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How to choose the right hot water cylinder for me

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Having hot water on tap is something we tend to take for granted, hot showers every morning or a steaming hot bath at night are just ‘there’ when we need them.  This is all thanks to the humble hot water cylinder, an often under appreciated appliance, but one that certainly would be instantly missed if it decided to quit performing its hot water heating duties. 

When your hot water cylinder stops working for whatever reason it is usually something that you need to get fixed fast, there is often no time for lengthy comparisons of brands, installers, costings and types.  Therefore it makes sense to put a little bit of thought now into deciding what cylinder would best suit your needs moving forward, meaning you will be instantly prepared if you ever face the dreaded cold shower one morning. 

Ask Yourself…

There is no one size fits all when it comes to selecting a hot water system, there are a lot of determining factors that have to be considered.  Here are some questions to ask yourself as you begin your search, to help decide which hot water cylinder is right for you.

How Many People Live In Your Household? 

How many people does the hot water cylinder need to cater for?  Keep in mind that typically one person uses approximately 50 litres of hot water a day, and the standard sizes of hot water cylinders are 135, 180, 250 and 300 litres.

How Do You Use Hot Water? 

Are you at home most of the day? Think about length of showers, and amount of baths, dish washing, clothes washing and hand washing. 

When Do You Use Hot Water? 

Do most of the house occupant’s shower in the morning? Are there kids who have baths at night?  Do you do lots of washing during the day?

How Much Does Your Current System Cost You? 

Roughly a third of your electricity bill is for heating hot water when using a standard electric hot water cylinder. Is it time to invest in a more cost effective option?

Where Do You Live? 

Most hot water cylinders are run by electricity, gas or solar energy, availability in your area may have an impact on which cylinder you can install.

Are You Replacing An Existing System Or Installing A New One? 

Are there any monetary or space restrictions that may be a factor in your decision?  Which is more important to you, reducing the day to day costs or lower upfront costs?

 

After having put some thought into the above questions you will need to think about what type of hot water cylinder will best suit your needs, below are the main types of hot water cylinders and some of their pros and cons.

 

Mains Pressure Cylinders  

These cylinders are available in a range of sizes to suit most homes and businesses, size is important here, you do not want to run out of water or heat too much water unnecessarily, wasting energy.  Mains pressure cylinders often mean a cheaper initial install, particularly if you are replacing a similar unit, however, they can be more costly to operate when compared with other water heating options.

Low Pressure Cylinders  

If your circumstances require the use of a low pressure hot water cylinder, then these are also readily available in various sizes.  Low pressure cylinders reduce your hot water usage as the flow rate is much slower, therefore saving you money, however for some people who prefer a faster flow rate, this can be a big a big drawback.  Low pressure cylinders are known for reliability and a very long expected lifespan.

Gas Hot Water Cylinders  

Gas hot water cylinders are most often used in homes that have existing gas connections for other appliances or if you want to completely overhaul your water heating system.  Electricity is not required for the cylinder to function so it will continue to supply hot water during power outages.  External installation may be possible, freeing up internal space.  Gas hot water cylinders generally have higher heat losses than electric hot water cylinders and the daily running costs are very reliant on variations in gas pricing.

Outdoor Hot Water Cylinders  

The glaringly obvious benefit of using an outdoor cylinder is that you can save on internal space.  New technology means outdoor cylinders are far more efficient than you might think, and these are definitely a good option if you really don’t have the room inside your house.

Solar Hot Water Cylinders  

Most high pressure hot water cylinders are available “solar ready”, which means you have the option of running them off a solar system if you want to.  This is great if you cant afford to install a full solar system now, but may want to in the future.  Solar hot water systems provide low day to day costs, however initial installation costs can be quite high.

Wetback Hot Water Cylinders

Wetback hot water cylinders are available in both low and mains pressure variants.  Wetbacks work by supplementing your hot water heating needs using the heat generated from a wood or pellet burning fire. Only specially designed wetback cylinders and fires are able to be used and the wetback cylinder must be relatively close to the fire.  Also there may be local council restrictions regarding their use in certain areas.  

