How to Find and Use the Thermostat on Your Unvented Cylinder

Your unvented cylinder is responsible for providing mains pressure hot water throughout your home. However, you may find that you need to adjust the temperature of the water. You may need to raise it to kill off potentially harmful bacteria, or maybe you want to lower it to save money on energy or help prevent scalds if you have children in the home. Whatever the case, you’ll need to know how to locate and use the thermostat on your unvented cylinder.

What Is a Thermostat?

Your unvented cylinder is equipped with a thermostat, which is a simple device that allows you to adjust the temperature of the water up or down. Depending on the age of your unit and the model in question, you may have an old-style analogue thermostat or a newer digital thermostat.

Older thermostats really only offer two functions – adjusting the temperature up or down. Newer thermostats offer advanced features that can include the following:

• Programming specific temperatures

• Setting specific temperature cycles

• Turning the unit on and off at specific times of day

What’s the Normal Temperature for an Unvented Cylinder?

In most cases, your unvented cylinder’s thermostat should be set between 60°C and 65°C. This is hot enough to kill most potentially dangerous bacteria. However, it may be unsafe if you have small children in the home. It’s very easy to scald their sensitive skin. In this case, you can adjust your thermostat down. Set it at 49°C to ensure safety. This is also warm enough that it will kill Legionella. Do not exceed 52°C if you have small children in the home.

How to Adjust the Thermostat on Your Unvented Cylinder

Unvented cylinders have been in use in the UK for many years. Because of that, you could have one of several different types of thermostats. It could be a simple dial you turn. It could be a slider-style thermostat. Finally, it could be a digital unit with buttons that you use to control the temperature.

First, locate the thermostat. It will be on the body of the cylinder in most cases unless you have a remote system, which is rare because most people don’t need to adjust the temperature very often. The thermostat should be on the top half of the cylinder and may be behind an access panel. If so, open the panel to reach the controls.

If you have a dial thermostat, simply turn the dial to your preferred temperature. If it is a slider, you’ll move the indicator left or right to reach the right temperature. Those with digital thermostats will need to use the up and down buttons to set the temperature.

Can’t find your thermostat? Is your unvented cylinder thermostat not working? Whatever the case, turn to the professional at EasyFlow. With years of experience handling unvented cylinder problems of all sizes and easy access to the most in-demand parts, we can solve your problem fast! Contact us today.