In order to help installers better meet the needs of their customers, Gareth Richards – Technical Director at Salamander Pumps – dispels a few of the myths around improving water flow in domestic properties with a combi boiler system.

It’s an age-old problem that has probably happened to everyone at some point in their lives. One person is in the shower, someone else in the house turns on a tap or puts the washing machine on and the shower flow instantly reduces to a dribble or becomes freezing cold. This is a common – and very annoying – issue.

Many installers believe it isn’t possible to boost mains pressure within UK water regulations, without replacing the incoming mains water supply. However, this is just one of the common myths that exist in this area.

Continuous product development to meet the needs of installers and their customers means there are now solutions available to help householders who are experiencing poor mains water pressure or flow either directly or indirectly via their combi boiler or mains pressure fed heating system.

Illegal boosting of the mains water supply

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 explain that ‘you shall not begin that work without the consent of that undertaker’ for ‘the installation of a pump or booster drawing more than 12 litres per minute, connected directly or indirectly to a supply pipe’.

Advances in technology combined with a commitment to innovation have made it possible – and legal – to develop a pump that can solve the problem of properties with low flow or varying water pressure while complying with water regulations.

Salamander’s HomeBoost , for example, operates at 1.6 bar closed head, typically boosting pressure by 1.5 bar while regulating flow up to 12 litres per minute. As the incoming flow varies, through the use of intelligent technology and an integral microchip, HomeBoost adapts to the flow, never going over 12 litres per minute, and moving into idle if sufficient flow is coming in from the water main.

The 12 litre legal limit cannot be breached by the pump, and the product is fully WRAS approved.

Tackling the issue of noise

It undoubtedly used to be the case that pumps were noisy, but pioneering use of materials and technology to reduce water turbulence and resulting vibrations has created impressively quiet and flow-efficient shower pumps.

Today’s pumps are energy efficient and flow efficient as well as being quiet. Independent testing shows that HomeBoost operates at just 46dB, making it quieter than an electric kettle.

Combi boilers and mains water flow

Small to medium sized combi boilers need 12 litres per minute of mains water to operate efficiently, and a suitable mains water pump can be fitted to allow the system to achieve this. If a large combi boiler is installed that needs more than 12 litres per minute, then a break tank can be fitted and the system can be boosted using single impellor shower pumps.

Ease of installation

Manufacturers are constantly striving to make installers’ lives easier. For example, although Salamander’s HomeBoost is designed to be connected to 22mm pipe work requiring standard nut and olive compression fittings, it comes supplied with two reducing sets if it is being installed onto 15mm pipe.

Inlet washer and outlet strainer have always been included, but the fittings pack in the box now includes two ¾” tap connectors with the reducing sets – basically, everything needed for a straightforward installation. Although the fitting of full bore isolating valves for easy removal and servicing is recommended as best practice.

 

Showers and more

As well as enhancing shower performance, pumps can ensure that household appliances, washbasins and baths also have continuity of supply and pressure. Common symptoms of low water pressure could include the toilet cistern taking a long time to fill or an electric shower cutting out when the toilet flushes.

A typical cistern holds up to 7.5 litres, so you don’t want to be waiting around for this to refill. Fitting the correct pump will improve water pressure and flow throughout the home.