Combi boiler, where does my water come from?

Question

Hi I live in a block of 6 flats. 2 on the ground floor( me) 2 on the middle and 2 on the top( loft)
I have a combi boiler and I was just wondering If anyone knows where my water comes from?
Does it come from the mains? Which I presume is underground or does it come from a tank?
Any info would be great as apparently I'm stealing my neighbours water!!!!

Answer 1

combi heats water direct from the mains, no tanks required,

which is part of the "beauty" you can take away the water tank and gain space, or the other way of looking at it, no need to find space to install a big water tank

Answer 2

Yes it comes from the mains, is heated and delivered directly for use. It is not heated and stored in a hot water tank for later use. This is cheaper as the water is only heated as it is used, whereas water stored in a tank must be continuously heated.



The benefits of this method of heating water applies to when it's used for a house, where communication about who showers when is possible.



Your building probably has one for the whole building. Essentially instead of each apartment having it's own hot water heater you all essentially draw from the same source. When multiple people shower at the same time it taxes the boiler and water is not allowed the time to heat to the level desired.



Also a friend of mine had this method in her apartment. She said they each paid money towards one single water bill for the whole building. Those who used more than their allotted amount for the month (according to what they paid) would have everyone else pissed at them because even though they were the ones raising the bill, the bill was always divided equally amongst all the tenants. So those using less water had the same bill as those using the most water.



You should confer with your landlord on what the system they use actually is and it should explain why your neighbor is so pissed.

Answer 3

Assuming that the boiler has been installed correctly, the water comes from the mains.



If you each have your own water meter, it's possible that the rising main for one of the top floor flats passes through your flat and that whoever installed the boiler connected it to their pipe.



If you own the flat and you arranged for the boiler to be installed, the installer needs to come back and fit it correctly. This is a fundamental error and he could lose his certification. If you rent the flat, it's the landlord's problem.

Answer 4

It comes from the mains. And even if it came from a tank that tank would be filled from the mains. If you are stealing your neighbours water then there is an issue with the water meters or an isuue with the neighbour.

Answer 5

Your boiler and the others are each supplied from the mains water supply, if you have water meters you should each have one, and unless a plumber has cut into the wrong pipe you cannot steal anyone else's water. What are the reasons for suggesting this??

Answer 6

It's probably a tank for your hot, and the mains for your cold. A combi boiler only heats water for your taps and for the heating (combined / "combi")