boilers & cylinders
“With heat loss performance such a critical factor these days, the insulation features of hot water cylinders become an increasingly important differentiator. The highest grade insulation materials and insulation thickness, can dramatically reduce heat loss over a 24 hour period, as does insulating the top of the cylinder where the hottest water is stored”
about underlining the importance of calculating demand patterns, in terms of quantity and frequency, when specifying a new or replacement plumbing system. Hot water storage continues to be an integral part of modern day hot water system design, reinforced by a developing renewable energy market which requires stored hot water to harvest the energy and bank it for later use. A system boiler and indirect unvented hot water cylinder has significant ‘green’ credentials. The stored hot water can also be kept hot if necessary by an immersion heater, a sec- ondary direct power source, in the vent of a boiler breakdown. It is, of course, not difficult to see the attraction of combi boilers when it comes to space and ease of installation but for family households with regular hot water demand, specifications should look at unvented hot water cylinders to provide the required hot water volumes and flow rates, often more economically. With heat loss performance such a critical factor
these days, the insulation features of hot water cylinders become an increasingly important differentiator. The highest grade insulation
materials and insulation thickness, can dramatically reduce heat loss over a 24 hour period, as does insulating the top of the cylinder where the hottest water is stored. Side positioning of the hot water outlet allows this and better design integration of the immersion heater and wiring centre will further improve energy efficiency at points which traditionally lose heat. Extensive pipework is also a potential inefficiency so easy plumbing connections will make a considerable difference, not least for access and servicing. An internal air gap device not only improves thermal efficiency and reduces heat loss but also does away with the need to fit a separate, space hungry expansion vessel. As the energy efficiency of homes in the UK
continues to improve, cylinder insulation ranks as one of the most important developments in the reduction in energy use. Design and material innovation from cylinder manufacturers may well contribute to better SAP scores, which is a good thing, but user education on energy wastage from heating water will also go a long way to improve comfort and reduce bills.
Insulation thickness is becoming a key factor in heat loss performance
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM March 2016 | 29
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