Heat Pump Driven Hot Water Cylinders

Technically not an actual hot water cylinder, a heat pump driven system uses the same technology to heat water as is used to heat your home, effectively transferring heat instead of directly generating it.  Hot water heat pumps can work for existing or new hot water cylinders and use less energy than standard electric cylinders.  Upfront costs can be expensive, and they tend to work best in areas with average temperatures above about 7° Celsius.

 

 

For more information on which hot water cylinder is right for you contact Pete and the team.

 

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Common mistakes to avoid when buying a hot water cylinder

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In New Zealand most hot water cylinders are simply buried somewhere in the back of the cupboard, quietly doing their glorious job of heating our water.  It isn’t until the dreaded cold shower one morning that we fully appreciate the vital task they perform.  Buying a new hot water cylinder can be a daunting task; one which many people will have no prior product knowledge or experience in.

Due to the extended life spans of hot water cylinders getting the right replacement cylinder now can make a big difference to the years and years of water heating costs ahead for your household.  Unless you are a plumber, deciding which hot water cylinder is best for you can be tricky. 

Here are a few of the most common factors to look out for: 

  • Quality.  When replacing your hot water cylinder it makes sense to get the best quality cylinder within your budget.  Ensure you are getting up to date models with modern specifications, some suppliers may try to sell you out dated stock hoping you won’t know the difference.  Modern hot water cylinder technology can mean savings on future electricity costs and servicing.
  • Installation.  Always use registered installers, check credentials prior to the start of the job.  Look for NZ registered and qualified plumbers who can ensure your install complies with New Zealand standards.
  • Hidden Costs.  Sometimes cylinder and installation packages will leave out necessary extras only to spring them on you later.  Things like upgrading the existing power supply and access issues can add to the cost.  The last thing you want is to get a an extra invoice in the mail.
  • Size.  Smaller cylinders may seem like a good idea, however if you have the room opting for a larger one can be a better long term solution.  More hot water in storage doesn’t necessarily equate to higher energy costs and has the added bonus of being less likely to run out.  For some helpful information on energy usage see the EECA Energywise website. 
  • Advice.  Relying on your plumber’s recommendation is unfortunately not always the best option.  Particularly if replacing an old low pressure cylinder, don’t be fooled into thinking you must replace it with a similar system, in most cases mains pressure cylinders can be installed.  Low pressure tapware or pipes can be accommodated with pressure reducing valves, allowing you to future proof the hot water heating system.  
  • Future Proofing.  Taking the time to do a little research, comparing the pros and cons of the various options will pay off in the future.  Consider the more high tech cylinders now available that are future proofed for hot water heat pumps or solar, in most cases the cost is very similar.  It makes sense to allow for possible upgrades to your power supply when standard electricity prices are always on the rise.
  • Warranties.  Check warranty conditions and time frames, sometimes they can be misleading.  The fine print can often reveal unnecessary servicing conditions or exclusions.  In general, hot water cylinders will carry a standard manufacturer’s one year warranty for any parts subject to wear and tear like thermostats or elements, with a 10-20 year guarantee for cylinder failure on the cylinder itself and all good installation companies will offer workmanship guarantees.

How do I drain a hot water cylinder?

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The unthinkable has happened, you have opened the cupboard where your hot water cylinder is located, and you notice that it is leaking.

Worse still, it’s late in the evening and the chance of getting a qualified tradesman in to fix the problem is next to nil. So what can you do as first aid to stop the cylinder leaking so that you aren’t going to deal with a major flood as the tank empties itself into your house?

 

Actually, the best and fastest fix is to drain your cylinder, and just follow these instructions to temporarily solve the problem before the Plumber can get there and assess what needs to happen next.

