Hot water.

Water Cylinders

The basic difference between the high pressure unvented systems and a traditional low pressure vented system is that we no longer require the cold water storage cistern, open vent pipe or cold feed pipe.

Instead, the unvented unit is fed direct from the mains cold water supply via an inlet control group preset to the relevant manufacturers specified pressures. Hot water drawn from the unit is then replenished from the mains supply.

To maximise the benefits of the unvented system, a sealed heating system, if applicable, can also be installed providing the boiler used is compatible.

House Holder Benefits

• Superior performance - ensures constant high flow rates at all outlets and allows rapid filling of baths.
• Balanced pressures - far wider choice of taps and showers can be used.
• Reduces hydraulic noise in system - no filling of cold water storage cistern.
• Eliminates risk of freezing and burst pipes in roof space.
• Eliminates risk of contamination - no cold water storage cistern in roof space.
• Frees roof space - can be utilised for loft conversions.
• Energy efficient - reduces fuel costs.
• Aesthetic looks.
• Choice of location – unit can be installed virtually anywhere within the building structure, allowing greater flexibility of house and system design and reducing costs.
• Superior performance – ensures constant high flow rates at all outlets and allows rapid filling of baths.
• No cold water storage cistern – reduces pipework. No requirement for tank stand or pipework/tank insulation – reduces costs. Roof space can be utilised for additional living accommodation.
• Balanced pressures – far wider choice of taps and showers can be used.
• Quicker to install – reduces pipework and installation costs.
• Reduces noise in system – no filling of cold water storage cistern.
• No shower pump required – reduces costs.
• Ideal for multi-bathroom dwellings

Thermal Store

A thermal store is a large, well insulated hot water cylinder and forms the heart of your home heating and hot water system. A thermal store, stores up heat from a boiler stove, solar panel or other renewable heat sources, that can be used to heat the house and provide hot water whenever it is needed.

The thermal store also lets you easily link up different heat sources. A classic combination is a woodburning boiler stove (winter heating and hot water), solar panels (summer hot water) and a conventional boiler (to provide a back up). Other sources can also include a ground or air source heat pump, an electrical heating element, a wood pellet stove, or even an A.G.A with built a in boiler. 

A good thermal store takes in the source energy efficiently and transfers it back out on demand quickly, maintains good stratification (hottest water at the top, coolest water at the bottom) and, most important of all, minimises heat loss. 

Power Showers & Shower Pumps

As an alternative to pressurised systems, a shower pump can be a valuable addition to a traditional vented system.

It is usually hidden out of sight in an airing cupboard, but the humble shower pump is probably the most important item that many people can install in their bathroom.

Changing lifestyles have led to a dramatic increase in the demand for powerful showers in the last 20 years. Time pressures and the sheer luxurious experience provided by a power shower have made them must-have items for more and more British families.

A typical British home contains a vented hot water cylinder with a cold cistern tank in the loft. In many cases, there is simply not enough distance in height between the cylinder and the cold water tank to provide enough pressure for that amazing power shower experience. 

Get the installation right and showering will be a consistent and luxurious experience with powerful jets of hot water on demand.

Short of installing an unvented, mains pressure cylinder or a combination boiler, the answer for many is a shower pump. Installing a modern shower pump can raise the water pressure from under 0.3 bar (1.0 bar is the equivalent of 10 metres of head) to up to 3.0 bar. You need a minimum of 0.5 bar of water pressure for the shower to work properly.