How to Tell When It’s Time for a New Water Cylinder

Water cylinders provide you with the means to enjoy hot water with the turn of the tap. They supply all the water you need for washing up or showering, let you draw a relaxing bath, and more. However, like all equipment in the home, they’re subject to wear and tear, and you will eventually need to replace yours. How do you tell when it’s time for a new water cylinder? Below, we’ll highlight key signs that it’s time for a new water cylinder.

One of the most obvious signs that your water cylinder needs either a little care or could be ready for replacement is a reduction in the amount of hot water produced. This could be a sign that one of the immersion heaters has failed inside the cylinder, that sediment has built up to a significant degree within the cylinder, or that corrosion has caused the anode rod to fail.

To be clear, you’ll need to measure hot water production over time. Make sure that the shortfall is not due to hot water usage in the home – did someone take a longer than usual shower? Did you recently run the dishwasher? Measure hot water production over a week or so.

Unvented water cylinders require annual maintenance. During that maintenance service, parts may need to be replaced – pressure relief valves, temperatures sensors, and the like will need to be replaced over the life of the cylinder.

However, if you find that replacement parts are not available for your cylinder, it’s a prime sign that you need to upgrade to a newer model. At EasyFlow, we carry replacement parts for most water cylinders, including some that are no longer manufactured, but if replacement parts are unavailable, the only option will be to replace the cylinder itself.

An aging water cylinder suffers from reduced efficiency – it has to work harder to heat the same volume of water. That increases your energy usage, which means you will be paying more to heat your water. If your operating costs are going up and there are no other changes (you’re not using more hot water, your energy rates have not gone up, and there are no other problems with the system), it could be a sign that your water cylinder is ready to be replaced.

Water cylinders are manufactured from durable material – stainless steel and copper are two options. They’re designed to withstand the effects of long-term usage and wear. If you’re seeing corrosion on the exterior of the cylinder, at any of the valves or sensors, or anywhere else on your water cylinder, it’s a good sign that it is nearing the end of its life and needs to be replaced.

Do any of the signs discussed above sound familiar? If so, call EasyFlow to replace your aging water cylinder before it fails outright. Not sure your cylinder is ready to be replaced? We’re happy to inspect it and advise you.