman]

Thanks for the info. So in everyone wisdom you all suggest an Unveted system and potentilly and accumulator if needed if the best thing for a great and powerful shower?