With the introduction of mains fed appliances like electric showers combination boilers and unvented cylinders, the importance of the main supply for both pressure (the force of water measured in bar or PSI) and flow rate, (the amount of water measured in litres or gallons) is paramount. A poor incoming main supply will cause pressure and flow fluctuations, poor performance and ultimately customer dissatisfaction. With high performance showers and the popularity of multi bathroom properties the demands are higher and the performance of the main supply to meet the demand often over looked. Pressure without flow rate will count for nothing.

The legal supply requirement from water undertakers is 1 bar and 9 litres at the water companies stop tap, which is often located at the metre, but this position can vary. It is not common to see pressure and flow readings this low, but it is common place to find poor flow rates with average pressures of around (2-3) bar, leading to pressure fluctuations and ultimately poor performance.

Accumulator technology is one way of over coming poor flow rates by storing cold mains water in a sealed vessel, increasing volume and stabilising pressures to combination boilers, unvented cylinders and much more.

Accumulators are not a new concept and have been used in many applications worldwide such as applications on ships, aircraft, farms as well as commercial pump sets. Using accumulator technology to help boost mains supplies is something GAH have been doing for over 10 years with its Coldstream range of accumulators and has a proven track record within the industry.