Accumulators replace break tanks in Headley, Surrey
December 3rd, 2008
Our client in Headley, Surrey had two large open tanks in their basement boiler room, equipped with two Stuart Turner whole house pumps.
Like many houses in the UK, they had found that their pressurised hot and cold water system (using a pair of existing Megaflo cylinders) could not deliver two bathrooms worth of usable water at the same time.
So they installed the break tank system, which trickle fills an open tank from the mains, and when a tap is opened, one of the two pumps starts. This is the old fashioned way of doing things, and it has a few problems.
First problem is, when there is a power cut you don’t get any water. You have to go into the cellar and turn some valves to bypass the tank. When the power comes back on, it’s back down the cellar to turn the water supply via the tanks again.
Second problem is, the tank is atmospherically open, leading to potential contamination and stagnation issues. Particularly as the location tended to be quite warm most of the year.
HWCH were aproached for a better solution, even though the original had only been in place for a few years.
We removed the break tanks and pumps, plus associated bypass valves, power wiring etc and replaced them with two 500 litre accumulators. These devices store water at static pressure and them provide high flowrates when needed.
Our customer was sceptical that the two unpowered, unpumped accumulators could be anywhere near as effective as their two large noisy pumps and the tanks.
So we offered to fit them at our risk, and remove them if they didn’t work, at no cost!
Our customer thanks that the new system works at least as well as the break tank solution. But importantly, it takes up less room, works regardless in a power cut, is completely silent, needs virtaully no maintenance, and the water is clean and pure (being sealed to the atmosphere).
Another problem solved.
If you have a low pressure or flow problem, break tanks and pumps are not usually the ideal solution. Call us for free advice.
