Simply put, a hot water storage cylinder is a tank used to store hot water required for space heating or household use. It goes by other names such as hot water tank, heat storage tank, hot water cylinder, thermal storage tank or hot water thermal storage unit.

We don’t often think about this appliance as long as we get hot water on demand. But as soon as we’re greeted with that unwelcome cold shower, the realisation hits. The good news is hot water tanks are generally reliable and operate for many years without a glitch.

When that hitch finally comes, it’s good to have a background on this household convenience. It will also reduce your energy spending. Here are all the information you need to know when choosing the right hot water cylinder.

Types of storage cylinders

The main type of new installations in New Zealand are mains pressure storage water heaters, where the operating pressure is the same as the incoming supply (120-1,400 kPa, usually 350-700 kPa).

Besides that, other heaters operate as:

• Low pressure, open-vented system, wherein pressure is provided by a cold water storage header tank (3-12 m head/30-120 kPa). This was traditionally used in Kiwi homes.
• Low pressure system with a pressure-reducing valve to minimise the mains pressure water (3-12m head/30-120 kPa)

Here’s how the three types of systems compare:

Heater Type	Mechanism	Pros	Cons
Low pressure, open-vented, header tank	Cold water stored in a header tank is fed via gravity into the storage water tank located below the header tank. As the water is heated, it rises to the top of the cylinder where it can be drawn for domestic use. The heating process causes water expansion, hence the open-vent pipe for releasing excess pressure. This pipe typically feeds back into the header tank supply.	Cheaper to install Few valves required Equal pressure system Quiet operation Suitable for wet back connection	Needs wider pipes Needs grading to avoid air locking Low pressure supply Prone to pressure fluctuations
Low pressure, pressure reducing valve system (open-vented or unvented)	This type works similar to a header tank system, but it uses a pressure-reducing valve to reduce the pressure from the mains supply to a pressure that can be maintained within the height of the vent pipe. Supplies low pressure hot water and high pressure cold water to fixtures, hence called unequal pressure system.	Inexpensive installation and maintenance Few valves required Suitable for wet back connection (if open-vented)	Difficult to achieve a balanced flow to a shower Needs larger diameter pipework for hot water supply Prone to pressure fluctuations
Mains pressure, unvented	Supplies mains pressure hot water to all outlets. It has an expansion vessel (internal or external) that allows the heated water to expand, but a pressure relief valve is recommended in case of expansion vessel failure. This valve must be specified for the particular system used to achieve the required pressure rating.	More flexibility in locating the cylinder as header tanks and vent pipes are not required. Equal pressure system High pressure hot water Quick hot water delivery Smaller diameter pipework Greater flexibility of pipework	More water wastage due to frequent heat-up cycles Increased depreciation on pipes and fittings Difficult to install Subject to water hammer

Hot water storage tanks can also be classified based on how they are run: electric or fuel fired. The most commonly used fuel is gas, either natural or propane. But in some areas, an oil-fired heater is popular.

Fuel-fried models have vent pipe at the top that carry off exhaust gases, while electric units simply have a power cable connecting the heater to your electric service panel.

Indirect vs. Direct systems

This refers to how the water is heated in the tank. Most cylinders are indirect systems. They are heated using an external source such as a solar thermal or gas boiler, where water is heated then fed through a copper coil in the hot water tank. The heat is then transferred from the external heat source to the water inside the cylinder. In direct systems, an internal immersion heater directly heats the water inside the tank.

Methods for storing heat

	Method	Advantage
Hot water tank with closed water circuit	Heat is stored in the tank using external heat exchangers (coils) that can be directly tapped or used to power other heat exchangers	The tank is not continually fed with cold water, which reduces limescale deposits especially in ‘hard’ water areas Reduced oxygen levels, which minimises requirements for materials used in the tank, water circuits and pipework
Stratified hot water tank with closed circuit/ stratified thermal storage/ thermocline tank/ water stratified tank storage	Mechanisms are put into place to maintain the vertical stratification of the water column, i.e. water at the top must be kept hot (90-95oC) and water at the bottom cold (20-40oC).	Best for places with wide climatic range.

Design and construction

Water heater tanks are usually made of stainless steel, copper or vitreous (porcelain) enamel-lined carbon steel.

Electric and gas types are mostly similar in construction, sharing common components such as the drain valve, TPR valve, dip tube, internal anode rod and pipes and fittings. The main difference is that electric water heaters have a separate thermostat, while gas water heaters have a built-in gas control valve. In addition, gas models have an internal flue to vent gas and circulate heat; a heat limiting device to prevent overheating; and a special sensor called a ‘thermocouple’ to shut off the gas in case of emergency.

