Boiler or Megaflow advice/recommendations

[devsdev]

Hi all,

Seeking yet more advice!

We need to install a new boiler. We currently have a 10 year old Saunier Duval - so any boiler will be better! We were recommended a Vaillant Combination Storage Boiler (http://www.vaillant.co.uk/homeowners/products/domestic-boilers/ecotec-plus-storage-combination/) as a good solution for our house (we'll have 2 full bathrooms and upto 4 bedrooms requiring heating in the future). We want a boiler that will allow 2 showers to be run without a complete drop in pressure (I accept some pressure might drop). Currently you can't even have the kitchen tap on if you're having a shower and it drives me nuts!

Unfortunately the suggested Combi-Storage boiler is too big to fit where we had planned and we're trying to check if it'll go in the eaves (difficult with all the piping). In case this doesn't work out I was wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions of systems they have used which they are happy with. Are there any other brands with Combi-Storage boilers? And are there any that are wider than they are longer (we only have available height of about 700mm)?

Alternately, should we take on the additional ?2/?3k and put in a Megaflow system?

Lastly, is ~?3k a good price for draining CH/hot water system, stripping out boiler and pipework, installing new boiler, installing wireless room thermostat and installing TRVs to existing radiators?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Dev

[corinne R]

Dev

I am no expert, but have been researching the same problem. Old boiler, lack of water pressure, 4 bed, 2 bath. I have decided to spend the extra and go for megaflow as I will have no pressure issues and instantaneous hot water. If I was looking at selling the house I am told is what houses this size now have. If you go down the boiler route do your research, there are boilers and there are boilers. I am now saving up! Mega flow is a vented system that requires certification so I am told.

[Marmora Man]

We fitted a Mega Flow in Marmora Mansions - and would highly recommend. The piping around the boiler looks like a snakes wedding but we can run two showers and kitchen taps without fear and a good head of pressure even 4 floors up from the boiler.

As to fees - yours seem reasonable we paid slightly more than that 6 years ago.

[nictao]

Hi,

Your situation is very common, and given that your changing boiler and need to address the pressure situation within your house, your heading in the right direction.

If I were you I would look at a decent condensing boiler (forget combi storage - keep it simple) and a storage system. Megaflows are very good if a tad on the expensive side. You will probably need something in the region of 250-300 litre cylinder. Remember a standard shower will use aprox 8-10 litres per minute a power shower 12-15. Hot water cylinders come in all shapes and sizes so you might be able to find one that might work given the amount of space available, you can link 2 small cylinders together!

Systems can either be vented ie going to a header tank (old school) or unvented with an expansion vessel, small red thing that's about the size of a basketball and I think they do require slightly different certification because of the operating pressures.

Price seems very competitive by the way.

Hope this helps?

[devsdev]

Thank you all so much - really helpful!

I'm off to Google some of the terms and options as I haven't a clue! We have someone coming in on Friday to measure the flow again (it was done before, paperwork lost!) and it'll be great to have some options I can bring up to discuss. Any further advice welcome!

[devsdev]

Right, another follow up on this.

We had the team come in to review our options and give a quote on a system boiler plus a 210 liter unvented boiler. This is coming out at ?1500 more than a combination storage boiler. We would have to situate both boilers in a closet in the loft as won't fit in the eaves (annoying!), though the cylinder will fit in the eaves. So it comes down to price and, most importantly, what will be the best option for us both now and 5/10 years from now. Any advice?

Also - should we have a PowerFlush (?400) and install a MagnaClean Filter (?350)? Pricey additionals, but if they are genuinely beneficial then we will consider them.

Thank you again very very much!

Dev

[ed_pete]

An alternative to unvented cylinders (like Megaflow) is the Flowsmart from Alpha.

http://www.alpha-innovation.co.uk/products/FlowSmart/FlowSmart+original/991603208

We went for one of these 3 years ago as we didn't have enough space for a large cylinder. I'm not sure it performs quite as well as they claimed but we can run two showers simultaneously though they are at a reduced flow rate compared to just one running. One irritation is the installers insistance on "annual servicing" which they claim is necessary as a condition of the guarantee and costs in the region of ?150 for very little effort as far as I can see - I did it once but have ignored there annual reminders since.

I suspect this aspect is not limited to Alpha and you'll get this with all boiler/cylinder manufacturers.

Worth checking this out too.

[NessD]

We have a megaflow (2 bathrooms & a cloakroom) and the water pressure is excellent (it feels like someone is drilling into your head, but in a a good way!) even if both showers are on at the same time. We're moving at the moment and have factored in the cost of a megaflow as having had one I now wouldn't be without it. Well worth the money.

[LondonMix]

Stupid question but do you need both a mega flow and a boiler? Or is it just a question of getting a megaflow installed and removing your old boiler? Have to make some plumbing decisions and just realise I have no idea how any of this works.