Unvented Systems

Unvented hot water systems are often recommended for larger homes with more than one bathroom or where there is a need for improved shower performance without the use of a pump. Whilst you`ll have a cylinder, there are no restrictions as to where this has to be installed and there`s no need for cold water tanks in the loft.
As with all hot water and central heating systems, there are advantages and disadvantages with an unvented system:

Advantages
Balanced pressures at hot and cold taps.
High performance showering throughout the house.
High pressure and increased flow rate of hot water - Fast filling baths.
Potable (drinking) water at all taps.
No cold water storage therefore no contamination.
Quick installation
Quiet running
Fast recovery (typically 15-20 mins for a 125 litre tank to heat up)
No fear of frozen loft pipes

Disadvantages
No storage back up if mains water fails.
Poor mains water pressure will cause poor performance.
Need for discharge pipe (overflow)
Expensive when compared to a conventional system or a combination boiler

In larger homes, some combination boilers won`t have the required water flow rates to satisfy your full requirements, this is where an unvented system is ideal. If the mains water pressure into your home is good (and we will check this before any recommendation,) then you could enjoy the same hot water pressure in every bathroom / shower.
GasFirst engineers are fully qualified to install, service and repair unvented hot water systems.
As with central heating boilers, every unvented cylinder should be serviced every 12 months.

If you require further information about unvented hot water systems or would like us to give you a FREE no obligation quotation, please complete the enquiry form on our “Contact Us” page