VIEWPOINT
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST
CYLINDER TECHNOLOGY Rob Pearse, residential business director at Baxi
CYLINDERS ARE A familiar part of the merchant stock list. However, the technology behind them has developed considerably in recent years and the applications they serve are changing alongside it. The rise of the combi boiler meant reduced demand for stored hot water in UK homes, but that norm has shifted, largely due to the growth of low-carbon heating systems such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs). As more homeowners want cylinders as part of their systems, knowledge of the latest solutions is becoming a more valuable part of what merchants can offer at the trade counter.
There is a strong commercial opportunity here. Many
installations, including the growing heat pump market, involve cylinders, so merchants who take advantage of manufacturer training are able to offer knowledgeable advice, making them well placed to benefit from this growing demand.
Changing specification Heat pumps typically deliver water to the cylinder at a lower temperature than a boiler, so cylinder technology has evolved to allow for this.
Cylinders built for heat pump applications use a heat exchanger with a much larger surface area. A good example is the Megaflo Essential ASHP cylinder. Designed for use with residential heat pumps, it features twin immersion heaters and a secondary return connection to support faster delivery and more consistent performance.
For merchants, the message worth relaying to installers is that on a heat pump project, a standard indirect cylinder is not a substitute for a specialised product.
A reliable hot water source is what homeowners expect. A cylinder that recovers slowly will draw complaints regardless of what the heat pump itself is doing. For example, fitting a standard indirect cylinder to a heat pump system will not deliver the same quality of outcome and the installer will be the first to pick up these calls. If merchants can support the installer at time of purchase, some of these challenges can be eradicated.
Space factors
It’s not just ASHP cylinders that can raise issues. Modern homes rarely have much room to spare, and airing cupboards are certainly smaller than they once were. The more components needed alongside the cylinder, the greater the challenge.
Traditional unvented cylinders require a separate expansion vessel. That takes up space, adds time to the installation and leaves the installer with another component to maintain. Internal expansion removes this requirement by building the function into the cylinder itself. Megaflo pioneered this approach, and the enhanced internal expansion system which is now used across selected direct and indirect models continues to develop it.
Where an installer is working in a tight space or looking to reduce time on site, this is an important feature merchants can offer. Heat pumps are the most visible driver for the latest generation of cylinders, though not the only one. Solar PV continues to feature in domestic installations, and the cylinder has an important role to play there too.
Property type also shapes the decision. A smaller home may call for a slimline cylinder where a
October 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
“No two installations bring the same combination of budget, space and heat source selection. The message to highlight here is that specification is dictated by the application rather than installers’ habit.”
standard-sized footprint will not fit.
The Megaflo range covers solar compatibility and slimline options alongside its heat pump cylinders. That breadth means most solutions can be met by a Megaflo cylinder.
No two installations bring the same combination of budget, space and heat source selection. The message to highlight here is that specification is dictated by the application rather than installers’ habit.
This pattern is easier to manage now that cylinder choice has expanded. The Megaflo Eco suits jobs where long-term durability and efficiency come first, carrying heavier insulation and a 30-year warranty on the stainless-steel inner tank.
September brought an
additional option with the arrival of the Megaflo Essential direct, indirect and ASHP models, meaning the Megaflo range continues to be the cylinder of choice.
The best insights Installers frequently ask for a cylinder by brand name rather than specification, and Megaflo has a long-standing reputation among heating engineers for quality, reliability and great backup.
With the expanding range, merchants will be able to steer the conversation towards the right model.
Heat pump installations will no doubt increase over the coming years, and each one brings a cylinder requirement with it. Keeping up with the latest developments will put merchants in a strong position to better serve their customers and capitalise on sales opportunities. BMJ
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