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11 Apr 2022 16:00

What are the differences between vented and unvented cylinders

Name: Plumb2u
Address: Unit 1 Epsom Business Park, Epsom, KT17 1JF, GB
Telephone: +44 (0)3300 535899

What are the differences between vented and unvented cylinders

When it comes to heating your home, you might think that all boilers are the same, until you begin researching your options and find that there is more to it than you realised. So, once you begin researching boilers, you soon begin to read about vented and unvented cylinders and that can leave you feeling as though you are not quite sure what is right for you. Cylinders are types of hot water storage systems. While they both store hot water, there are some key differences between the two. So, if you're wondering which type of cylinder is right for your home, read on to learn more about the differences between them.

The reality is that there is more choice than ever before when it comes to cylinders, especially now that materials and components have advanced further than ever before. Deciding which is right for you is based on a number of factors such as the type of home you have and your budget. As part of our guide, we are going to help you improve your understanding of both vented and unvented cylinders, helping you to make an informed decision.

Vented Cylinders

Vented cylinders are also known as gravity fed hot water systems and this type of cylinder will have a supply of cold water that comes from a tank that is located in the loft. As a result, gravity will then draw the water downwards via a vent pipe to the hot water cylinder which is where the water will be heated.

Vented cylinders need gravity and the height at which the cold water tank is installed will determine the pressure of the water. With more height between the cold water tank and the hot water tank, the higher the pressure will be and this is why it is important to make sure that the tank is located in the loft.

Once the water becomes heated it will begin to expand but with a vent pipe and a tank located in the loft, the excess water will have somewhere to go.

Previously, vented cylinders would have been manufactured out of copper as this would have been considered the best way to store hot water and a desirable heat transfer. Despite this, naked copper cylinders are known to suffer from heat loss and this meant that there was a big drive to ensure that hot water tanks became more energy-efficient through lagging and insulation. As a result, hot water tanks are not sprayed to improve the insulation.

What Are the Advantages?

There are many advantages that come with vented systems:

The cost of installing a vented system is often lower as they are more basic and that also improves maintenance too.
This is the ideal option for those homeowners who don’t want to upgrade to an unvented system.
Should the water supply be lost, you will still have access to the tank in the loft.
Consistent water pressure and supply when mains pressure is low due to high demand.

Things to Consider

The water pressure in your home will be dependent on the height of the cold water tank. This means that those taps and showers upstairs will have a lower water pressure than those downstairs. Furthermore, vented systems won’t deliver hot water at the same pressure as an unvented system and so, you might require an additional pump to improve the flow while you will also need to think about the space you have available in your loft for the cold water tank.

Unvented Cylinders

Unvented cylinders or hot water systems work differently as they do not require a water tank for storage. So, what this means is that there is a sealed hot water cylinder that receives water directly from the cold water mains.

The incoming water supply helps to retain the pressure in an unvented cylinder while the water is heated by immersion heaters or through a heat source that is located outside of the vessel and can be a boiler or a wet solar system.

The hot water is distributed using outlet pipe work that is connected to the cylinder and this takes water to many different outlets around the home. Once one outlet is used, the pressure from the incoming cold water will displace the hot water content in the cylinder towards the outlet at mains pressure.

Unvented cylinder systems are completely sealed and so, an expansion vessel is required and needs to be positioned next to the cylinder or built into the cylinder. The job of the expansion vessel is to enable the water to expand in the system while it is heating up and then aids the increase in pressure by as much as 4.5%.

Unvented cylinders have been made to handle a significant amount of internal force and are safe for use when the right pressure equipment is used.

What Are the Advantages?

These tanks are a great option for saving space as they don’t need a water tank and there is no need to rely on gravity which means that they can be installed anywhere in the home. This system is a lot quieter during operation as there is no cold-water filling a water cistern. Additionally, the unvented systems are completely sealed and this can help to prevent the need for a tank of water that can freeze during winter and it can reduce the risk of contamination.

Things to Consider

They can be more expensive to install and maintain while the technology involved is more complicated. Furthermore, if the mains are turned off, it won’t deliver hot water as they are linked directly to the mains. In some instances, they are not always compatible with new power showers and mixers, so you will need to consider this before purchasing.

Conclusion

If you are wondering whether to go vented or unvented, there are some things to think about. An unvented stainless steel hot water cylinder is more likely to be the better option if you are having a brand new installation or replacing an existing unvented system. They provide a significant amount of hot water that is stored and ready for use as it can be used on demand for a range of uses. As they work at mains pressure, they offer a higher flow rate switch that means that you will benefit from enhanced performance.

Once you know the cylinder type you need, you can select the one that suits you the most from our range of vented cylinders or unvented cylinders categories.

Hot Water Cylinders FAQs

What is a hot water cylinder?

A hot water cylinder is a water storage tank that is used to contain hot water in certain types of central heating system. This hot water tank is used to provide hot water to your taps and shower. You'll often find the hot water tank in the airing cupboard in your house if you have one of these tanks.

What is the difference between a direct and indirect hot water cylinder?

There is the consideration over whether it should be directly or indirectly heated.

Direct: A direct hot water cylinder heats water through an immersion heater found inside the cylinder. The cylinder is therefore not connected to a boiler.

Indirect: An indirect hot water cylinder heats the water using an external heat source such as a boiler. The water is heated in the cylinder through a coil that is heated by the appliance.