Most modern hot water tanks are made of stainless steel, which is lined with glass to prevent corrosion. Corrosion or rusting is the main reason for tank failure. An anode rod inside the tank also prevents the steel from rusting. It corrodes in place of the steel, so this part must be checked once a year and replaced if necessary. Otherwise, the steel will start to rust. Once a hole forms, the tank will eventually have to be replaced.

At the bottom of the tank is a drain cock that will empty the heater. A valve is fitted on the supply pipe to shut down the hot-water plumbing without interrupting the cold-water supply.

Because hot water tanks both heat and store water, they need to have some sort of insulation in order to maintain warm water in between heating cycles.

Insulation

Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can store more heat per unit of weight compared to other substances. It’s one of the best medium for heat storage. In comparison, it can store four to five times as much heat as stone and up to ten times as much as most metals, per unit of weight.

When kept in an efficiently insulated tank, hot water will retain heat for longer. Thermal insulation significantly reduces standby heat loss and speeds up the heating process, which means you use less energy for heating water.

The most common insulating material for hot water tanks is fibreglass, which is typically fixed in place with straps, tape or the outer jacket of the water heater. For outdoor tanks, sprayed-on polyurethane insulation is common.

Water heaters have different insulation ratings. If you find the rating too low, you can add extra insulation on the outside of the tank to further reduce heat loss. In places with extreme weather conditions, the hot water cylinder can be fully enclosed in a specially built insulated space.

However, there is such thing as “too much” insulation. If you live in humid locations and you add more layers of insulation to an already well-insulated tank, condensation may occur which may lead to rust, mould or other operational problems. Air flow or combustion gas outflow, either by convection or fan-assisted, must be maintained to prevent condensation.

Heater effectiveness

Both the recovery rate and capacity of the tank affect your supply of hot water at home.

The recovery rate, or the speed at which a tank heats water, indicates how many gallons of water can be heated to 100^oF in an hour. When you’re using water faster than it’s heated, you’ll eventually get colder water from the tap. However, since the tank also stores hot water, its capacity will also affect the ongoing supply at the tap.

Choosing a hot water tank with a suitable capacity and recovery rate depends on your household’s hot water demands. Electric heaters typically have low recovery rate but high tank capacity, which makes them suitable for intermittent use. On the other hand, fuel-fired tanks heat water faster but don’t necessarily have a large cylinder, which is good if you need hot water ready any time of day.

Capacity

As mentioned earlier, tank capacity is a major consideration in choosing a hot water cylinder. Choosing a cylinder that’s too big will unnecessarily bump up your energy bill, while a tank too small will mean bouts of hot water shortage.

The right size depends on how much hot water your household uses on average. If you’re not sure, the table below will give you an idea on which size you need:

Family Size	Gas	Electric
1-2	30	30
2-3	40	40
3-4	40	50
5 or more	50	80

For big households or for commercial use, a tank with a higher recovery rate and capacity is ideal to ensure uninterrupted supply of hot water.

Space requirements

f can be installed in interior spaces of a property or in auxiliary areas such as a basement, garage or crawlspace. Ideally, they should be located closest to the plumbing system. Pipes running from the tank must be installed vertically for faster delivery of hot water into the home. The pipework may be adjusted when installing a hot water cylinder in less than ideal locations.

If standard-size water heaters do not suit any of the available spaces in your property, you have two other options to choose from.

Tall tanks (also called tall boys) range from 46 to 60 inches in height and 18 to 21 inches in diameter, and are typically installed in basements or garages where the height can be accommodated easily. They can hold up to Extra height is required to allow the connecting pipe to be installed on top of the tank.

Short tanks (also called low boys) range from 30 to 49 inches in height and 20 to 26 inches in diameter, and are suitable for crawlspaces, under cabinets or areas with low headroom. These are shorter and wider than the standard water tank, allowing them to hold the same amount of water (up to 50 gallons).

If you’re looking at hybrid water heaters, you’ll need extra space for proper installation. So that’s one thing to consider.

Safety issues

Water stored below 60^oC can permit the growth of harmful bacteria, such as those that cause Legionnaire’s disease which is fatal to young children and those with compromised immune systems. This is why some jurisdictions impose a limit on tank water temperature. However, water at a temperature above 49^oC can cause painful scalding injuries.

In order to prevent both dangers, it is recommended to use mixing valves that would automatically mix cold water with the hot water from the tank to maintain maximum temperature below 49^oC. These valves are installed at outlets for sinks, showers or baths.

Features and Modern Technology

• ENERGY STAR rating

Modern appliances are given star ratings to indicate their energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR is a government-backed symbol that can help you choose and support energy efficient products and practices. Check the energy factor (EF) rating as well – it speaks of a product’s water-heating efficiency.

