Which hot water system?

[Skiny]

I am looking for some advice regarding hot water systems.


I have recently bought a house that I am renovating and the hot water system is going to be replaced, as the current one is ancient. The room configuration is 2 rooms upstairs, 3 downstairs - 2 directly below and another long one in an extension at the back of the house (about 6x3m).


It shouldn't be a big deal to heat, as it's not a big place, but I am wondering about the hot water supply. The shower is a rain shower and uses quite a lot of water and I also have a large bath to fill. I do not want any hot water shortages, water temporarily going cool, etc. Also, I want an electric backup method of heating the water, in case the gas boiler breaks down.

I don't know much about this. I suppose with a tank, I could have an immersion as well, to serve as the backup. But is there some better way to do it?




Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Dan-HybridHeat]

The only way to do all you want is with an unvented cylinder, but it's having the space in a house that size.

 

[steadyon]

If you want to retain a back up in case of boiler troubles, then you have to retain a tank.

If you have the pressure and flow to support it (20 litres per minute and 2 bar or thereabouts) you could go the unvented route, as above.

If pressure / flow is inadequate for an unvented system, you could go for a vented hot water cylinder (with immersion heater) and a pump for the shower. Probably wouldn't need a pump for the bath.

 

[Riley]

If flow and pressure are suitable then unvented cylinder all the way. Your plumber will advise you best as he will need to be G3

 

[Skiny]

Thanks for all the replies.


Ok, so if the pressure is there, unvented seems the answer.


I realize it's difficult to put an accurate price on it, but assuming the the boiler and tank are supplied by me, roughly what sort of labour cost should I expect, to remove the current boilers (there are 2 at the moment - one for heating, the other for water) and install the new system. The property is completely empty at the moment - not even carpets - so should be fairly easy to work in.


Cheers.

 

[thompsonbrown]

Hard to give a price on a job you cant see. Lots of variables such as pipe runs, Gas run, position of installation and what area you are in the country.

 

[Skiny]

I'm in south Wales. I'd like to move the position of the current boiler as it's not in a good place, though house itself is pretty small, so it wouldn't be going far. Gas runs right through to the back of the house at the moment.

 

[thompsonbrown]

You might need to upgrade pipework from meter to boiler and without looking its hard to price. Why not get a few local gas safe fitters to quote. Look on the gas safe register for fitters in your area. you should get a good idea of prices in your area.
I would also hold off buying any materials until you have had an engineer round.

 

[Skiny]

Yeah, that is true and I will do that. I was just wondering what to expect as a rough figure, as I really have no idea where to even begin on labour costs.

 

[thompsonbrown]

I would be looking at around £2000 labour. But that's a rough figure not seen your system and pricing it where I live in ***bria.
Hope that helps some.

 

[Skiny]

Ok, thank you for that