Vented cylinders and shower pumps

[bertle]

Hello all,

I have a vented indirect cylinder connected to a shower pump, Stuart Turner Monsoon.

Wanted to replace the cylinder and keep the pump - I have seen the Megalife Vented HE indirect cylinder and it is sized upto 210L. Like the look of OSO tanks and they seem to come in bigger sizes, 250L, 300L. 3 bathrooms in house.

But OSO tanks seem to be unvented only.

1. Is it possible to use a unvented cylinder but using it in a vented circuit with the shower pump (we have power showers) ? I have read a that cylinder and pump is the best performance for high output/flow showers.

2. We have a system boiler and want to replace it at some point soon, is there an advantage to having an open vent boiler installed but converting it to sealed? I understand this means the CH pump, expansion vessel and filling loop are sited outside of the boiler, making repairs much easier in future?


Best,

BErtle

 

[thompsonbrown]

Dont compromise your system for the sake of a pump.
Get a H3 reg guy round to check your system out, and make sure it will work correctly.

 

[bertle]

hi ThompsonB,

Do you mean it is worthwhile not using a shower pump with a vented HW circuit?

Bertle

 

[PhoenixServices]

Get a g3 plumber to come round and check pressure and flow rate of your water main. If it's enough you can do away with the pumps and vented cylinder and fit an unvented one to give you lovely showers with no noisy pumps. And if you have the space and money swap to a heat only with separate controls, but be prepared it will cost more to install but easier to maintain (slightly).

P.s with the unvented cylinder the tank in the loft can be taken out.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I think you are misunderstanding what the OP is asking. My reading of it is that he wants to use an OSO unvented cylinder as a vented one. No problem at all in doing this, just do away with the controls pack and fit it the same as the old one.

Have a look at RM cylinders, I like them and the prices are very competitive.

I'd stick with a system boiler, no more difficult to work on than a heat only IMHO.

 

[efficiencyman]

I think you are misunderstanding what the OP is asking. My reading of it is that he wants to use an OSO unvented cylinder as a vented one. No problem at all in doing this, just do away with the controls pack and fit it the same as the old one.

Have a look at RM cylinders, I like them and the prices are very competitive.

I'd stick with a system boiler, no more difficult to work on than a heat only IMHO.

I would also have provision of extra inputs for renewables that can be added later, might as well future proof with some cheaper energy as it keeps going up.
With a large growing family always good for bigger thermal store.
I would go with points 1 & 2 both have advantages if you have the space.

 

[RoryD]

Well hot water at mains pressure should be enough! We all know that's the reason for unvented cylinders, as was said, if the pressure is up to scratch at the mains I wouldn't have thought there was any need for a pump.

 

[bertle]

Thanks for all of these replies.

MikeJackson
Yes, I was asking if an unvented tank can be used as a vented one. I have seen OSO recommended and will also look at RM...... vented cylinders seem to only come in smaller sizes! We have 3 bathrooms so wanted to increase the size of our water tank to upto 300L.

Phoenix, Thanks for advice on conversion to heat only boilers. There is space. The boiler is in the garage. The vented cylinder is in a 1st floor bedroom, the plan was to move the tank and noisy monsoon pump to the garage as well.

EfficiencyMan, I hadnt thought about the extra inputs on these 'solar tanks' - perhaps for now an extra coil could be used to heat the water faster?

RoryD, You are right. The mains is poor so we need the pump!

Thanks for the advice everyone,

BErtle.

 

[Killy Bing]

Thanks for all of these replies.

MikeJackson
Yes, I was asking if an unvented tank can be used as a vented one. I have seen OSO recommended and will also look at RM...... vented cylinders seem to only come in smaller sizes! We have 3 bathrooms so wanted to increase the size of our water tank to upto 300L.

Phoenix, Thanks for advice on conversion to heat only boilers. There is space. The boiler is in the garage. The vented cylinder is in a 1st floor bedroom, the plan was to move the tank and noisy monsoon pump to the garage as well.

EfficiencyMan, I hadnt thought about the extra inputs on these 'solar tanks' - perhaps for now an extra coil could be used to heat the water faster?

RoryD, You are right. The mains is poor so we need the pump!

Thanks for the advice everyone,

BErtle.

bertle bertle

you say the mains is poor?
is this flow rate or pressure?
or both.

What are your neighbours mains like?

 

[bertle]

Hi Killy,

The pressure and flow as measured from kitchen sink and garden tap are poor.

BErtle

bertle bertle

you say the mains is poor?
is this flow rate or pressure?
or both.

What are your neighbours mains like?

 

[Killy Bing]

find out from on neighbors what there's is like

Get your static pressure tested.
what's the incoming main size?

if you have a reasonable static pressure but poor flow rate then a mains upgrade could allow you to use the unvented as intended without a pump !!

 

[bertle]

Thanks for your help Killy - I hadn't thought of what you suggested.

Bertle