Products with higher ratings are more efficient. While they are typically more expensive upfront, they are designed to save you money in the long run. Not to mention, they have a smaller carbon footprint.

For easy comparison, check the EnergyGuide labels of the units you’re considering. This will give you an idea on how the product is expected to perform and how much its estimated annual operating cost.

• Smart water heaters

Modern water heaters have intuitive technology that “learns” your household’s hot water consumption patterns and automatically adjusts the temperature and other operating features accordingly. These are obviously more energy efficient, which can reduce your energy bill.

Installing a hot water cylinder

Installation is best done by a qualified professional. An experienced plumber would know well how to run pipes or where to locate the tank, and would give helpful advice in choosing a suitable hot water cylinder for your home.

Founder Larry Page’s luxury yacht Senses is sitting in Auckland needing two new specialized hot water cylinders. So the Google founder’s maintenance company Googles “hot water cylinder specialist” and finds Hot Water Cylinders NZ.

They found the ultimate hot water cylinder specialist right there and then, because his maintenance company went ahead and signed us up for the job. Seeing our expertise and capability, they have trusted HWC NZ to replace the existing units and manufacture the exact same models to get their superyacht ready for sail once again.

The cylinders were designed with the following specifications:

• 250L horizontal marine style duplex stainless steel hot water cylinder
• S/S 304 cased & insulated
• 550dai x 1525 length
• 3 x custom element flanges to suit existing stock elements
• 850KPA relief valve and 20mm connection
• Custom inlet & outlet sizes based on original
• 20mm cylinder drain
• No coil
• 1x tank anode
• Mounting angle brackets including nuts and bolts

Check out a video of these marine hot water cylinders below:

Marine Hot Water Cylinders

Designed to withstand the special demands of the marine vessels and boats, our marine hot water cylinders are built with the highest quality components to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Our marine cylinders are made with grade 304 stainless steel, which has good resistance to oxidation even in continuous service in temperatures of up to 925^oC. And when you’re out in the water 24/7, corrosion resistance is a crucial factor. In comparison to other materials used in hot water cylinders such as copper-nickel or aluminium-bronze alloys, stainless steel resists salt-water corrosion better which makes it a clear choice for marine hot water cylinders.

That being said, stainless steel is not totally immune to corrosion. It can experience localized corrosion under certain conditions, so some stainless steel cylinders will fare better than others. The difference lies in engineering and design. Needless to say, our team is confident that we can supply cylinders fit for a supercraft like Senses.

The new cylinders had to be the same design because other pre-made units would neither perform well enough for the superyacht’s hot water demands nor sit well with its Philippe Starck interior.

Google trusts its search engine to show the best and most reliable experts in their fields, so much so that they chose Hot Water Cylinders NZ when it showed on the top results.

Gaining the trust of one of Google’s executives says a lot about our team. These people mean business in whatever they do. And we know they only make strategic decisions that will provide the best outcome for them. Senses is a yacht for VIPs, celebrities and the affluent who expect nothing short of luxury, so everything in it must be built to impress.

We don’t take the word “specialists” lightly. We brand ourselves that way because we know our job extremely well. We don’t just sell the priciest cylinders in order to drive sales, we take the time to listen to our clients’ needs and specifications in order to provide the best in terms of performance, efficiency and economy. Whether it’s gas, electric or solar powered, we’ve got the expertise and experience for that!

In the case of Senses, our goal was to build reliable hot water cylinders at par with the standards and specifications of the original. That’s a huge feat, considering we need to design and supply everything from the custom element flanges to the nuts and bolts.

More about Senses

The 59.2 metre expedition motor yacht was engineered by Germany’s Fr. Schweers Shipyard in 1999 and was last refitted in 2015. Built to surpass the challenges of the world’s oceans, Senses is Lloyds rated and deemed perfect for the 21^st century adventurer.

Boatinternational.com describes Senses as “the opportunity for a truly unique lifestyle in luxury yachting” with its stylish interiors and comprehensive inventory of equipment. True enough, the yacht features an impressive arsenal of toys including six WaveRunners, two jet skis, kitesurfs, surfboards, kayaks, paddle boards, a Jetboard, a Jetlev and a helipad – plus tons of inflatable toys for endless parties!

The yacht offers lavish accommodations for up to 12 guests, with 7 spacious modern cabins and a gymnasium that can also be converted into a cabin.

Hot Water Demand on Boats

With its 15,000 km plus of coast, waterways and lakes, New Zealand is every boatie’s paradise. Boating is like a way of life, a tradition during perfect summer days for families and solo adventurers alike. Living on boats is also a growing trend amongst Kiwis who love boating and want something other than the typical lifestyle.

