"HLAH" wrote in message
...

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
TheScullster wrote:

"HLAH" wrote
.

You should consider a combi first. They make some fabulous models
now.

I'm sure there are but I still don't want one :-)

Having paid particular attention to boiler posts over recent months, the
problems encountered seem to relate to the complexity of control and
electronics in the modern condensing units, rather than whether they
include the hot water generating "combi" element.

Depends also on what flow you want. It's easy to get high flow in the
average house from a storage system to fill say a bath quickly - until of
course that store runs out. But that's why storage cylinders are the size
they are. And a fast recovery type will re-heat in the time it takes for
a
leisurely bath.
No domestic combi will match this flow at the same temperature, and those
which get closest ain't cheap. There's also the problem that in many
parts
of the country water pressure is low in an attempt to combat mains leaks.
This can reduce the potential of any combi system even further.
See the heating FAQ - it gives chapter and verse.

--

These are exactly the reasons why I don't want a combi.

But that was tripe.

Everyone I know who has been sold one on the basis of the benefits has
been dissapointed. Mainly because of dissapointing flow.

Then get a highflow combi. Do a search on this group for Alpha CD50 a few
satisfied users. who will confirm the flowrates. They will a bath as fast as
any storage system and no tanks or cylinders. Just because your mates have
put in an inappropriate models does not mean they are all like that. Find
out.

The mains pressure here is around 1 Bar and I suspect sometimes less when
it's been dry for a while and everyone is watering their gardens. Not
being able to have a power shower without difficulty is not acceptable as
far as I am concerned.

Is that 1 bar static pressure, with nothing flowing?

Also I neglected to mention we are planning a solar installation so a big
storage cylinder seems like a very good idea to improve the efficiency and
reduce the payback time.

Ah he missed lots out. If you do have dire water mains pressure, this
usually improves when a new 25mm plastic mains pipe is fitted, then fit a
loft tank and heat bank. Heat banks are superb for mixing different heat
sources and ideal for solar. Have a pump on the tank to heat bank line to
give high pressure water at "all" taps. When the mains is updated in the
road then you can strip out the tanks and pumps and go direct from the
mains. Have an integrated heat bank running the CH from it. It is the best
solution and gives great scope and flexibility for the future too.