♦      Low Pressure hot water is significantly less pressure then a mains pressure system, (over 5 x less) giving poor performance, particularly in showers. It can usually only support one hot water tap at a time.

♦     Mains Pressure is fitted in all new homes today and can support use of 2 hot water taps at 1 time.
Note: There are still often pressure/temperature fluctuations when a second tap is opened, this is not uncommon and often due to the building water piping not the hot water system.

♦     Low Pressure usually has a large deference in pressures at the taps between the hot and the cold. This can make it hard to find a warm point on some mixing taps, especially ones designed for mains pressure.

♦      Mains Pressure the hot and cold water are the same or close to the same pressures so it is easier to find the warm position on most mixing taps.

♦      Low Pressure. Some new taps cannot work on low pressure hot water. (This is an important consideration for future renovation work as good low pressure tapware is harder to find and considerably more expensive)

♦      Mains Pressure. All new taps can work on mains pressure hot water.

♦      Low Pressure hot water is outdated and in most cases existing systems do not have a temperature control valve (Tempering valve). The water will be delivered to the tap at the temperature stored inside the tank. (A minimum of 60 degrees) This will cause burning a lot quicker than water delivered at a lower temperature.
Note: Hot water needs to be stored at a minimum of 60 degrees to decrease the risk of Legionella bacteria growing in the tank.

♦      Mains Pressure systems installed by us have a form of temperature control (Tempering valve or gas water heater pre-set temperature) meaning the water is delivered to the tap at the temperature set. (Usually about 50-55 degrees) Any stored water will still be over the 60 degrees required.

♦     When upgrading from low pressure to mains pressure you will use more hot water effecting your energy/water consumption even if the new system is more efficient then your old low pressure system. (This is the price you pay for a reasonable shower:) We can install flow restrictors on some showers if the flow is much greater than required at no extra cost. The pressure valves we use are also adjustable so the hot water pressure can be reduced if required.