1. Isolate the power to the hot water cylinder. The easiest way of doing this is to turn the power switch off to the tank, or if you are feeling super technical, turn the fuse switch to the off location at the power board in your house which will isolate the circuit.

2. Turn off the tap. Technically called the “cold feed” that fills the hot water cylinder with cold water to be heated. This is found around the cylinder somewhere, usually at the bottom, and this means that the tank isn’t going to keep on filling up with cold water and adding to the problem.

3. Turn on every hot water tap tap in the house and drain the tank. Once you have turned off and isolated the power, stopped the tank filling with new cold water, the last step is to turn on every tap in the house and drain the cylinder, and this means that the leak will stop. This can take a while to drain depending on the size of the cylinder, but keep them on until the water stops.

It may pay you to throw a couple of towels down to pick up any water that may be around the area, but at least the initial problem of a leaking hot water cylinder has been temporarily solved.

Contact us and we can organize a local plumber for a free assessment 

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Pete’s advice if your hot water cylinder is leaking!

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Leaks can be caused by a number of factors, including loose connections, faulty parts, excessive pressure, cracks in the tank and most commonly corrosion due to age. Leaky hot water cylinders will cost you money by increasing electricity and water usage.  When you consider 30% of the average power bill is spent on heating hot water it makes sense to repair or replace the damaged hot water cylinder as soon as possible.

 

What to do if you discover your hot water cylinder is leaking

  1. Turn Off The Water.  Turn off the tap that lets water into your cylinder, if unsure which tap that is turn off the entire water supply to the house, the tap for this is usually located with your water meter in the ground towards the front of your property.
  2. Switch Off The Power.  Locate your switch board and find the switch labelled ‘Hot Water Cylinder’ and turn it off.  This is to ensure the hot water cylinder elements do not burn out when it empties out.
  3. Drain The Cylinder.  The leak will stop when the cylinder empties; this may mean you have to drain the water out by turning on some hot taps in the house.
  4. Call The Professionals. For a safe reliable repair or replacement service contact our team to help you out.

 

Will you need a new cylinder?

Generally speaking if the leak appears to be located in the bottom of the cylinder, this leads to the assumption that there is something wrong with the cylinders internal parts and it’s time to think about a replacement.  If the leak appears to be coming from taps, valves or pipes, then this can mean a simple repair by a qualified plumber or electrician is all that is needed.

Keep in mind that most hot water cylinders have an expected life span of around 20 years, if your cylinder is over this age it most likely will not be economical to repair, a replacement will be necessary. 

If you find your hot water cylinder is not heating properly or at all, it is usually a sign that you just need an electrician to take a look.  The most common problems relate to the heating element and thermostat malfunctioning.  Your electrician may need to replace the heating element or thermostat, or just adjust the thermostat temperature setting; 55°C is considered a safe temperature for hot water at the tap.

 

What now?

Sometimes if replacement is necessary it is a good time to consider upgrading to more cost efficient hot water heating systems like Solar or Hot Water Heat Pumps (In some cases these can also be applied to an existing cylinder). 

Solar water heating has begun to overcome its main drawback of high installation costs and is gradually becoming a viable option for many. If solar is not for you but you are still worried about the cost of running your conventional hot water cylinder, Hot Water Heat Pumps are an excellent choice.  Able to reduce your electricity costs by up to 30%, the heating system is considered three times more efficient than a traditional electric element.

Pete’s tips on maintaining your hot water cylinder

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Your hot water cylinder is probably the last thing on your mind when it comes to household maintenance tasks, but this often overlooked appliance does need some attention once in a while to keep it running at peak performance levels and prolong its potential lifespan.  Below are some simple maintenance tips that you might want to consider.

Going away?

If you plan on being away for more than five or six nights it is worth considering switching the hot water cylinder off.  This can be done at either the switch board or by isolating switch depending on your system. Giving your cylinder a break not only extends the life of your hot water system but has the added bonus of saving you money on your electricity bill.

