Are you wondering if you need a high pressure unvented cylinder for your home?
If your old boiler just isn’t up to the job of meeting your home’s high hot water demand, and you long for the day when you can fill a bath quickly or have two showers running at once, you’ve probably started researching other options.
If so, you’ve probably already heard of unvented cylinders. After all, they can be a great option for providing you with all the hot water you need.
But how do you know a high pressure unvented cylinder is going to be the right choice for you?
Well, below I’m going to use my 20+ years of experience as a heating engineer to tell you three of the biggest reasons why a high pressure unvented cylinder might be ideal.
What is a high pressure unvented cylinder and what does it do?
An unvented cylinder is a very efficient hot water storage system allowing you to store and distribute hot water throughout your home – at mains pressure! This is what makes it a high pressure system.
These systems were originally introduced in 1986, and people soon cottoned on to the benefits. For instance, they’re fantastic for larger homes and families that need lashings of hot water.
So, you’ll really notice the difference in the flow rate to your taps!
TIP: You can read more about exactly how high pressure unvented cylinders work elsewhere on my blog.
1. You have an old combi boiler that struggles to fill a bath
The first reason you might be considering an high pressure unvented cylinder is that you have an old combi boiler. Perhaps you think it’s being slow, or just not up to the job of filling a bath or running two showers at once.
In which case, a system boiler with unvented cylinder could be the solution to all your problems.
TIP: A storage combi could be another option. I’ve compared the two in my blog post ‘Boiler Fights: System Boiler with Unvented Cylinder vs Storage Combi’.
2. You have a regular boiler with a tired old hot water tank
The second reason, is if you have an old regular boiler with an equally old hot water tank and no insulation, plus a galvanised steel tank in the attic.
This can be replaced with a high efficiency regular or system boiler, and the tank changed to an unvented cylinder. That way the cold water can be drained and removed.
3. You’re making home improvements and need a better flow rate
And the third reason? Well, you could be building into the attic of your home and are looking to gain space. You may also be planning an extension, which means your old combi boiler is no longer practical.
In this case, a system boiler with unvented cylinder could again be your best solution. And you can have plenty of choice as to where to fit it, as it doesn’t have to be connected to a storage tank in the attic! The old cold water storage tank can be drained and removed giving more space when converting your attic.
Always get advice from an experienced engineer first
It’s a great idea to do your initial research online to get a better idea of what you might need. However, it’s vital that you get a qualified, experienced engineer to do a home visit to go over your options. You don’t want to end up fitting something that’s too large, as it will only waste energy.
You also don’t want to get a high pressure unvented cylinder that’s too small to fulfill your needs.
I’ve personally fitted many unvented cylinders over the years, and never known a customer disappointed. However, a few people I’ve visited were ready to choose one larger than their needs, which meant they were storing and heating more water than necessary – and using more energy than necessary, too!
Finally, always go for a good, well-known brand that comes with a 25-year guarantee. And ensure your engineer checks there’s a 22mm cold water mains supply coming into your property to feed the tank.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful when deciding whether or not you need a high pressure unvented cylinder. Remember, always get advice from an experienced engineer BEFORE you buy.
Are you looking for some extra advice to help you decide? Feel free to leave a comment below, or get in touch with me directly. I’ll do my best to help!
