Posted on by

Another Freeloader bites the dust!

Its amazing how many of these old Vulcan freeloaders are still around in the Auckland area! Freeloader-hot-water-cylinderThis particular one looks pretty bad so im amazed it’s been going for this long. Fortunately access is good and there is still enough hours in the day to replace it with a new Rheem Stellar. We looked at replacing the hot water cylinder with an instantaneous water heater but location and the existing gas pipe size made it very inconvenient and costly for the client. In regards to gas pipe sizing, the piping shall be of sufficient diameter diameter to ensure adequate gas supply to the gas appliance and the Rinnai would have required 200 MJ! Difference in price was $ 700. We are currently offering great gas conversion specials, if your interested checkout the website for specials of give us a call and we will be more than happy to find the right package for you!

For more information on repairing or replacing your Vulcan Freeloader, please visit VULCAN FREELOADER HELP

Posted on by

What a beautiful wetback installation

2 guys and 8 hours later this wetback installation was compete. Quick recovery time by having a wetback ready hot water cylinder just above the wetback.

Some Essentials in the design of the flow and return pipes when it comes to wetbacks:

  1. Pipes connecting the wetback and the storage vessel must have adequate rise and fall. This will wetback-hwcallow convectional flow and prevent air locks. G12 AS1 states a minimum of 1 in 7 slope to ensure heat will transfer between wetback and storage heater by thermo siphon.
  2. Flow and return pipes should be in copper and generally be a minimum of 25mm diameter. AS/NZS 3500 part 4 section 7 includes a table to determine pipe size according to length of run. The open vent should be a minimum of 20 mm diameter.
  3. If the hot water cylinder is not positioned high enough above the heat source it is possible for reversed circulation to occur. Reversed circulation, also known as back circulation, takes place when heat is transferred from the water cylinder back to the heat source.
  4. The bottom of the water cylinder should be at least 300 mm above the heat source assuming the flow line is connected to a riser pipe or coil within the cylinder. If no riser is fitted a distance of at least 600 mm should be made between the two appliances.

To find out more about wetback and hot water cylinder regulations please visit our regulations page. If in doubt give us a ring and speak to a qualified technician

Posted on by

15 year old burst Rheem mains pressure cylinder

old-rheem-hot-water-cylinder
15 Year old burst Rheem hot water cylinder
15 Year old Rheem hot water cylinder

Its always frustrating when your hot water cylinder fails just after the warranty expires Its rare but it happens, even to a Rheem! In most cases the problem relates back to the quality of water. Unless your hot water cylinder is made of stainless steal it will most likely incorporate a sacrificial anode. If you are on tank or bore water supply and have a mains pressure cylinder, you should regularly (every 2-5 years) have a service done. By servicing your hot water cylinder you can avoid a nasty leak in future caused by corrosion. In this instance we were able to offer our special like for like mains pressure hot water cylinder replacement for $ 1200 all including! Concerned your cylinder is suffering from corrosion? Better safe then sorry