Which is the most suitable boiler for 5 bed house with 3 showers?

Discussion started by kay
Started on Tue, 26/05/2009 - 16:06

Looking to have new boiler installed to source 2 new ensuites. Existing bath/shower and house heated via combi boiler. As a family we scramble to use the showers in the morning so we are adding ensuites. We are unsure to 1) install a separate combi for 2 new ensuites and provide ufh to new ground floor extension. 2) have a separate vented (tank system) boiler to give us power showers for both ensuites and downstairs ufh 3) replace existing combi with 1 vented system. We like the flexibility of instant hot water with the demands of a family yet worry about water pressure of the showers. Can pumps be a way of getting around this?

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#1

Which is the most suitable boiler for 5 bed house with 3 showers

21stcentruryelec
Tue, 26/05/2009 - 20:59
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In terms of make of boiler I always go for the Worcester Bosch, if you have any warranty work they are 1st class no messing. But you'll have less hassle with one say to a cheaper baxi.

With regard to the type of system I'd go with a single conventional boiler and a large unvented cylinder, 2 boilers is double the servicing. No sure on running 3 showers at once though even with booster pumps I would think there are limits to how much volume you can pull of the street through the little blue or lead pipe.

I would get a couple of heating engineers to come and check the job out and get them to test your mains pressure.

#2

Re: Which is the most suitable boiler for 5 bed house with 3 sho

Michael Holmes
Tue, 16/06/2009 - 14:28
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I'd recommend you start by getting the local water board to test the pressure in the local mains. If you have 3 bar or more you will have plenty of pressure for an unvented system and it will kick out enough pressure for three showers at once, providing you have a large enough cylinder to keep them supplied with hot water.

I agree that the most efficient option will be to go for a single, energy efficient, condensing system boiler paired with a large unvented cylinder - say 300 litres, ideally rapid recovery (i.e. a large coil heat exchanger) as you have so many bathrooms.

If you go for a pressurized (unvented) system you will not need pumps for a power shower as you will have sufficient pressure anyway. If you go for a combi, you can't add a pump, and you will need a minimum of 1 bar of pressure. The issue when trying to run three showers of a combi is unlikely to be pressure, but hot water flow rate. You need around 12-15 litres per minute per shower.

Michael Holmes is the Editor-in-Chief of Homebuilding & Renovating, Real Homes and Period Living magazines, and presenter of several property TV shows. He has self-built three times and renovated over 25 houses, and is the author of Renovating for Profit

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