While installers will be very familiar with the hot water cylinder, the popularity of combi boilers has led to a reduction in the number of installations over the years. As a result, some householders may be unaware of their role in delivering high performance and efficient hot water. 

Now, however, that trend is likely to be reversed as the uptake of heat pumps increases and hot water cylinders become part of the low carbon heating solution. With this return, now really is the time to make customers aware of the benefits of hot water cylinders. 

Servicing misconceptions

In larger properties, hot water cylinders play an important role in providing a consistently strong flow rate to multiple hot water outlets, and supplying a backup provision of hot water. But as the industry transitions towards renewable heating technologies like air source heat pumps, the hot water cylinder will likely return as an important mainstay within the home. 

Something that customers should be reminded of when installing a hot water cylinder is the importance of regular servicing. The importance of boiler servicing is frequently discussed, but reminding homeowners of servicing requirements for unvented cylinders is just as important. 

First, maintaining an attentive approach to servicing will ensure that the risk of unexpected repair or replacement costs further down the line are kept to a minimum, and that the cylinder is safe to operate.

In addition, just as with a boiler, both the longevity of a hot water cylinder and the lengthy manufacturer warranty will often be linked directly to the requirement of regular servicing. 

Many homeowners may think that there is nothing to servicing a cylinder. However, regular maintenance will ensure that the three tiers of safety are operating correctly, providing peace of mind for customers while maintaining efficient operation. 

The three tiers of safety encompass: control stat (how hot the water comes out), energy cut-out (overheat stat), and temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P). Some customers may be concerned with pressure, water leaks, and limescale build-up, but following this three-tier principle will control the heat and control the risk. 

The basic servicing checklist for cylinders is as follows:

1. Inspection
2. Strainer cleaning
3. Descaling immersion heater(s)
4. Expansion volume recharge
5. Re-commissioning.

Full servicing instructions can be found in the installation document of the cylinder. However, it is a good idea to discuss with homeowners the fundamental reasons for servicing to encourage them to book a regular service. 

Factors for consideration

While installers can raise awareness and share their industry expertise with homeowners, having the data to back up that advice is always helpful. So, what should customers be looking for in a hot water cylinder?

High-performance coil heat exchangers in cylinders such as Megaflo Eco 2, for example, deliver exceptional recovery times, providing quick provision of hot water for homes with higher demand. 

Homeowners may also want to understand the reasons why their installer might choose a particular size of cylinder for their property – especially given the cost-of-living crisis. 

Being equipped with some basic data will allow engineers to deliver the best advice for customers on a call-out. For example, how many people live at the property? How many showers and baths are there? How many could be running at one time? 

Applying this data to real-life scenarios can also be a helpful way for installers to make often complex technical information more easily understandable. For example, it might be useful to explain how many litres per minute of hot water the appliance needs to deliver for powerful showers and faster filling baths.

Another factor to consider is the level of insulation that a hot water cylinder has, since this will improve its energy efficiency and, in turn, have a bearing on energy bills. Installers can assure their customers that their hot water cylinder is retaining a good level of heat for their hot water needs throughout the day, thus saving energy. 

Ultimately, installers are now, more than ever before, seen as a trusted advisor for all their customers’ heating queries. Whether it’s for reassurance around energy consumption or questions about changing a heating source, installers can raise the profile of hot water cylinders with homeowners as a holistic solution to a number of heating dilemmas.