I have a full-sized bath in my bathroom. The hot water is provided by an immersion tank. I've always found with these tanks that they never provide enough hot water for a proper bath. In winter you may get 6 inches. It's like war-time rationing! My home is very small so I'm thinking about getting rid of the bath altogether and just having an electric walk-in shower. It would save space and showeres are cheaper and healthier but are there any downsides re. value of property etc.? Your views will be most appreciated.

Have you thought about replacing the boiler and tank with a new combi? Much more energy efficient, hot water on demand and no need to get rid of the bath.

That's what I was going to say!

So far as having just the walk in shower - well it may affect value and I would think it would definitely affect saleability. Most people just expect a bath in the bathroom - even if they are not bath takers. It's ultimately up to you - if you're planning on being there for many years then you should fit it out exactly how you want it and not fret about value and saleability.

If, on the other hand, you think you will be wanting to sell in the next few years it is something to consider. The investment is probably best made on a new combi boiler instead.

Yes, we just failed to sell our dratted flat to the only people who have come to view because it has no dratted bath, only a dratted shower.*

* Replace 'dratted' with expletive of choice

Cheapest answer would be to upgrade the immersion tank to a larger one (assuming there is space). We have one which can provide a good bath and then some, we never run out of hot water. Cheaper and less disruptive than the other options - unless you do want to exchange it for a shower anyway.

Any buyer with children will want a bath...

quote:

Originally posted by velvet:
Cheapest answer would be to upgrade the immersion tank to a larger one (assuming there is space)

Indeed. A large immersion tank was fine for me too.

I had a well insulated modern one with a "long life" immersion (still going strong after six years). I left it always on and my bils were tiny.

Thanks for the replies. I should've said that I live in a 1 bed cottage without mains gas. It's not a place for families. There is very limited space for an immersion tank. There's no loft just the vaulted roof with exposed beams. The tank is currently suspended above the stairs, which is not ideal, and with no door to the bedroom it can be noisy when heating up at night. Ideally, I'd like to relocate it to the bathroom but as space is limited it would help to do away with the bath. Does anyone have a mains pressure thermal storage system? Can you recommend them? Are they quieter than immersion tanks?

Many thanks

quote:

mains pressure thermal storage system

I saw these once in a magazine. Aside from not requiring a header tank, I can't see any advantage and a lot more complications. You know, your existing HW cylinder might be OK, it might just be fitted with a short immersion heater that only heats the top of the water.
You can get short ones for a quick dollop of hot, long for a full tank of hot (takes longer to heat of course) and combination type that have both in the same assembly.

Hi Amy

What you want is an Unvented Water Heater, two of the best on the market are the Heatrae Sadia Megaflo and a Santon PremierPlus,you can get them from 70L up to 300L so you should get one to fit your needs. They are quite and have a 25 year gaurantee and you shouldn't have any trouble getting a plumber to fit one for you.

Regards

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Mark222:
Hi Amy
What you want is

I think what Amy wants is some impartial advice....