Ken Vance, Training Manager at Salamander Pumps, provides a step by step guide to installing HomeBoost.
In a study by Salamander Pumps, 40% of households reported that low water pressure has an impact on their day-to-day lives.
There are simple solutions on the market that plumbers can install to boost a home’s mains water performance. One of these solutions is Salamander Pumps’ HomeBoost – an intelligent, inline pump which will boost mains water flow up to the legally allowed limit of 12l/min.
Fitted directly onto the home’s incoming mains supply, the HomeBoost pump recognises when flow is low, and quietly boosts the performance of incoming mains water.
HomeBoost has two separate applications. The first is for use on the incoming domestic cold water mains supply, and the second is directly on the combi-boiler cold water inlet.
HomeBoost should be installed on the cold water mains supply to the house, after the mains stop tap or on the combi boiler inlet, depending on the installation.
You can install HomeBoost horizontally or vertically but never upside down. It should also be installed in a position where there is adequate air flow to cool the motor and separated from any other appliances that generate heat, and where it is protected from frost damage.
Installation
Begin your installation by unboxing the pump and reading the installation guide; this is key to avoiding common installation pitfalls. You can now begin to install the pump, here is how to do it in 8 steps….
Turn off the mains
Make sure to turn off the mains water supply at the stop tap and drain down the system.
Cut the pipe
Next, cut and remove a section of the pipe. The size of this section will depend on your method of connection.
Attach fittings
The HomeBoost Fittings Kit is also available and includes 22/15mm isolation pump connectors, outlet flash washers, and inlet filter washers, which should be fitted as per the picture below;
Connect the pump
Now, you can introduce the HomeBoost pump into its location and gently connect it to the pipework.
Turn the mains water on
Switch the mains water back on at the stop tap.
Run the tap
With the HomeBoost installed, you will then need to open the isolation valves, checking for any leaks as you go.
Flush the inlet pipework and fully fill the pump with water by opening all the water outlets before electrically switching the pump on. It is critical to discharge water through all the cold outlets on a whole house application and all the hot outlets for a combi boiler boost application, using natural flow before switching the pump on electrically. This will ensure that the air has been discharged from the connecting pipe work and pump chamber.
Plug the pump in
Once you have ensured all air is purged from the system, checked for natural flow on the cold outlets, and inspected for any leaks, you can now plug in the the pump or connect it to a fused spur.
Check for the green light
The pump should now be displaying a steady green light, indicating that the installation is complete.
