The Scorching Water Affiliation (HWA) is reminding heating engineers of the significance of standard servicing of unvented scorching water storage cylinders. It says that whether or not unvented methods have warmth pumps or boilers, or they’re stand-alone unvented cylinders, making certain security, system effectivity and guarantee compliance is important. 

“Unvented scorching water cylinders aren’t fit-and-forget,” says Kevin Lowe, Technical Supervisor on the HWA. “These methods function beneath excessive strain and embrace a number of key security parts that want common consideration.” 

The HWA advises that servicing needs to be carried out at the least yearly by a reliable individual, ideally somebody with a sound G3 qualification. Producers generally make common servicing a situation of guarantee, and owners should be capable of present documented proof of upkeep, normally through Benchmark. 

Key checks throughout cylinder servicing embrace:
– Manually working security valves such because the growth aid valve and temperature & strain aid (T&P) valve to make sure they perform accurately and are free from limescale or particles.
– Inspecting the discharge pipework to verify it’s not obstructed and permits water to circulate freely within the occasion of a strain launch.
– Testing the strain decreasing valve to make sure it’s nonetheless calibrated accurately and sustaining secure working strain.
– Checking the growth vessel or inside air hole to verify it nonetheless has the proper cost or quantity to accommodate thermal growth.
– Monitoring general system strain to detect potential faults earlier than they result in failure. 

Failure to hold out these checks, says the HWA, can lead to valve malfunction, uncontrolled water discharge, and system harm, which can result in repairs and voided warranties. 

The HWA additionally strongly advises using real alternative elements. “Solely real elements are examined and authorized to carry out safely throughout the system they’re designed for,” Kevin Lowe warns. “Installers ought to supply replacements from the unique producer wherever potential or their designated spare elements stockists.” 

The HWA supplies steering and sources on greatest apply for servicing unvented cylinders, together with an in depth servicing information out there on its web site: https://www.hotwater.org.uk/uploads/5C47186993739.pdf