Get the Pressure Up – Install an Unvented Cylinder
We all know the feeling, you are enjoying a hot shower when suddenly a cold flow of water hits you, meaning your partner or child has turned on the water tap in the other bathroom or kitchen. This unpleasant experience is slowly becoming a thing of the past with the uptake of unvented hot water systems which provide steady and reliable hot water pressure, which is equal to the cold water mains pressure (provided by the local water company). Unvented systems are very popular in many other countries and have many benefits, including a good hot water pressure (solving the problem of no pressure in the top floor showers) and eliminating the need for header tanks in the loft.
With many new houses now boasting two or more bathrooms, along with an impressive array of systems that use hot water (Jacuzzi, jet shower), users do not accept a system that cannot cope with the hot water demands of modern life. With long working hours, time in the home is valuable and people these days do not want to wait for the hot water, nor do they accept a trickle form the hot water shower. An unvented cylinder and central heating system is the answer, providing virtually unlimited volume of hot water, in a convenient pressure for the shower or any other domestic use.
Unvented cylinders are made of metals that can be broadly grouped into the following three groups: copper, stainless steel and sheet metal. All three are reliable and used around the world. They naturally differ and have unique advantages and disadvantages.
* Copper tanks – their price has rocketed in recent years following the commodity’s sharp price rises. Copper tanks are relatively light and easy to maneuver into the house. However, they are less effective at heat retention and suffer from heat loss unless covered with a very thick insulation.
* Stainless steel cylinders – provide middle ground in terms of heat retention and weight, compared to copper and sheet metal. They are the most expensive type, but offer the longest lifetime guarantee (normally around 20-25 years).
* Sheet metal cylinders – the most popular type in most European countries and the cheapest of the three. Inner enamel glazing ensures virtually no build up of scale. They provide the highest heat retention performance of the three, but also are the heaviest.
When making your selection of the unvented hot water cylinder, there are several important points to pay attention to:
* Volume and dimension of the cylinder – there is a wide variety of unvented cylinders sold in the UK. A typical household of 4-5 people would be well served by a 200 liter cylinder. It is also important to check that the cylinder would fit into the airing cupboard (replacing the existing cylinder).
* Heat retention performance – since the main purpose of a hot water tank is to retain the water inside hot, it is important to check the heat loss score of the tank. A good tank loses less than 3 kW per 24 hours).
* Warranty and after-service – unvented hot water cylinders have good record of long life and little in the way of faults. Nevertheless it is important to check what warranty and service you get from the manufacturer.
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