Unvented Hot Water Cylinders in Stoke-on-Trent
Unvented cylinders give mains-pressure hot water without a cold tank in the loft. We install, service and repair them across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding towns.
What an unvented cylinder gives you
A conventional vented system relies on a cold water tank in the loft and gravity, which is why upstairs showers can be weak. An unvented cylinder stores hot water at mains pressure, so baths fill quickly and showers stay strong.
They suit homes with:
- More than one bathroom, or two showers used at once
- A system boiler rather than a combi
- A desire to remove tanks from the loft
- Poor existing gravity-fed hot water pressure
They are not automatically the right answer for every property — mains flow rate and available space both matter. We will tell you honestly if a combi or a different setup suits you better.
Installation
Installation involves siting the cylinder safely, connecting the cold supply, hot distribution, primary circuit, expansion vessel, and the pressure and temperature safety devices, then commissioning and testing. Correct installation matters as much as the cylinder itself: badly installed unvented systems are a real safety risk.
We confirm the scope and quote before any work starts. Quotes are free, and we supply the materials.
Competence is separate from gas registration
Unvented cylinder work is regulated separately from gas work. Gas Safe registration alone does not cover it — the engineer must hold the specific qualification for unvented hot water systems, and the system must be installed and commissioned to the manufacturer’s instructions and the relevant Building Regulations.
Our engineer holds the G3 qualification for unvented hot water systems. If a particular installation is outside what we can undertake safely, we will say so rather than take it on.
Servicing and repair
An annual service checks:
- Pressure and temperature relief valve operation
- Expansion vessel charge and condition
- Temperature settings and controls
- Visible connections for weeping or corrosion
- The discharge pipe route and termination
If a relief valve is passing water, or the cylinder is leaking, we will explain whether it can be repaired or needs replacing. Our guide to what a boiler service includes covers the similar checks on the heating side.
Related work
Cylinder work often overlaps with boiler installation when a system boiler is being replaced, and with central heating where controls or valves are faulty. If you are weighing up combi versus cylinder, read combi vs system boiler.
Frequently asked questions
What is an unvented cylinder?
A hot water cylinder fed directly from the mains rather than from a cold tank in the loft. It gives strong, balanced hot water pressure at every outlet, which suits homes with several bathrooms.
Do unvented cylinders need servicing?
Yes. They have safety devices — pressure and temperature relief valves, an expansion vessel and a temperature control — that should be checked annually. Servicing also catches early signs of failure before they become leaks.
Who can install an unvented cylinder?
Installation is regulated work and must be carried out by a competent, qualified engineer. We install and service them, and we will confirm the scope before any work starts.
Combi or unvented cylinder — which is better?
It depends on how many outlets you use at once and your mains flow rate. A combi suits smaller households; a cylinder suits larger homes with simultaneous demand. Our combi vs system guide explains the trade-offs.
Why is water coming out of the relief pipe outside?
That usually means a pressure or temperature relief valve has lifted, or the expansion vessel has failed. It needs checking rather than ignoring — call us.
Related services
- Boiler Installation — New and replacement boilers, including combi, system and heat-only, with controls and system protection.
- Central Heating — Central heating repairs and improvements: pumps, valves, controls, thermostats and full system faults.
- Plumbing — Everyday domestic plumbing: leaks, burst pipes, taps, toilets, showers, shower pumps, pipework and hot water.
- Gas Services — Gas Safe registered work on boilers, gas fires, cookers, hobs and gas pipework.
Related advice
- Combi vs System Boiler: Which Is Right for Your Home? — How combi, system and heat-only boilers differ, and what a survey considers before recommending one.
- What Does a Boiler Service Include? — What an annual boiler service covers, how to prepare, and how servicing relates to warranties and landlord checks.