Time to replace the hot water tank- please tell me about Megaflow or other unvented systems?

[Milliways]

This morning we have a ceiling down due to a leak in the hot water tank :(
At least it is in a room that was overdue a redecorate and not my new kitchen!
When the boiler was serviced last year the engineer told us about a pressured boiler that needed specialist fitting and would solve our awful pressure problems, as we live in a chalet bungalow with a tiny water tank at no real height. Googling seems to suggest a Megaflow or similar.

If you have an unvented system how is it? Was the installation straightforward? (Our house is old and ‘quirky’ and we have yet to have a single job that hasn’t had problems with uneven wall angles, sloping ceilings, very odd wiring etc that we are very slowly sorting and upgrading.)

Interested in recommendations of companies for supplying or fitting too.

Thanks

We're having Megaflow in the renovation and it seems to be the new standard install for new builds etc. Definitely worth it if the pennies stretch that far as it's obviously a higher spec install. It keeps the water pressure up so if you flush the loo while someone is in the shower they won;t feel the pressure drop, for example. It also removes need for shower pumps and the such.
Install can be placed in your loft too so completely out of the way :)

We had a mega flow in our old flat (already installed) and have just had an equivalent one installed in our new house (1930s) terrace house.

Pros:
No need for water tank in loft
Cold water comes off mains in all taps so drinkable
Much better water pressure (was able to disconnect pump for power shower)
You can run multiple taps/showers without impacting on the other running hot/cold
I assume it’s more energy efficient.
The cylinder fits where the old hot water cylinder was. Or we were told horizontal ones for the loft available. Can’t remember the cost as it was part of a bigger renovation but I’m very happy with it and would pay for it again. Ours was fitted by a local plumbing company.

They are great for all the reasons above. I feel for you with your water pressure in the bungalow and assuming your mains pressure is up good it will solve you problems.

These are the things you might have to do that I can remember when I had ours done - there may be more:-

1. Upgrade the incoming main supply to 25mm - this will depend on the current supply and the number of bathrooms you have. Your plumber will be able to advise before he starts work - easy.

1. May have to upgrade some taps.

1. Toilet internals will need changing.

1. Existing pipework will need tweaking.

I recommend doing it. Its amazing how much pleasure good plumbing can give you.

I’ll tell you next week - ours goes in on Tuesday!

Thanks everyone, finally got an engineer here fixing the tank, def looks like that is the way to go for our house.

Do your research on which unvented cylinder you use.

I have had Megaflo in two houses and have had issues with both.

In the first the pressure bubble was constantly having to be reset because it wouldn’t hold.

In my last house I had a similar issue but also had a problem with existing toilet / tap fittings. The pressure was too high for them and I had several failures. I also had a tank failure.

Megaflo carried out a routine (very expensive) service on the tank and replaced one of the valves. Two days later the valve failed and I woke up to the sound of running water, which had poured through the kitchen ceiling and flooded my kitchen. They agreed they were at fault and paid for repainting, but it was a real hassle.

My new house has an OSO tank. Much better behaved and carries a 10 year guarantee.

@inmylifeIlovedthemall

I've heard some stories ago MegaFlow too.

I used this tank. Was excellent, comes pre-plumbed with everything you need. Just add boiler, pump and rain and job done.

www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/150l-system-fit-everflo-unvented-storage-cylinder

Thank you. It seems that as we are in Covid times they can only do emergency work which covers replacing the tank but no upgrades etc can be considered, so as a new tank is going in we will concentrate on repairing the rooms spoiled downstairs and then regroup, but it will give us time to do full research. Will definitely take on board your points.

Who is saying that they can't do a replacement with an upgrade for you? If they are going to be installing a new vented cylinder, then for the extra days work, I don't understand why they wouldn't install a new unvented one. For the extra £500-800 it will probably cost you, if would be worth your while finding someone else. It sounds like they are trying to get extra work out of you for doing a job twice.

I agree. There is no reason/rule which says emergency repairs only. People are still allowed to work at the moment, as long as that work can’t be done from home. We have tradesmen in, we just have to keep out of their way even more than usual.

Sorry, I didn’t explain. It’s all being done under British Gas home cover. Lots of the engineers are furloughed and the others are doing emergency work only. The one doing our repairs is lovely, can’t fault him, he would gain nothing personally from whatever we do. The house and
Pipes etc would need full surveying and probably upgrades to the existing pipes, taps etc which they can’t do now.
No doubt if we hired a private plumber they would consider it, but we need the leaky tank replaced now, and we are not paying for that as the insurance is.

@Milliways - our plumber has been upgrading pipes on and off for the last 6 months in preparation for the unvented cylinder. He wouldn’t do it the other way round as he was worried about leaks from the increased pressure. We have also upgraded the water supply to a larger pipe and most of the water pipes are now 22mm (decreasing to 15mm at each item). It’s probably cost around £5k to do this over several months. But since BG are doing yours and refusing to survey I would hope any other leaks are their issue?

BG are only replacing the same tanks as they are not allowed to do any surveying and upgrading. If we want to go ahead with an upgrade rest assured we would get a survey and any internal pipe upgrades done first. Was wanting feedback on the cost benefit ratio really. Maybe my OP was poorly worded (was a bit stressed with water ingressing).

I think the unvented cylinder seems to be the way to go. But you need decent water pressure coming in - hence us having to replace the connecting pipe