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Last Updated: Monday, 12th February 2024

Flowflex In Line Micro Pump - Review

Some pumps will power a whole block of flats, others are designed to give you a great shower. If you're after the latter, the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump is the simplest way for you to create a perfect shower and we'll explain why here.

Overview

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump is a unique, compact micro-pump, which can deliver up to 1.1 Bar of pressure; all you need for a great shower.

It also benefits from the following features:

  • It's cheaper than competing pumps,

  • At 50 Db, it's super quiet, comparable to light rain,

  • It can deliver up to 9 L/min of flow,

  • It is energy efficient, using a fraction of the energy of other pumps,

  • It is WRAS approved,

  • It works in positive head and negative head,

  • It works on 22mm and 15mm pipe,

  • It can be legally fitted on your mains inlet to boost your entire home,

  • It can be fitted before and after your Combi Boiler,

  • It can be installed by any DIY enthusiast or professional installer,

  • It plugs into any household socket.

Over the course of this article, we'll keep reviewing the main features set out above. However, if the above already ticks your boxes, then head over to our Flowflex In Line Micro Pump to check out the latest deal available to you now.

More on the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump

Easy Installation

Installing the Flowflex Inline Micro Pump is easy business. Any DIY enthusiast can do it themselves, or call on a professional.

All you need to do is remove 115mm of pipe, replace it with the In Line Micro Pump and tighten the compression joints. Finally, plug the power source into a household socket, or wire it directly into the mains if you're feeling adventurous.

Quiet Operation

The In Line Micro Pump is made using high quality brass parts in the main body, with highly durable plastic around the motor. This design reduces vibrations and enables the pump to operate very quietly. Measured at 50 Db from 0.1 metres away, the pump makes the same level of noise as light rain.

Use with 15mm and 22mm pipes

Some other pumps are only designed for use with 22mm pipes, but the In Line Micro Pump comes with a 22mm x 15mm reducing set in the box, meaning it can be used on both 15mm and 22mm pipework.

Single or Double Boost?

Like other pumps that come as single or twin impeller variations, the In Line Micro Pump also has the capability to boost one or two feeds. In order to do what other pumps call "twin impeller" functionality, the In Line Micro Pump needs to be connected to another as a pair, using wires provided in the box, which allows them to act in unison.

To understand which variation you need, you can follow this short guide below:

Single Feed Boosting

Looking to boost a single feed only? Opt for the Single In Line Micro Pump.

If you need a more substantial boost on the same feed, you may want to choose the Automatic and Manual Pack:

Double Feed Boosting

If you're looking to boot/balance both the Gravity Hot and Gravity Cold feeds, you will need the Double Automatic Pack:

Applications

Use in Positive and Negative Head situations

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump is a universal pump meaning it can be used in positive and negative head situations.

In automatic mode, the pump will be triggered by water flowing at 1.5 L/min (a very low flow rate). So in all positive head situations, and most negative head situations, the In Line Micro Pump pump will work perfectly.

If you're in big trouble and have a flow rate lower than this, there is an option to bypass the automatic setting and have the pump running continuously on manual, ready for any flow rate.

Which one do I need for positive head situations?

If you're in positive head with low pressure, consider the following options:

Which one do I need for negative head situations?

  • In most negative head situations you will be looking to boost a very low pressure hot feed only. In this case, a double boost on this feed is your best bet, so check out the Automatic and Manual Pack.

  • If you don't need that much of a boost, you can explore putting just one pump on the hot feed, so a single In Line Micro Pump is the one for you.

  • If your cold feed is also in negative head, in most cases this means you will be boosting both the hot and cold feeds, so you should consider the Double Automatic Pack.

Legally pumping from the mains inlet

UK Water regulations state that a pump can only be fitted to the mains inlet if it does not exceed 12 L/min. The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump has a maximum flow rate of 9 L/min, making it perfect for as a whole house solution directly off the mains inlet.

Compatibility with Electric Showers

All electric showers need an incoming cold water pressure above 0.8 Bar, otherwise the electric shower will switch off heating elements and you will be left with a cold shower or boiling hot water.

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump will increase the pressure and flow rates to stop this from happening. As with the common advice above, if you find your flow rates are so low that one pump doesn't do the job, upgrading to the Automatic and Manual Pack will get you the boost you need.

Compatibility with Combi Boilers

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump advises that it can be used before or after a Combi boiler. Before to boost the entire home, or after to support up to 3 underperforming taps and showers.

Compatibility with Fortic and Close Coupled Tanks

The Automatic and Manual Pack can be used to give a double boost to the hot output of a Fortic & Close Coupled Tank. The Double Automatic Pack can be used to boost both the Hot & Cold outputs.

Compatibility with Unvented Tanks

The Automatic and Manual Pack can be used to give a whole house solution if you have an unvented tank. You can either install two pumps before the cylinder, two pumps after the cylinder, or a pump before and after cylinder.

The Double Automatic Pack can be used to give a protected flow solution if you have an unvented tank. Two pumps installed on the hot & cold feeds to a specific outlet will help protect the flow rate and avoid fluctuations in water temperature.

Compatibility with Hot Water Recirculation

In some larger homes hot water circulation is usually driven by single impeller pump. It is often difficult to increase the flow rate and pressure as a more powerful pump would just speed up the recirculation. The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump can be fitted in line with the existing recirculation pump to provide a high pressure boost.

Ready To Try?

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump comes with a no quibbles 30 days returns period, even if you've installed it. That's how confident the guys at Flowflex are that you'll like their Pump.

Head over to our Flowflex In Line Micro Pump page now to check out the latest deal available to you.

Frequently asked questions

Which Flowflex In Line Micro Pump do I need?

Do you only need to boost one feed? Go for the Single In Line Micro Pump. Do you need a bigger boost on the same feed? Go for the Automatic and Manual Pack. Are you looking to balance your Gravity Hot and Gravity Cold feeds? Go for the Double Automatic Pack.

Can I use the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump to pump directly from the mains?

Yes. UK Water regulations state that a pump can only be fitted to the mains inlet if it does not exceed 12 L/min. The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump has a maximum flow rate of 9 L/min, making it perfect for use as a whole house solution directly off the mains inlet.

Can I use the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump to pump with a Combi Boiler?

The Flowflex In Line Micro Pump can be used before or after a Combi boiler. Before installation to boost the entire home, or after installation to support up to 3 underperforming taps and showers.

Does the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump work with an Unvented Tank?

The Automatic and Manual Pack of the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump can be used to provide a whole house solution if you have an unvented tank. You have the option to install two pumps before the cylinder, two pumps after the cylinder, or a pump both before and after the cylinder.

Is the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump compatible with Fortic and Close Coupled Tanks?

The Automatic and Manual Pack of the Flowflex In Line Micro Pump can be used to give a double boost to the hot output of a Fortic & Close Coupled Tank. Alternatively, the Double Automatic Pack can be utilized to boost both the Hot & Cold outputs.

Any more questions?

If you have any queries or questions about the products we sell, or even your next project, give us a shout! We'll try our best to give you a hand.