I am getting close to the first fix of renovating my house and wantedto test out an idea I have been thinking about on the plumbing side ofthings.These are the two main unchangeable factors I have already decided upon1) I am going to have a new decent combi condensing boiler2) I will be having 2 showers. One in the main bathroom and the otherin an en suite.So the obvious problem is that when both showers are in use at the sametime one will suffer for sure.First Solution - Replace one thermostatic shower with an electricshower. But more costly at say 3/4 times more per electric shower use.Second Solution - Have thermostatic shower and an electric shower sideby side and use whichever is dictated by if the other is in use. Kindof weird looking I imagine.OR Supply warmed water via a mixer valve to the electric shower.The advantage I see here is if there are no other demands on the hotwater the electric shower will be supplied by warm water (set at maxsafe temp) so the electric show would only have to rise the temperatureby a small amount. But if hot water is being used elsewhere then theelectric shower will then pretty much take over heating the water..This idea seems to worki n theory in my mind, but my knowledge ofpractical plumbing is limited (this will have change as I'm going havea go doing all the plumbing myself). One problem maybe is that I haveassumed a method/device exists that allows you to prioritise supply ofhot water to different places.Another factor that might help me out is that I have very high mainscold water pressure (my cheap hose pipes expand to twice there width!)and something close to 50 liters a minute flow rate.

I am getting close to the first fix of renovating my house and wantedto test out an idea I have been thinking about on the plumbing side ofthings.These are the two main unchangeable factors I have already decided upon1) I am going to have a new decent combi condensing boiler2) I will be having 2 showers. One in the main bathroom and the otherin an en suite.So the obvious problem is that when both showers are in use at the sametime one will suffer for sure.First Solution - Replace one thermostatic shower with an electricshower. But more costly at say 3/4 times more per electric shower use.Second Solution - Have thermostatic shower and an electric shower sideby side and use whichever is dictated by if the other is in use. Kindof weird looking I imagine.OR Supply warmed water via a mixer valve to the electric shower.The advantage I see here is if there are no other demands on the hotwater the electric shower will be supplied by warm water (set at maxsafe temp) so the electric show...

Using an electric shower and combi boiler as a team to save energy!?

Nov 25, 2006 21 Replies

Rate this thread:

Doctor Drivel 19 years ago

Read what I wrote.

Vote

sm_jamieson 19 years ago

I posted a query on this a long time ago. What about a thermostatic valve set to supply the electic shower input at a fixed temp of say, 20 to 25 degrees, something safe. It would not nick much from the other combi shower, but allow the electric shower to provide more hot water. It would also provide consistent electric shower performance throughout the year. I can't see why this wouldn't work. Or how about electric shower into thermo valve cold side, then you could have the electric shower power up as required (flow switch ?) and the thermo valve would start taking less hot from the combi. Any thoughts ? Simon.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required