Table of Contents
What is the best vented hot water cylinder?
Vented Hot Water Cylinders are fed with water by using a cold water tank as their source of water supply. The cold water tank is usually located in the loft space of your house. Another name which they are known by is ‘gravity fed water systems’. They rely on gravity to have a powerful water pressure. In addition to being a cheaper alternative to other hot water systems, they are also the most traditional system for households.
How do vented hot water cylinders work?
A vented hot water cylinder needs to be supplied with water by a big tank of cold water that can be kept in the loft. Gravity is essential for the operation of this system. Water will be carried by the natural pull of gravity via a vent pipe down to the hot water cylinder whose job is to heat the water.
Since vented hot water cylinders rely on gravity, the height of the cold water tank can determine the level of pressure your system can achieve. The greater the height, the more powerful the water pressure will be. That’s why it is important to place the cold water tank in the loft space of your house.
When the water is heated, it expands. Both the vent pipe and the tank in the loft offer an escape route for the excess, which is resulted from the expansion of hot water. There are two ways to heat the cold water. The first one is done by the use of an immersion heater within the hot water cylinder. The second way is achieved by the use of central heating.
Read more: Unvented Hot Water Cylinder Replacement
What are the advantages of vented hot water cylinders?
● Vented hot water cylinders are usually cheaper to install and they require low maintenance as well.
● They are not affected by a low mains pressure since they are supplied from a cold water tank.
● They are compatible with all types of water outlets. This includes modern power showers and mixers, too.
● They can provide hot water even when the mains supply is cut off due to having a cold water tank to rely on.
● A ‘like for like’ swap is possible, which makes replacement an easy task.
● They are able to supply several outlets at the same time without having an effect on pressure.
What are the disadvantages of vented hot water cylinders?
● The stored water can be easily contaminated due to the fact that the cold water storage tank is open at the top.
● The height of the cold water tank will determine the level of pressure produced because of the system’s reliance on gravity.
● A lot of space can be taken in order to place the cold water storage tank. So it is not a good option for homes with limited space.
● The hot water pressure can be lower for upstairs taps and showers. You may require an additional pump to boost the rate of water flow to your upstairs outlets.
Read about: Unvented Hot Water Cylinders
When can I tell if I need a new vented hot water cylinder?
The lifespan of a vented hot water cylinder is generally over 30 years when they are installed correctly by a professional. An evident sign that your vented cylinder needs replacing is when there is leaking. A leaking cylinder is not to be taken lightly as it can cause serious damage to your property. You can check for damp patches and spots around your cylinder to make sure that there’s no leaking taking place.
Types of vented hot water cylinders
The capacity of hot water cylinders varies between 90 and 400 litres for domestic supply. They come in different types such as: copper open vented cylinders, stainless steel open vented cylinders, solar open vented cylinders and combination cylinders. Contact us to know more about Vented Hot Water Cylinders.
Read more: Vented Hot Water Cylinder Replacement in Cardiff
Regular Boilers and how does it works
FAQs
What is the difference between a vented and unvented hot water cylinder?
The major difference between a vented and unvented water storage cylinder is that an unvented hot water cylinder takes its water supply directly from the mains. You can get hot water out of an unvented cylinder at a much better pressure than a traditional vented cylinder as it is pressurised. While a vented system would take its water supply from a cold water tank, which is located in your loft.
Do vented cylinders need servicing?
Having your cylinder serviced yearly ensures that build-up is kept to a minimum and maximises your efficiency and savings.
How long does a vented cylinder last?
Vented hot water cylinders typically have a minimum 25 year guarantee but can last longer if maintained well. Your boiler engineer will be able to carry out comprehensive checks for you to see if the hot water tank needs replacing or if they are working fine.
Can you replace a vented cylinder with an unvented cylinder?
Changing from a vented to unvented heating system can offer the following benefits: Take up less space as there’s no need for a water tank in the loft. More flexibility in terms of where the cylinder can be installed as it’s being fed water from the mains rather than a cold water tank.