The Most Common Repairs for Unvented Cylinders

19 Jun 2022

Unvented cylinders offer a lot of benefits over older vented technology. They can be installed almost anywhere around your home. They don’t make a lot of noise. They provide mains pressure hot water at all the taps in the house or apartment. However, like all other appliances, they are subject to wear and tear. It’s important to know some of the most common repairs that you might need on your cylinder.

Immersion Heater Replacement

One of the most common issues we see at EasyFlow is immersion heater failure. All unvented cylinders have at least one immersion heater, but most have two (or more). These heaters are responsible for warming the water to the specified temperature. If a heater fails, it will take longer for the water to warm up, and it may never reach the correct temperature in some instances. Replacing an immersion heater is not something that the average homeowner should undertake – working with a trusted professional like an EasyFlow technician is the best option.

Thermostat Replacement

Your unvented cylinder’s thermostat is responsible for setting and maintaining water temperature. You can choose the temperature that works best for your needs and that’s safe for protection against bacteria, as well. However, thermostats can and do fail. A simple way to test yours is to adjust the thermostat up and see if the temperature of the water increases. If it does, then the thermostat is not a problem. It’s best to let a professional handle your thermostat replacement if the unit fails, though.

Pressure Relief Valve

The pressure relief valve is a safety device designed to help ensure that your unvented cylinder does not become over pressurised. When the internal pressure rises too high, the valve opens, allowing the excess to escape. However, if the valve fails, it will not function correctly. In most cases, it will fail open, allowing pressure to escape. You will usually notice this in a reduction of pressure and heat in the water at your taps.

Pressure Reducing Valve

A pressure reducing valve is installed on the inlet line to ensure that the water pressure coming into the cylinder is at a safe level. Failure of the valve could mean no water entering the cylinder or it could allow high-pressure water in, which could damage the cylinder itself.

The Solution

While unvented cylinders are reliable and efficient, they can suffer from wear and tear. Any of the situations we discussed in this post could leave you with no hot water. What’s the best way to make sure that you’re not stuck in that position? The answer is annual service through a professional partner like EasyFlow.

We offer affordable annual service/maintenance plans that include a full inspection of components that are likely to fail, as well as the rest of the cylinder. Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure that you’re not caught unprepared. Our technicians carry most parts on their trucks, too, so if a part is failing (or has already failed), replacing it is a simple matter. Contact us today to discuss maintaining your unvented cylinder.

We cover the areas of Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and surrounding area. Call us on 0161 941 5571

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