Re: [OT] Thermal Stores for hot water/heating

["ianh1000" <ianh1000@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jon,=20

I have a Gledhill boilermate heat store, it is about 9 years old now=20
and I live in a hard water area. I have had a few troubles with it=20
but nothing major. The hard water did kill the Oventrop mixing valve=20
after 6 years (=A370) and both PCB's have failed (=A335) each. I think=20
they are a better design now than my unit. My unit is a very simple=20
one PCB runs the HW pump for a few seconds every day so that it does=20
not stick during the summer, the other runs the pump for 5 min after=20
the boiler stops to pull out all the residual heat. both had failed=20
relays but the new boards had better relays fitted.

I am very happy with the performance of it, the high pressure hot=20
water has caught a few guests out when they turn the bath taps to=20
shower and the showerhead jumps out of their hands.

I have noticed that Gritish Bas have removed a number around here (=20
all of my local area has these units) and been working on the tank on=20
the front drive. No idea why they would need to do that.

I think that generaly plumbers do not understand how they work. My=20
sister had a plumber out 4 times trying to fix hers, I told him 3=20
times it was the external mixer valve but he knew better, on the 4th=20
visit he changed the valve and the problem was fixed.

The design is very simple so I am not sure why they don't like them,=20
perhaps it is the fact that all of the plumbing runs at mains=20
pressure so they need to do a good installation job.

Regards
Ian=20





--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Jonathan Shaw" <semi.jon@...>
wrote:
>
> I read a lot about hot water cylinders before talking to plumbers=20
and=20
> decided that with underfloor heating + radiators & a condensing=20
> boiler that a thermal store was the best option as theory is that=20
> even when heating the house (rather than water) the themal mass of=20
> the heatstore gives the boiler something to work on and=20
> prevents/reduces boiler cycling/ inefficiency associated with=20
> condensing boilers and zoned heating whre only one room may be=20
> calling for heat.=20=20=20
>=20
> None of the (getting on for 10) plumbers I have spoken to think=20
this=20
> is a good idea.  All generally vague reasons that seem to centre=20
> on "I fit what I know" rather than listening to customer; oh
and=20
the=20
> annual service for the pressure relief valves needed for unvented=20
> cylinders, nice litle earner.  One suggested in hardwater areas the=20
> heat exchanger would calcify, but Googling doesn't seem to back=20
this=20
> up.  Naturally eh suppliers (Chelmerheating, Nu-heat, Gledhill) all=20
> deny this is a problem.
>=20
> Are there any heating engineers on the list that can offer
advice?=20=20
> Or anyone with a thermal store in a hardwater area?
>=20
> TIA
> Jon
>