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Unvented Water Systems Point the Future of UK Plumbing and Heating
Heating Central
We all know the feeling, you are enjoying a hot shower when suddenly a cold flow of water hits you, meaning your partner or child has turned on the water tap in the other bathroom or kitchen. This unpleasant experience is slowly becoming a thing of the past with the uptake of unvented hot water systems which provide steady and reliable hot water pressure, which is equal to the cold water mains pressure (provided by the local water company). Unvented systems are very popular in many other countries and have many benefits, including a good hot water pressure (solving the problem of no pressure in the top floor showers) and eliminating the need for header tanks in the loft.
With many new houses now boasting two or more bathrooms, along with an impressive array of systems that use hot water (Jacuzzi, jet shower), users do not accept a system that cannot cope with the hot water demands of modern life. With long working hours, time in the home is valuable and people these days do not want to wait for the hot water, nor do they accept a trickle form the hot water shower. An unvented cylinder and central heating system is the answer, providing virtually unlimited volume of hot water, in a convenient pressure for the shower or any other domestic use.
Most unvented cylinders are manufactured from metals that fall into one of three categories: copper, stainless steel and glazed sheet metal. Each one of these technologies is highly effective and used throughout the world.
* Copper tanks - their price has rocketed in recent years following the commodity's sharp price rises. Copper tanks are relatively light and easy to maneuver into the house. However, they are less effective at heat retention and suffer from heat loss unless covered with a very thick insulation.
* Stainless Steel tanks - the most expensive of the three, offering longer lifetime, but at a price. They have good heat retention, and only a little heavier than copper tanks.
* Sheet metals tanks - very popular on the continent, they are much cheaper than stainless steel, and offer the best heat retention among the three types of tanks. They normally come with inner enamel glazing which reduces the build up of scale inside the tank. They are also the heaviest.
There are several important parameters to remember when choosing your unvented hot water cylinder:
* Volume and dimension of the cylinder - there is a wide variety of unvented cylinders sold in the UK. A typical household of 4-5 people would be well served by a 200 liter cylinder. It is also important to check that the cylinder would fit into the airing cupboard (replacing the existing cylinder).
* Heat retention performance - since the main purpose of a hot water tank is to retain the water inside hot, it is important to check the heat loss score of the tank. A good tank loses less than 3 kW per 24 hours).
* Manufacturers' warranty and support - unvented cylinders are simple systems, with no moving parts. This makes them reliable over many years. However, it is important to check which warranty and service support is offered by the manufacturer.
About the Author
Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, writes about central heating, Bristol plumbers, boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on efficient heating.
Article submitted Monday, September 29, 2008 & read 189 times.
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