Hot Water Pressure Problems? Unvented Tanks Are the Solution
May 15, 2010 / by Barry Reynolds
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.
There are three main groups of materials that are used in the manufacturing of unvented cylinders. Each of these has their respective advantages and disadvantages. The three types of materials are copper, Stainless Steel and sheet metal.
* Copper cylinders – the lightest material, and used to be relatively cheap until the recent sharp increase of the commodity prices of copper. Still they are very popular in the UK, despite having the lowest heat retention properties of the three.
* 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.
There are several important parameters to remember when choosing your unvented hot water cylinder:
* Volume and external dimensions – a typical household (4-5 people) in the UK will require a 200 liter cylinder. However, the cylinders come in different shapes and dimensions. Make sure to check the width and height of the cylinder, so that it fits in the airing cupboard (or any other space you plan to position the tank in).
* Heat retention properties – check the heat loss specifications of the cylinder. A good cylinder will lose very little heat (e.g. less than 3 kW per 24 hours). This will reduce energy wastage and cut your heating bills.
* 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.
Tal Potishman, editor of Heating Central, writes content about central heating, Wimbledon plumbers, boilers, underfloor heating and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
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