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Question about district heating system

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  • 06-01-2019 6:42pm
    #1
    Kieran01
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29 ✭


    Hello,

    Appreciate any advice on the following issue. I know nothing about plumbing so please excuse if I am not articulating myself well.

    1. I live in a complex with a district heating system. This means there are no boilers/water tanks in the apartment - all of the hot water is heated and pumped up from the basement.

    2. I don't know the ins and outs of it but it's great to have heating on demand

    3. The hot water is a different story. When I turn on the hot water taps for the shower and taps the water comes out PIPING HOT making it impossible to shower. It's not possible to mix it with the cold water because if I try adjust it by turning on cold tap it goes to cold instantly. There is no combination of the two taps that can give me an adequate temperature to shower.

    4. A friend of mine bought an apartment in the same block and rents it out. It's a known issue and the management company can fix it but it's €3.5k apparently to fix the part in the basement as it's so specialised. (Don't know ins and outs here)

    Question: Does anyone know if there's anything else I can do to remedy the situation here? I was thinking about maybe getting an electric shower installed to regulate temperature but would love to find a solution where I didn't have to fork out so much money. It takes me about 10 mins each morning rotating between hot and cold to wash.

    Appreciate in advance any help,

    K


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    #2
    esox28
    Registered Users Posts: 800 ✭✭✭esox28


    you should still be able to blend the hot and cold at source...have you tried slowing the flow of the shower right down and trying to get suitable temperature? can you cool temperature at rest of taps?
    the management co. couldn't leave supply temperature high would normally isolate hot supply for safety, if the issue is at their plant.


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    #3
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users Posts: 9,774 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    The problem is most likely that the water pressure on the two lines is different. The water pressure on the cold is greater than the hot.

    This type of valve might solve the problem. But you should get the advice of an actual plumber who has examined your situation. If the plumber can't advise I would consult a plumber's merchant and see what they say.

    https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/001a/0900766b8001acad.pdf

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Deva-PEV002-Thermostatic-Pressure-Equalising-Valve-With-Gold-Finish/2254762125

    How expensive this would be to fit will depend on how accessible the pipework is where it enters the property.


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    #4
    DGOBS
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 3,496 ✭✭✭DGOBS


    Plus you should install anti scald devices on every hot outlet


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    #5
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users Posts: 9,774 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    Would it make sense to install a thermostatic mixing valve in addition to the pressure equalizing valve where the water comes into the apartment?


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    #6
    esox28
    Registered Users Posts: 800 ✭✭✭esox28


    antoinolachtnai wrote:
    The problem is most likely that the water pressure on the two lines is different. The water pressure on the cold is greater than the hot.


    its a district heating plant, would more than likely have balanced hot / cold as supply as would be from the one pump set or commissioned to same or a 'Heat interface unit' for each apt. with sub - bending valves and meters

    nearly all new hp shower would have thermostatic cartridges. but if water coming into apt at 80*c thrmostatic shower may only blend to 55*c or cold.


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    #7
    hako
    Registered Users Posts: 26 ✭hako


    I've been looking all around to find prices of district heating scheme among the companies in Dublin. It seems there the prices are hidden all around. All I know is my provider (Kaizen) cos i'm getting and they unit prices given. Though I find them expensive compare to other market provider rates. I'm paying 0.085€ per unit charge and 0.685€ standing charge/day for the past 5 years. They have not changed the prices ever since and I wonder if I have the possibility to negotiate the prices or switch to another provider? Is this legal to keep me locked to one district heating provider all through my time spent in the same building?

    Would appreciate if anyone has an idea or suggestion.

    Thanks!


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