Boiler or leccy shower. Which is more efficient?

[julianf]

Vented to an expansion tank makes it a std big hot water cylinder not a store!

http://www.gledhill.net/page/180/Thermal-Storage.htm

"Being open vented, they...."

Or...

http://www.newarkcoppercylinder.co.uk/thermalstores.html

"Requiring only access to a cold water mains supply and a facility to overflow to the outside (direct from the combination units and from a header tank for cylinder units)"



The difference between a thermal store and a hot water tank is what you are storing. In a hot water tank, youre storing hot, portable water. In a the "thermal store" units that both the manufactures above are selling, there is no (or very negligible) storing of portable water. Instead the heat is stored in static (dirty / inhibited) water and this heat is transferred to the portable water, on-demand.

 

[julianf]

Exactly so: I have about 3 gash copper cylinders, 2 of which are scrap singles with good coils and one is a double coil ( I thought I'd lucked-in with that one, but the bottom was like a sieve). So, that gives me 3 coils and one good tank for a spare for the main one, iyswim, it's too good to scrap. Of course, if the main tank pops its clogs, that releases another coil...
So, with 3 (or four) coils, I might be good to start off with it.
I nearly lost the lot a couple of years ago when a pair of robbin' barstewards tried to break in - I'd made the mistake of leaving them in the middle of the floor and they could be seen through a crack in the door.

Good point about the static nature of the thermal store water - I can dose it with inhibitor, as a one-off cost, which shouldn't break the bank.

You should get then chopped up and weighed in! : )

If theyre stuffed anyhow, im guessing youre never going to use them for anything but the coils, and coils are a lot easier to store out of sight. They cut up nice and quick with a thin disc. If you can be bothered, cut the seams out, and weigh them in as copper rather than, umm, brazery (?) and you get about 50p more per kilo (and you can still weigh in the seams etc. as brazery separately.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

http://www.gledhill.net/page/180/Thermal-Storage.htm

"Being open vented, they...."

Or...

http://www.newarkcoppercylinder.co.uk/thermalstores.html

"Requiring only access to a cold water mains supply and a facility to overflow to the outside (direct from the combination units and from a header tank for cylinder units)"



The difference between a thermal store and a hot water tank is what you are storing. In a hot water tank, youre storing hot, portable water. In a the "thermal store" units that both the manufactures above are selling, there is no (or very negligible) storing of portable water. Instead the heat is stored in static (dirty / inhibited) water and this heat is transferred to the portable water, on-demand.

Sorry, me being a pedant but its Potable as in drinkable and not Portable.

 

[julianf]

Sorry, me being a pedant but its Potable as in drinkable and not Portable.

Thank you : )

...the stupid thing is, at points in the past, ive known that, but it still keeps getting changed in my head!

 

[Kent]

http://www.gledhill.net/page/180/Thermal-Storage.htm

"Being open vented, they...."

Or...

http://www.newarkcoppercylinder.co.uk/thermalstores.html

"Requiring only access to a cold water mains supply and a facility to overflow to the outside (direct from the combination units and from a header tank for cylinder units)"

I have seen all sorts of trash spoken in the UK. I was trained by the Austrians Biotech and Windhauger and the Germans Viesman when I looked at importing this stuff. I have also been to quite a few jobs were clients spent thousands being advised by "experts" and their systems just didn't work. A thermal store would NEVER go upstairs due to the sheer weight through volume of water required 1500 ltrs is far from uncommon. Neither are they done open vented but you will get people selling you a big water cylinder open vented and calling it a store (like I said I have seen it). I found the UK market full of chancers out to make a quick buck and very few persons of any knowledge or integrity, that's the main reason I dumped the plan.
Give it 7 yrs or so and once the Government has spent up on subsidies and it will all calm down and clients will get what they have a right to expect



The difference between a thermal store and a hot water tank is what you are storing. In a hot water tank, youre storing hot, portable water. In a the "thermal store" units that both the manufactures above are selling, there is no (or very negligible) storing of portable water. Instead the heat is stored in static (dirty / inhibited) water and this heat is transferred to the portable water, on-demand.

 

[Wedg1e]

I put in a top of range Mira 9.5K - retails at over £400 but got it 3 months old off EBAY for £70. It is very efficient and also gives a fantastic shower.

When I stripped out and fitted a new bathroom at Nursy's place I bunged the old electric shower in the shed 'just in case' the tank-fed power shower I installed didn't work.
Last week my mother reported that her donkeys'-years old shower was on the blink: I remembered the one in the shed and dug it out with a view to fitting it at the old dear's place.
It turned out to be a Mira 9.8kW that apparently cost (as you say) hundreds when new, I never knew a wall-mounted kettle could be that expensive! I can't fit it at my mother's place as the existing wiring is only 6mm so under-spec. according to the shower manual. I dare say it'd work but we don't want to upset the purists, do we

 

[normspanners]

When I stripped out and fitted a new bathroom at Nursy's place I bunged the old electric shower in the shed 'just in case' the tank-fed power shower I installed didn't work.
Last week my mother reported that her donkeys'-years old shower was on the blink: I remembered the one in the shed and dug it out with a view to fitting it at the old dear's place.
It turned out to be a Mira 9.8kW that apparently cost (as you say) hundreds when new, I never knew a wall-mounted kettle could be that expensive! I can't fit it at my mother's place as the existing wiring is only 6mm so under-spec. according to the shower manual. I dare say it'd work but we don't want to upset the purists, do we

Maybe if your mother practised a little Diversity ??
IE danced around a little in the shower?

 

[Kent]

I actually have a Mira elec shower never fitted or used lurking away some place if someone actually wants it