Hot Water Cylinders

Hot Water Cylinders

Hot water cylinders can be found in households up and down the country and investing in the right one for your home can have enormous benefits on your finances and lifestyle, as well as protecting the environment. For them to do this it is essential to ensure you select the right size, style and material for your hot water tank or cylinder.

That’s why we place such emphasis on customer service. We recognise that whilst some of you may have experience in the industry already, there are likely to be others who have very limited knowledge and may find the choice of products overwhelming. We take the time to advise you on precisely which hot water tank or cylinder would be most suitable for your needs. We even recommend that you take full advantage of our hot water cylinders size calculator. Through answering a few simple questions, the calculator can be used to determine the approximate size of the cylinder you need to be searching for.

We can’t stress enough the importance of finding the right sized hot water cylinder. Fitting a cylinder which is too large for its purpose will result in a loss of energy, due to an excess of heat being used, which in turn will have a negative impact on your energy bills, and in these economic times, every chance to save money is valuable. Hot water cylinders which are too small can have a similarly adverse effect, leading to hot water running out quickly, and of course the inevitable family arguments this entails!

As with all of our products, our hot water tanks and cylinders are built to last, with many carrying a 25 year guarantee. The majority of our cylinders are crafted using stainless steel, although other popular materials include copper. We take care to use only the strongest and most suitable materials for the task, which is why we’re trusted by so many.

Hot Water Tanks

Many customers looking to purchase a hot water cylinder may not be well versed in the differences between vented and unvented cylinders, but understanding the main differences between the two is vital in making the right decision. Your choice will depend on whether you have a direct or indirect system, or put more simply, how your mains water is fed into the system. An unvented water cylinder works directly from the mains water, whereas a vented hot water cylinder uses a vent pipe to allow it to be fed and stored in your cold water storage tank, where it is then distributed to different appliances around the home.

Some may opt for unvented cylinders because they provide hot water constantly, without the need to rely on cold water storage tanks and extra pipework, whilst some may be attracted to vented cylinders because they are often less expensive to buy and install. Both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages but by carefully analysing your circumstances you can be sure to make a long lasting investment that could make your life easier whilst having a positive impact on your bank balance.

Despite the quality of our products and service, we never compromise on price. Our deals are unbeatable and thanks to our fast delivery service, your hot water tanks and cylinders can be enjoyed sooner than you’d expect.

Hot Water Cylinders - Explained

A hot water cylinder is essentially a large tank that is used to store hot water for domestic or commercial use. If a hot water cylinder is properly insulated then it can retain heat for very long periods of time.The more thermal insulation that a hot water cylinder has then generally the better, as it significantly reduces any standby heat loss. This is when heat is lost through poor insulation.

When it comes to a hot water cylinder the most common type of insulation blanket is made from fibreglass with a vinyl coating. It is wrapped around the cylinder with the ends taped together. It is very important that the insulation blanket is the right size and correctly fitted to the hot water cylinder as it should not block any air flow or drainage valves. This would be dangerous due to the amount of water pressure within a hot water cylinder.

Copper has traditionally been the material of choice when constructing hot water cylinders. However, stainless steel has become increasingly popular in the production of hot water cylinders.

Stainless steel is found more commonly with unvented hot water cylinders, this is due to the immense water pressure within the cylinder. One of stainless steels properties is that it is much stronger than copper, thus meaning that with stainless steel the wall of the hot water cylinder can be thinner, leading to a greater storage capacity. 

The difference between a vented and unvented hot water cylinder is that a vented cylinder is connected to a header tank, which is generally found in your loft. An unvented cylinder does not have any such vent connecting it to a header tank, it is fed from the mains, meaning that it works at mains pressure. This generally meaning nice high pressured showers. A disadvantage of unvented cylinders is that you have no back-up water supply, if your mains water supply is ever cut off for any reason.

With the added pressure that comes with an unvented hot water cylinder it is imperative that you get a professional to fit it for you as some cases have gone as far as the cylinder exploding from the water pressure inside it.

Hot water storage units are generally found in an airing, or are installed to fit this brief. With the warmth that is radiated from the cylinder it is a great way of keeping your towels and bed sheets lovely and warm. It is also great for drying off damp clothes that have come straight from the wash.

A hot water cylinder is a fantastic way for you to instantaneously enjoy a wonderfully pressurised, warm shower, a delightful soak in the tub or even just for you to get that pile of washing up done nice and quickly.