Showers, pumps and gravity water systems

[mr_tony]

ANyone got reccommendations on electric shower systems for use with a gravity fed hot water system?

So far been reccommended Hansgroe, and Aqualisa. Seemingly similar set ups with a remote controlled electric mixer pumps that draws in hot and cold gravity feeds, pums and mixes and delivers to shower via single pipe.

Anyone installed / used either (or both) and got any opinions?

[Fort Jefferson]

We have a couple a "Redring Expresions 520 ts"

They are a pumped shower. You do have to have gravity COLD and HOT.

I fitted one in the main bathroom about 5 years ago, and have just fitted one in the en-suite.

[iiyama]

Ive installed plenty of Aqualisa systems, mainly the Quartz model though. Does what it says on the tin to be honest!

[Hereward]

I moved house last year and have inherited two Aqualisa Aquastreams. Very happy with them, they provide better flow and pressure than the Megaflo-fed showers in my previous house.

[Smiler.]

Installed a Grohe unit, very easy & very pleased with it. Got another one to go in the bathroom.

[Ferg]

Hereward said:

I moved house last year and have inherited two Aqualisa Aquastreams. Very happy with them, they provide better flow and pressure than the Megaflo-fed showers in my previous house.

The curse of the badly spec-ed unvented cylinder!!

[Ricky_M]

I'd go for a stand alone mixer shower and external shower pump, may be more expensive, but gives you a wider range of showers to choose from and if you ever upgrade to High Pressure Hot Water you can use the existing shower and just ditch the pump.

[mr_tony]

Thanks for the replies folks. I have looked seriously at having the house upgraded to a megaflo system, but the additional cost and work and the fact that I can't do this myself realistically has put me off somewhat.

Positive feedback on both systems is good enough for me - everything I've read elsewhere seems positive, so I shall take the plunge..

[benmc]

iiyama said:

Ive installed plenty of Aqualisa systems, mainly the Quartz model though. Does what it says on the tin to be honest!

I know of at least 6 of these fitted in either ours or with close family. Everyone is very happy, good product.

When I purchased one 2 years ago these were the cheapest supplier

http://www.h-i-e.co.uk/

Ben

[Griff Boy]

benmc said:

iiyama said:

Ive installed plenty of Aqualisa systems, mainly the Quartz model though. Does what it says on the tin to be honest!

I know of at least 6 of these fitted in either ours or with close family. Everyone is very happy, good product.

When I purchased one 2 years ago these were the cheapest supplier

http://www.h-i-e.co.uk/

Ben

These showers are pretty good, but they have a weak point. The ecu is in the control box / pump unit which is fitted in the loft space above the bathroom (usually) however if the box gets below 2 deg it goes into a safe mode and doesn't work! Bit of an issue at the moment! Aqualisas answer is to fit a cardboard box over the unit......

Just something to be aware of if you have or are installing one and you have very good ceiling insulation and subsequently a cold loft space. I'd suggest removing the insulation from the area below to help allow some hear up through the ceiling to the unit.

To be fair it's probably something that will effect other similar showers, but I've never experienced the issue with a Mira magna for example.

[Simpo Two]

Griff Boy said:

These showers are pretty good, but they have a weak point. The ecu is in the control box / pump unit which is fitted in the loft space above the bathroom (usually) however if the box gets below 2 deg it goes into a safe mode and doesn't work!

Mine (Aqualisa Axis Digital) is above the bathroom ceiling (not lagged beneath) and will freeze up when the outside temp gets to about -6. It makes pumping noises but doesn't pump. So I put an old sleeping bag over it and that seems to have done the trick.

If I was doing it again I'd put the pump in the airing cupboard - but you still need to lag the pipes in the roof and there comes a point when they're going to freeze whatever you do.