Whether you’re sailing for the weekend or you’re on an extended cruise with lots of water adventures in between, you can never have enough of hot water on board. A nice warm shower is the ultimate refresher, washing off the salt and sweat at the end of the day. Especially when you’re wintering someplace on a boat, hot water is something you just can’t live without.

Many boats carry a water heater that operates either from engine heat or on electricity. The problem with the former is that the engine has to be running constantly to ensure a steady supply of hot water. That’s very inefficient when you’re just mooring, and causes unnecessary wear on the engine. The fact that the water in the heater can be heated depending on the temperature of the engine’s coolant creates some serious safety risks. Nevertheless, these heaters work well for smaller boats.

For bigger vessels, a custom-fitted hot water cylinder makes a lot more sense, due to its larger capacity and efficiency.

In the case of Senses which has a private beach club complete with a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, having hot water on demand is essential. Now with its new high spec hot water cylinders, Senses is once again ready for charter in New Zealand and the South Pacific.

With the right type and size of hot water cylinder, you can enjoy these creature comforts and luxuries in your own boat, too!

Talk to us for a consultation on any of these numbers: 0800 4 CYLINDERS or (NZ FREE) 0800 429 546.

Legionnaires’ disease, also called Legionellosis, is a severe and potentially fatal type of pneumonia. It is contracted by inhaling water vapour or steam containing the Legionella bacteria, which is very likely to happen when taking a hot shower.

The bacteria love warm, stagnant water. They can grow in water temperatures ranging 20 – 45^oC and thrive in the range of 32 – 44^oC, which commonly occur in plumbing systems, spa pools, hot water tanks and evaporative condensers of commercial AC systems. However, Legionella bacteria cannot grow at higher temperatures and are killed almost instantaneously at around 70^oC.

This is why the District Health Board is sending a warning against turning down hot water cylinders in an attempt to save money. For the same reason, the Building Code also requires hot water systems to have the storage water heater thermostat set to a minimum of 60^oC.

This warning should not be taken lightly. Legionnaires’ disease can lead to respiratory failure, septic shock or complications that may result to organ failure or even amputation, which was sadly the case for two people in Hawke’s Bay in 2015.

Facts about Legionellosis

• The illness is caused by Legionella strains, particularly pneumophila and L. longbeachae, which are ubiquitous in the New Zealand environment. They are found in both potable and non-potable water systems, and can easily find their way into engineered water reticulation systems.
• Hot water cylinders are a breeding ground for the Legionella bacteria, as are boiler systems, water-cooling towers, garden hose-pipes, air conditioners and even mist sprayers in the grocery store produce section. Legionella can also survive in some soils or composts.
• Legionella bacteria cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water nor transmitted from one person to another.
• In healthy people, the disease manifests as a very bad cold with symptoms including high fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, loss of appetite, cough and occasionally diarrhoea. But for those with immature or impaired immune systems (i.e. children, older people, smokers, alcoholics, cancer patients, etc.), the effects can be much worse and fatal.
• A mild form of Legionnaires’ disease, known as Pontiac fever, doesn’t affect the lungs and usually clears within two to five days without treatment.
• Although the bacteria primarily target the lungs, it can also cause infections in wounds and other parts of the body.
• Some infected people will suffer long-term health issues such as fatigue, neuromuscular and neurologic symptoms.
• The legionella bacteria primarily spread through micro water droplets, but it can also be transmitted via aspiration of contaminated water or working with contaminated soil.

Are you safe from Legionellosis?

Homes and workplaces are generally safe. But as a homeowner, it is your duty to undertake regular maintenance of your water systems. Workplaces are also required under legislation to comply with building maintenance guidelines, especially those with cooling towers.

Many infections are without symptoms as healthy adults have antibodies to the bacteria, showing evidence of previous exposure. Only a small number of cases will have had an illness with symptoms.

What can you do to minimize your risk?

Prevention should always be the first course of action.

1. Since Legionella bacteria cannot survive in water at 60^oC or above, you should keep your hot water cylinder at a minimum temperature of 60^o
2. For households with a roof collected tank water supply or other non-reticulated water supply, the water tank must be maintained according to the guidelines.
3. When working with potting mix, soil or compost, wear a mask to avoid inhaling dust. Dampen the soil to avoid stirring up the dust too much.
4. Installing tempering/mixing valves are recommended to ensure safe water temperature at the tap. To prevent burns and scalds, water tap temperature should be no more than 45^oC for children and no more than 55^oC for adults.

For more information about keeping your water systems safe, contact our team at 0800 429 546.