Water temperature

Regularly checking the temperature of your hot water as it exits the tap is recommended.  Too hot and you are placing unnecessary strain on the cylinder, not to mention paying more in electricity costs than is required, too cold and you may end up using more hot water than necessary or run the risk of bad bacteria inhabiting your tank.  A simple test using a thermometer while running a hot tap is all that is required, the recommended temperature should be 55°C.  If the temperature needs adjusting it is best to contact a professional for assistance. 

The pressure relief valve

This relief valve is especially important for mains pressure cylinders as it protects the hot water cylinder from excess pressures.  Usually located at the top or to the side of the cylinder, it is best to release the valve every six months, remembering to raise and lower the lever very slowly.  If the water does not flow when the valve is released it may be faulty or mean there is a problem with the system, you will need to contact a qualified hot water cylinder specialist as soon as possible.

Flushing the tank

Cleaning out your hot water tank regularly is an important step to prolonging the life of your cylinder.  Build-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank is inevitable due to mineral deposits, grit and impurities in the water accumulating over time.  This sediment can potentially reduce the cylinder’s efficiency, capacity and interfere with ongoing maintenance.  Draining the water from the bottom of the tank through the drain valve is necessary every few years.  Remember you are dealing with very hot water, take all necessary precautions and consult a professional if you require assistance.

The Anode rod

This is a long narrow solid bar positioned inside the water tank; typically it is made from aluminium, magnesium or zinc, all of which are particularly susceptible to the corrosive process.  The Anode rod plays a key role in extending the life of your hot water cylinder; it is designed to reduce the disintegration of metals inside the tank essentially by providing a much easier target for corrosion.  Overtime the Anode rod will corrode and dissolve completely, meaning it will no longer be providing protection to your cylinder, therefore it makes sense to check the condition of the anode rod regularly.  Always remember to be very careful when dealing with hot water heating systems, if in doubt it is best to leave it to the professionals. 

Maintaining your hot water cylinder will extend its useful life and provide more efficient hot water heating year round.  As well as the above tips it is recommended to schedule a comprehensive hot water cylinder service every five years from a qualified professional in order to keep your hot water cylinder running optimally.

All about gas water heating

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A common concern people have when purchasing a gas hot water heating system is the future of gas in New Zealand. Rest assured gas will remain a vital source of energy in New Zealand homes for many decades to come

There is a misconception that the government is banning gas energy. This is absolutely not the case. In fact, the Climate Change Commission has noted in its policy direction for energy, industry and buildings* that access to diversity of energy options, like gas, makes Aotearoa more energy secure. The Commission has also differentiated fossil gas from other low- and zero-carbon gases and made recommendations around the reduction of fossil gases specifically.

The gas industry in New Zealand is right behind the Climate Change Commission recommendations and major gas suppliers are committed to achieving zero emissions by 2050 by using biogas, bioLPG and hydrogen. There will be a gradual transition to zero emissions and your gas connection will continue to work throughout that time.

So, if you’re thinking of connecting to gas or already connected, you can be sure that gas and LPG will continue to flow as New Zealand makes the shift to zero carbon gases.

Can I still connect to natural gas or LPG?

Yes absolutely. There has been no proposed ban on either!

Will natural gas be turned off in the near future?

No. Natural gas and LPG will continue to be delivered to connected consumers and gradually transition to new low- and zero-carbon gases. This is likely to be by 2050.

Can I buy a gas water heating system with confidence?

You sure can! You can have confidence that you’ll be able to use any new gas or LPG water heater for its expected lifetime.

The Cylinder Guy team fully supports New Zealand’s move to new low and zero carbon gases. Our modern gas water heating systems are already able to run on a blend of natural gas and renewable hydrogen gas (up to 20%) or biogas/bioLPG. This aligns with gas supplier goals and Climate Change Commission recommendations.

Learn more about Gas Hot Water Cylinders