Need more hot water

Mr_Ted

NOT quite as simple as that i'm afraid!
A cylinder in a loft is a lot of added weight, although there are options that can make this possible, but expensive?
The header tank would need to be higher than the cylinder so would also need raising and the weight consideration again, and cost!
Water also takes the easiest course possible so it is quite possible that 1 or other of the tanks would NOT feed the needs and be stagnant if they were fitted in parallel, in tandem you would still need to alter pipework, more expense?
There is obviously a problem with recovery rates with the existing that need investigation!

Canucklehead

I'll just throw this out there and you can make your own mind up as the whether it will fit.

Another option: you can order a custom made cylinder, but it costs.

Naf

Ok, so if I instead opted to replace the current tank, and rebuild the cupboard around it; would it be simple to use a proper E7 cylinder? (I'm assuming not but I'm an optimistic type :-) )

Naf

Canucklehead wrote: »

I'll just throw this out there and you can make your own mind up as the whether it will fit..

Certainly a possibility if all else fails...

Ruski

Is the cupboard that it sits in structural or just stud - if latter a small rebuild may enable you to fit the larger cylinder that it sounds like you're after ??

just another angle to consider.

hth

Russ

Naf

I presume that where an economy 7 cylinder has two immersion heaters, they need separate power supplies and the existing controls would need to be required if not replaced?

Naf

Ruski wrote: »

Is the cupboard that it sits in structural or just stud - if latter a small rebuild may enable you to fit the larger cylinder that it sounds like you're after ??

just another angle to consider.

hth

Russ

Yah, that's what I'm starting to think. It's barely a cupboard; looks like someone just got a doorframe and attached it across the corner of the room.

macman

Is the existing tank full of limsescale and thus reducing the capacity?

Naf

macman wrote: »

Is the existing tank full of limsescale and thus reducing the capacity?

I wouldn't think so, but honestly don't know.

HappyMJ

Naf wrote: »

The element is seated in the curved dome; but I've always assumed it drops a reasonable length down inside and doesn't just sit right at the top. We do seem too get a full tank as the bottom of the cylinder was always warm when I checked (back before the baby's cot blocked the cupboard).
I never noticed any other ports to fit another heater near the bottom.
I originally wanted to look at a larger cylinder, but this one only just fits in the cupboard (the lagging is very flattened at the back, and pressed tightly against the door when closed). When I look up sizes, anything bigger is at least 5cm wider so simply won't fit.
I agree that a properly fitted 180l might just cover us now; but once the kids are a bit bigger I suspect we'll need more again. Luckily we have a dishwasher and laundry machine that heat their own.

That's why pictures are helpful...Is it a modern cylinder?

What is the immersion temperature set to? If you set it higher you get more hot water but.....at the risk of scalding so you need to install thermostatic mixing taps to prevent that.

Interesting that there is no bottom element... Does the cylinder have a coil in it? You should have the cold water feed at the bottom and the hot water outlet at the top. There may also be a couple of holes on the side where you could fit pipes so an old back boiler or normal gas boiler can circulate hot water around it. Maybe a back boiler was in the house, had been removed and the cylinder not updated.

I'd still leave the immersion on 24/7. It won't add much to your bill. Maybe time it so it's off between 6pm and midnight so as much energy is used at the night rate as possible.