50 ARISTON
says choosing high
quality unvented electric
water heaters is vital
52 FABDEC
looks at the role virtual
reality technology will
play in the future
54 HEATRAE SADIA
explains how to get
Are all hot water
value for money when
buying cylinders
cylinders created equal?
Smart controls are now being incorporated into cylinders and can learn hot water usage habits to save energy and costs
In many areas of the heating industry the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ has real
clout. However, when you look at hot water storage, many perceive one cylinder to be the
same as another. So, is this the case? Stuart Elsy, managing director of OSO Hotwater,
highlights the features to look out for and what installers should consider to ensure they
are recommending the best.
Where boilers are concerned,
homeowners are often
prepared to pay for what they
know will offer them quality,
effi ciency and reliability. Considered
nothing more than just a functional add
on, it is easy to see why many feel that one
hot water storage cylinder will be the same
as any other on the market.
Yet, it is an integral part of the heating
system and, with many variations in
quality, effi ciency and innovation out
there, what is specifi ed will undoubtedly
have an impact on the effectiveness of
the heating system as a whole. Opting for
a top-rated boiler and pairing this with
a cheaper cylinder is inevitably going to
adversely affect the end result.
Thankfully, with advances in cylinder
technology now available, the new
generation of hot water cylinders
offer considerable advantages over
older products and provide greater
opportunities for house design and space
utilisation.
VACUUM PACKED EFFICIENCY
The defi nition of a high-performance
FEATURE
WATER HEATING,
TANKS & CYLINDERS
cylinder has now shifted from a cylinder
that heats up quickly, to one that cools
down slowly.
Heat loss is the key factor here and
keeping this to a minimum is the
parameter by which indirect cylinders are
assessed for SAP and ERP.
Where heat loss was once a bare
cylinder covered with an ill-fi tting jacket,
the move to spray foam insulation made
notable steps to improve performance
and is still used in many vented cylinders,
although at an increased thickness.
Now, almost all unvented and thermal
48 Heating & Plumbing Monthly | JUNE 2018 | www.hpmmag.com
/www.hpmmag.com
