Although hot water cylinders are an essential feature in modern homes, they are likely something you haven’t considered. The hot water cylinder stores hot water, keeps it warm until it is needed, and then supplies hot water to any appliances that require it. Although it serves a simple purpose, there is a wide variety of styles and sizes available. The type of cylinder you need depends on the type of boiler you have and how much hot water your household uses (determined by your personal habits and home size). There are many types of hot water cylinders. Although they are divided into two main sets, unvented and open vented, there are many options within each category. This guide will help determine the type of rheem hot water cylinder that you need for your property.

Unvented Cylinders

Unvented Cylinders are intended for use with system boilers. They utilise mains pressure and don’t require a header tank to allow gravity to circulate water around the property. Unvented cylinders have a higher water flow which allows them to provide hot water faster to appliances. This is ideal for power showers and other items that need constant water flow. An unvented hot-water tank is more flexible than gravity hot water tanks. It can be placed anywhere you want, giving you more space and flexibility. High quality stainless steel is used to make unvented hot water cylinders. They are durable and reliable and come with long guarantees.

Open Vented Cylinders

Vented cylinders can be used with regular boilers, also known as heat-only boilers. They require a cold tank. Usually located in the loft of a home, these tanks are placed in the hot water tank. The cold water tank is first filled with mains water. After that, gravity supplies hot water to the hot water cylinder. Vented cylinders are popular due to their reliability, lack of a pump and ability to work with most conventional heating systems. You will need to have space in your home for a cold water tank. This can be either in the loft, or high up in the roof. Most Vented cylinders are made from copper which can vary in thickness depending on its quality. The thickness of the cylinders is measured in grades. Most domestic cylinders are Grade 3. Cylinders with heavier workloads will typically be Grade 1 or 2. Copper cylinders made of higher grade copper are more resistant to corrosion and can last for many decades.

Direct Cylinders

An element within the unit heats direct cylinders, which is usually an immersion heater. Direct cylinders are named because the element heats water directly just like a kettle. Direct cylinders are ideal for homeowners who do not need a separate boiler. They can also be electric, which makes them an excellent choice for those who want to rely solely on electricity. This is particularly true for homeowners who have wind turbines, solar panels or other electrical generators. The cylinder heats water and supplies it to any outlet that requires it. Direct cylinders larger than their smaller counterparts will have multiple heating elements inside. This ensures that your water heats up as well as it does in smaller models. Direct cylinders come in vented or unvented versions, so they can be used with any property layout. Direct cylinders work best in homes without central heating such as flats. They can be used to supply taps and showers.

Indirect Cylinders

Indirect cylinders heat water from an external source such as a boiler or solar panels. The heat energy is transferred to water within the cylinder through an internal heat exchanger, but heat is obtained externally. This is why they are called indirect cylinders. Although they are designed to heat water from external sources, some indirect cylinders can be equipped with immersion heaters. This is to ensure that hot water is available even when external heat sources are not available. The brand and design of the immersion heaters will determine if they are included in your initial purchase. Indirect cylinders are more efficient at heating water than direct cylinders due to their ability to heat water from outside sources. This makes them an excellent choice for those who use hot water less often. Indirect cylinders are available in vented and unvented versions, just like direct cylinders.

Thermal Store Cylinders

The thermal store cylinders work in a completely different way to regular hot water cylinders. Standard cylinders heat the water stored inside them via a coil. Thermal store cylinders, on the other hand, heat water in a tank and then pass it through a coil inside the cylinder to heat it. The versatility of Thermal Store cylinders is remarkable. They can heat water in many different ways such as stoves with back boilers or wood burning stoves. This reduces fossil fuel consumption. While a wood-burning stove is sufficient to heat the cylinder, you might need an immersion heater if your situation calls for it.

Solar Cylinders

The solar cylinder is a special type of cylinder, specifically designed for homes that have solar heating. These cylinders have solar panels that act in the same way as a boiler. The special mixture of water, glycol, and heat circulates through the pipes within the panels. It then heats the fluid, before returning to the cylindrical. Finally, the fluid passes through an internal coil to heat it. This fluid is circulated from the solar panel to the water cylinder continuously, transferring heat and keeping water warm. You can purchase a cylinder that has an additional coil if your solar panels don’t provide hot water. These cylinders are commonly known as aEURoeTwin Coil CylindersaEUR.