There are various kinds of hot water storage cylinders that you can choose from, and which one is best for you depends on several aspects. In this guide, we’ll explain all the crucial concepts you need to be aware of because the technical jargon can bewilder no matter your circumstances.

Unvented cylinders

This is a high-pressure system with a strong water flow because an unvented cylinder is connected directly to the main water supply. They can, therefore, be installed practically anyplace because they don’t need a separate cold-water tank and can be linked to the existing heating system’s pipes.

Stainless steel, which retains heat longer than other metals like copper, is typically used to make mains pressure hot water cylinders. Additionally, they usually last longer than copper does. Unvented cylinders are frequently used in conjunction with a system boiler, and one of their main benefits is that they save a ton of room because they don’t need an attic header tank.

Vented cylinders

This cylinder receives cold water from a feeder tank, another name for a cold-water tank kept in the loft. This implies that water is heated in the same manner and then fed to the water outputs via the pipework after being gravity-fed into the cylinder via a vented pipe. The vent line permits the safe condensing of any leftover water into the cold tank while allowing the water to expand as it enters the tank. The cylinder needs to be precisely beneath the cold-water tank because this system uses gravity to feed water to the tank.

Direct hot water cylinders

A direct hot water storage cylinder, often known as an immersion heater, can heat the water independently. These operate in a similar manner similar to the hot water kettle you’d find in practically any kitchen. They have a sizable heating element inside made of a metallic coil that, when heated by electrical energy, radiates heat to the water around it in the tank, heating the water inside.

When the water outlets, such as taps, are turned on, the water gets to them. Since immersion heaters typically need to be turned on for several hours before hot water is required, timers are frequently used.

Indirect hot water storage cylinders

Indirect cylinders heat the water from an outside source before storing it inside the cylinder. The cylinder receives the cold water from a water supply. This can be a separate water tank or directly fed water from the main water supply. Water from the boiler heats the water inside the indirect hot water cylinder by passing via a heat exchanger, which is often a metallic coil located in the storage tank.

After going through the coils to resume the procedure, the water then circulates back to the boiler. As the water circulates through the heat exchanger, the hot water remains at the top of the cylinder, closest to the home’s water pipe network outlet. The heat exchanger at the tank’s bottom receives the cold water.

Last words

Choose a hot water cylinder that matches your home’s hot water demands.