PHAM NEWS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 30 Water Heating& Cylinders
Providing the best cylinder option
As heat pumps grow in popularity, the often forgotten or even removed part of a heating system – the hot water cylinder – is set to become an integral technology in our homes again. Here, Ian Trott from Baxi explains the similarities and diff erences between cylinders for boilers and those designed for heat pumps.
Do all air source heat pump systems need a cylinder? The vast majority of air source heat pumps will require a cylinder for stored hot water, keeping it in reserve for when it is needed. When selecting
cylinders to meet the requirements of diff erent customers, it is important to be aware of the diff erences between them so that you’re able to recommend the best option.
What are the similarities with standard cylinders? The major positive for installers is that the basic principles of safe water storage are the same, whatever the application. The construction of a boiler cylinder and a heat pump cylinder are almost identical. The only physical
Ian Trott Head of training solutions at Baxi
diff erence is that there is a larger coil in a heat pump cylinder. This coil can be up to three metres, providing suffi cient area to get the water up to temperature in the
shortest possible time. Conventional cylinders and those
developed specifi cally for heat pumps require similar levels of insulation and the material used is extremely eff ective. Servicing for both types of
THE FUTURE OF HEATING IS HERE IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?
Help your customers save up to 40% on their hot water bills today with a smart, connected hot water cylinder that’s as easy to install as a traditional unvented model.
Designed for the future, it can connect with heat pumps or solar PV at any time, ensuring your customers are ready for the evolving demands of heat and hot water.
unvented cylinders should be undertaken annually. Although a straightforward task for installers, many homeowners do not realise the importance of servicing and this is often forgotten. Regular servicing mitigates
the risk of unexpected repair or replacement costs and ensures that cylinders remain safe to operate. It should also be noted that many warranties are linked to carrying out a regular service. Though the installation
document will always contain the full servicing instructions, it is a good idea to discuss the steps and reasons for carrying them out with homeowners. A basic servicing checklist for either type of cylinder will typically include: 1. Inspection 2. Strainer cleaning 3. Descaling immersion heater(s) 4. Expansion volume recharge 5. Control settings 6. Recommissioning It is also important to note that
Exclusive Training
Loyalty Discounts
Mixergy Expert
Merchandise
Dedicated Technical Support
Quality
Customer Leads
Become a Mixergy Expert and get your business ready for a gas-free world.
both types of unvented cylinder must be installed and maintained according to G3 regulations. These refer to the Building Regulations governing hot water supply and systems in England and Wales and prove an installer’s competency in fi tting this type of system.
Join us
mixergy.co.uk
What are the main diff erences between the cylinders? While there are many similarities between both types of cylinder, installers need to be aware of the diff erences too. Firstly, to heat an ASHP cylinder, coils need to be more than twice as big as those in
boiler cylinders. This is so the water can be heated within a reasonable time frame. Along with a larger coil, ASHP
cylinders are typically available in bigger sizes, meaning space in a home should be considered when planning an installation. Because of the lower temperature
used to heat water cylinders intended for ASHPs, some systems include a Legionella cycle programmed as part of their design. This ensures that water is kept safe for domestic use. While ASHP cylinders heat on the low-and-slow principle, boiler cylinders operate at higher temperatures, so Legionella growth is not a common concern.
What are the business opportunities for installers? Many consumers are considering upgrading to low-carbon heating and hot water due to the environmental benefi ts and the potential savings on their energy bills. If considering installing an ASHP in the future, replacing a traditional cylinder with an ASHP cylinder can be a way of future proofi ng the hot water system. Heat pump cylinders, like
boiler cylinders, are likely to last for 20 years or more. Therefore, homeowners can spread the cost of a system upgrade by having an ASHP cylinder installed now and then switching to an ASHP in a few years’ time. It is important to be clear: ASHP
cylinders will work with a boiler, but not the other way around. Installers will likely be familiar with the installation and servicing of ‘traditional’ cylinders, so off ering to upgrade to an ASHP cylinder is a simple way of starting a homeowner on their low carbon journey. It is also an eff ective way for engineers to expand their off ering. ◼
phamnews.co.uk/125/21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
