Electric only flat - Unvented hot water cylinder not used for over 6 months - other options?

Alex8517

Hi

I just bought a 2 bed flat, and there is a Santon premier plus - Model PP170E unvented hot water cylinder already installed.

The flat was build in 2004, so I guess the UV cylinder is about 14 years old, and one of the immersion heater is broken, looks like the electrics are burned out, I can see slight burned mark on the controls of the immersion heater and the fuse in the switch is also burned.

I am not sure how long its has been broken, since before I bought the flat, it was empty for over 6 months.

My question is, considering the point below - correct me if i am wrong

- UV cylinder hasn't been use for over 6 months which means bacteria has developed and I read it will need professional care to disinfect.
- Cost of labour to fix, disinfect and do a full check up.
- System is old and will need to replaced with the next 5 years?
- system might not been maintain annually or at all for years.

Would it be better to go with one of the options below - rather than having the System repair and serviced.

options:
1. install a new Unvented hot water system.
2. Install a new electric boiler - no need for a combi

Cost is a factor in all of this but more importantly, I want to have a system that is safe to use and would give me least amount of issues in the future.

Please let me know if there are any other options.

Thank you.

System

2014 or 2004?

Alex8517

Sorry, it was build in 2004

System

OK. Your UV cylinder is not that old. If an immersion heater has burnt out then this is easily replaced. I wouldn’t too much about bacteria. All a plumber needs to do is drain it down and refill. If you then heat the cylinder to 60C then any risk should be eliminated. I would call a couple of G3 annotated plumbers and ask them to quote for all the work that is needed.

If the two quotes are markedly different in the scope of work/price then get a third plumber in.

A G3 annotation is needed to work on an unvented cylinder.

PS. The manufacturer clearly has faith in its products as the cylinder has a 30 year parts and labour warranty. The immersion heater would not be seen as being part of the cylinder.

Alex8517

Ok, thanks for the help.