Most hot water cylinders used to be made of copper and weren’t very well insulated, you could insulate them by covering with a red jacket that had insulation inside but they still tended to lose a lot of heat.
These are basically a storage facility for your hot water requirements. Choosing the right one for your home is important as you don’t want to spend out the money again because you chose the wrong size. You can either choose stainless steel or copper cylinders, there are a lot out there on the market so you have plenty of choice. A lot of them come with a 10 year guarantee from date of installation which is a good selling point when making your decision.
You will hear the term direct, in-direct, vented, unvented, so i’m going to go through the different types to clarify everything for you.
Vented cylinder

Vented hot water cylinders are fed from a tank in the loft. Every time you use hot water from the taps the cold water tank in the loft automatically fills the hot water cylinder. They are normally made of copper and the standard size is 210 litres the amount it takes to fill a bath.
They are only used for hot water so just have an outlet at the top of the hot water cylinder. There is also a larger hole to insert an immersion heater.
Unvented Cylinders


This type of cylinder has mains water directly running through it. Instead of a tank in the loft, mains water runs right into the bottom of the cylinder. The hot water comes out at the top as soon as hot water is drawn from any of the utilities. The good thing about this type of cylinder the water is mains pressure out the taps, very common in most modern homes
Indirect Cylinders
The water travels through the central heating pipes into the the hot water cylinder around a coil and the water that’s inside the tank gets heated up as the central heating water circulates. You normally have a programmer that has hot water only or central heating only, when you push the hot water button a valve by the cylinder switches the water so it travels through the cylinder instead of the radiators giving you hot water only. If you have the central heating button on at the same time another valve will open so the water circulates around the heating system also.


Hot Water Cylinders – Supply, Installation & Maintenance
Looking for a reliable, energy-efficient hot water solution for your home or business? We supply, install, and maintain vented and unvented hot water cylinders, ensuring powerful performance and long-term reliability. Whether you’re upgrading an old system or fitting a new build, our expert engineers are here to help.
Why Choose Our Hot Water Cylinder Services?
- ✅ Fully qualified, Gas Safe registered engineers
- ✅ Fast, professional installation
- ✅ 10-year warranties on selected models
- ✅ Emergency call-out service available
- ✅ Competitive pricing with no hidden charges
We only work with the most trusted brands on the market, including Megaflo, Gledhill, and Ariston, so you can be confident you’re getting top-quality equipment with expert workmanship to match.
Types of Hot Water Cylinders
Unvented Cylinders
Unvented systems are connected directly to your mains water supply, delivering high pressure hot water to multiple taps at the same time. Perfect for larger homes, modern bathrooms, and properties where water pressure matters.
Vented Cylinders
Vented systems are gravity-fed and typically used in older properties. While they offer lower pressure, they’re simple, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. If you’re replacing an existing vented cylinder, this might be the most straightforward option.
Not sure what’s right for your property? Speak to one of our specialists – we’ll guide you through the best system based on your home, usage, and budget.
Hot Water Cylinder Installation & Replacement
We offer a full end-to-end service for hot water cylinder installation, including:
- Removal and disposal of your old tank
- New pipework and fittings
- Pressure testing and safety checks
- Post-installation support
Whether you’re replacing a leaking cylinder or installing a modern, energy-efficient system, we’ll ensure everything is done to the highest standard with minimum disruption to your home.
Common Questions About Hot Water Cylinders
How do I know which cylinder I need?
That depends on your household size, hot water usage, and existing plumbing. We offer free consultations to help you choose the right system.
How long does installation take?
Most installations are completed in a single day. If additional plumbing or electrical work is needed, we’ll let you know upfront.
Can I switch from a vented to an unvented cylinder?
Yes – in most cases, it’s possible. You may need upgrades to your plumbing or a new pressure-reducing valve. We’ll inspect your system and advise you on what’s required.
Areas We Cover
We install hot water cylinders across Liverpool, including:
Aigburth | Aintree | Aintree Village | Allerton |
Anfield | Belle Vale | Blundellsands | Bootle |
Bowring Park | Brighton-le-Sands | Broadgreen | Burscough |
Childwall | Clubmoor | Crosby | Croxteth |
Croxteth Park | Dingle | Dovecot | Edge Hill |
Everton | Fairfield | Fazakerley | Ford |
Formby | Garston | Gateacre | Gillmoss |
Grassendale | Great Altcar | Hale | Halewood |
Hightown | Hunts Cross | Huyton | Ince Blundell |
Kensington | Kirkby | Kirkdale | Knotty Ash |
Knowsley Village | Litherland | Little Altcar | Little Crosby |
Liverpool City Centre | Lunt | Lydiate | Maghull |
Mawdesley | Melling | Mossley Hill | Netherley |
Netherton | Norris Green | Old Swan | Ormskirk |
Orrell | Orrell Park | Page Moss | Prescot |
Rainhill | Roby | Scarisbrick | Seaforth |
Sefton Park | Sefton Village | Speke | St Michaels Hamlet |
Stockbridge Village | Stoneycroft | Tarbock | Thornton |
Toxteth | Tuebrook | Vauxhall | Waddicar |
Walton | Waterloo | Wavertree | West Derby |
Whiston | Woolton | Widnes | All Areas of Liverpool |
If you’re not sure whether we serve your area, just get in touch — we’re happy to help.
Get a Free Quote Today
Whether you need a new installation, urgent repair, or just expert advice, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
📞 Call us on: 07927062866
📧 Email: harrisjohnpaul@yahoo.co.uk
📝 Or use our [online contact form] to request a callback.
Why Upgrade Your Hot Water Cylinder?
Modern hot water cylinders are more efficient, more compact, and better at retaining heat than older systems. If your current setup is:
- Over 10–15 years old
- Slow to heat up
- Losing pressure
- Leaking or corroding
…it may be time for an upgrade. A new system could reduce your energy bills and improve your home’s hot water performance.
Let’s Get Started
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners and landlords across [your region] install reliable, long-lasting hot water cylinders. Let us help you too. Get in touch for expert advice, fast installation, and fair pricing.
Are Unvented Hot Water Cylinders Safe?
Hot water creates a great deal of pressure within an unvented cylinder. If this builds up to dangerous levels, the tank could split. A pressure relief valve helps prevent this from happening by allowing excess pressure to be vented. If the valve fails, this cannot happen, though.
Unvented Hot Water Cylinders G3 (Builders)
G3 UNVENTED CYLINDER HEATING SYSTEMS Qualified INSTALLER. Unvented cylinder heating systems must be installed by a competent and qualified G3 qualified engineer
What Is The Difference Between Vented And Unvented Hot Water Cylinders?
A vented cylinder has a tank in the loft which feeds the hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard. The problem with this type of system is the pressure is not very good and needs a pump to give you better showers etc. which can be noisy especially first thing in the morning.
An Unvented cylinder is much better as it feeds off mains pressure so no need to have a seperate tank feeding with water. This means you get really good pressure at all your tap outlets and you will get a high pressured shower.
How Much Is An Unvented Hot Water Cylinder?
They range from around £300 – £3000 depending on the size and the manufacturer. We can go over how many bathrooms you have and people living in your home to decide the best litre capacity.