Replacing your hot/cold water pump

You have a number of possibilities:

1. Replace your old pump and pressure cylinder with a new one. The assembly comprises of: a Grundfos CH2-30 pump (the black unit which sits on top of the blue cylinder), a blue Grundfos pressure vessel and a pressure switch (the bit with the wires attached). The original size Grundfos pressure vessels are no longer manufactured but Lowara (Italy) make an 18litre vessel which has similar dimensions to the original (as seen on the right) and works just as well. There are two companies which can do the work for you:

Cougar Industries: Contact there is Paul Lawrence (General Manager) 01442 860021. Mention Greenland Passage and my name (Bob Muid) so that he knows the system you're talking about. They fitted the unit shown above and now know the problems involved with our systems. Make sure you get a quote as they are based in Hertfordshire and charge travelling time. Full contact details below.

CCD Pumps: 020 7639 4864 Based in SE15 they service the mains-water booster pumps in King Frederik IX Tower. They also fit and service Grundfos pumps but as far as I know haven't done any replacement units on the development yet. They may give a cheaper quote but possibly take longer to do the job than Cougar as they have no experience of our system yet (as far as I know). We'd welcome feedback from residents on these two companies. Full contact details below.

Grundfos recommend that the pressure vessel should be pre-charged to 0.9bar and the pressure switch set to 1 bar cut-in and 2 bar cut-out.

2. Replace your old pump and pressure cylinder with a new electronically controlled one.

Instead of the pump just cutting in and out, an electronic control varies the speed of the pump so that the pressure is kept constant rather than going up and down as vigorously as the current systems do. In theory this should stop the 'bang' when the pump stops. I say in theory since nobody yet has had such a system fitted.
Cougar have offered such a system for £732 + VAT and fitting (likely to be a few hundred pounds for fitting). Details are: Pump type CEAM 70-5, Inverter drive type HV1.1, 8 litre pressure vessel, 1" non-return valve, 5-way Tee, 1" hex nipple, 450mm braided hose, 0-6 bar pressure gauge c/w socket. Contact: Cougar Industries - Tony Sheppard 01442 860000

3. Replace the entire system.

One member of the board has had their system completely replaced, more than a year ago, by Mick Pimm (07973 512 195) and they are very satisfied. It is a direct pressure system which allows mains water directly to the tank and outlets and provides an excellent power shower. Disadvantages are that if there are any likely leak sources the high water pressure finds them out - places to watch out for are the refill valves in the toilet systems. Also the joints of the flexible pipes at baths and sinks are subject to leakage if they are weak.
"It was a favourable price and although he sometimes needs chasing we found him to be very straight, very knowledgeable, a fast tidy worker, and very fair, but we appreciate that not everyone else need necessarily share that opinion. We are very happy with our new system.