Shower option for combi boiler
 

I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There
is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Thermostatic_
Shower_Mixer


TIA,

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

"Paul Giverin" wrote in message
...
I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There is
one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Thermostatic_
Shower_Mixer

Weve got an Aqualisa thermostatic mixer shower, and I have to say, its
brilliant. Not only that, but the after care service is brilliant too...
Had a slight problem with it when we first had it fitted, made a phone call,
and the next day a guy turned up and fixed it. Highly recomended.

In article ,
Paul Giverin writes:
I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There

You need a thermostatic shower specifically designed for
combi/multipoint use, and the cold feed will need replumbing
to come from the water mains, not the header tank.
These are designed to handle full pressure cold, anything
from low to full pressure hot, and know they can't change
the temperature just be reducing the hot flow (which with
a combi/multipoint often just makes the hot water hotter to
exactly cancel out the effect of the intended change).

Also, take the pump out (have heard of cases where it was
left in, and explodes a few days later with the mains water
pressure).

is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p...c_Shower_Mixer

Not enough detail. You would have to check what's written on
the box and/or the instructions with regards to suitability.

I bought a Gainsborough a few years ago, and that came in
3 types. IIRC, they were equal pressure inputs, high pressure
cold with low pressure hot, and combi/multipoint. Two of them
could easily be converted between by swapping a part, but the
third was completely different inside.

--
Andrew Gabriel

In message , Andrew Gabriel
writes
In article ,
Paul Giverin writes:

You need a thermostatic shower specifically designed for
combi/multipoint use, and the cold feed will need replumbing
to come from the water mains, not the header tank.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I am getting rid of the header tank and
having the whole house running off the main when I get the boiler
fitted.


Also, take the pump out (have heard of cases where it was
left in, and explodes a few days later with the mains water
pressure).


Interesting. I've still got the instructions knocking about. I'll have
to check if it mentions anything about mains pressure.

is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-


http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....p.Thermostati
c_Shower_Mixer

Not enough detail. You would have to check what's written on
the box and/or the instructions with regards to suitability.

I bought a Gainsborough a few years ago, and that came in
3 types. IIRC, they were equal pressure inputs, high pressure
cold with low pressure hot, and combi/multipoint. Two of them
could easily be converted between by swapping a part, but the
third was completely different inside.

Thanks for the info Andrew, I'll have to look into it further.

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

"Spike" wrote in message
...

"Paul Giverin" wrote in message
...
I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There
is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Thermostatic_
Shower_Mixer

Weve got an Aqualisa thermostatic mixer shower, and I have to say, its
brilliant. Not only that, but the after care service is brilliant too...
Had a slight problem with it when we first had it fitted, made a phone
call, and the next day a guy turned up and fixed it. Highly recomended.

Bad form an all that, I know, but just to clarify, it is hooked up to a
Combi boiler, and runs off the mains cold at full pressure..

Its one of these..

http://tinyurl.com/7amsp

The plumber who put it in recomended it as its one he uses at home :-)

On Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:27:10 +0100, Paul Giverin
wrote:

I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There
is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Thermostatic_
Shower_Mixer


TIA,


Notwithstanding the other helpful advice, are you aware that it is no
longer legal to fit a non-condensing boiler unless the circumstances
of the installation (worked on a points system related to location
etc.) meet certain criteria? Details at www.odpm.gov.uk in the
Building Regulations section.

There could be some cases with a back boiler installation where it
would not be reasonably possible according to the criteria to install
a condensing boiler. However, since the intent is to fit a combi,
then almost certainly the exemption criteria would not be met.

Obviously you *can* do want you want, but it may result in issues when
selling the house.



--

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

I fitted the Aqualisa Quartz model for combi boilers and One year later it
is still brilliant,very easy to install.it was not cheap but it really is
the bee's knee's.

In article ,
Paul Giverin writes:
In message , Andrew Gabriel
writes
Also, take the pump out (have heard of cases where it was
left in, and explodes a few days later with the mains water
pressure).

Interesting. I've still got the instructions knocking about. I'll have
to check if it mentions anything about mains pressure.

Even if you leave it in, you must not run it. It could generate
negative pressure in the water main, and then all those leaks
we've been hearing about on the news start operating the other
way round, sucking contaminents from the soil into the fresh
water supply.

--
Andrew Gabriel

In message ,
lid writes
In article ,
Paul Giverin writes:

Interesting. I've still got the instructions knocking about. I'll have
to check if it mentions anything about mains pressure.

Even if you leave it in, you must not run it. It could generate
negative pressure in the water main, and then all those leaks
we've been hearing about on the news start operating the other
way round, sucking contaminents from the soil into the fresh
water supply.


I had a look and it specifically says it must not be run off a mains
feed so its definitely got to go.


--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

In message , Andy Hall
writes
On Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:27:10 +0100, Paul Giverin
wrote:

I'm having a non-condensing combi boiler fitted in a couple of weeks to
replace the existing back boiler and HWC system. I've been told that I
won't be able to use my existing power shower which gets its supply from
the HWC and a cold water tank in the loft.

Is it the case that I definitely need to replace the shower? If so, what
are the alternatives? Is a thermostatic shower mixer a good idea? There
is one on sale at Lidl next week for a very good price :-

http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/index.nsf/p....Thermostatic_
Shower_Mixer


TIA,


Notwithstanding the other helpful advice, are you aware that it is no
longer legal to fit a non-condensing boiler unless the circumstances
of the installation (worked on a points system related to location
etc.) meet certain criteria? Details at www.odpm.gov.uk in the
Building Regulations section.


Yes I appreciate that but my heating engineer for the past 10 years
shares my dislike of condensing boilers and is more than happy to fit a
non-condenser and take care of the paperwork.

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

In message , Alex
writes
I fitted the Aqualisa Quartz model for combi boilers and One year later it
is still brilliant,very easy to install.it was not cheap but it really is
the bee's knee's.


It is rather pricey but I wouldn't rule it out. The Lidl one at £15 is
rather too cheap :)

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk