Local Plumbing Experts

Unvented Hot Water Cylinders in Edinburgh

Enjoy Strong Hot Water Pressure Throughout Your Property Without Needing a Cold Water Tank in the Loft.

Haggart Plumbers install and replace unvented hot water cylinders across Edinburgh, from upgrading an ageing cylinder to fitting a high-pressure system for a larger home or busy bathroom.

Our experienced engineers fit and commission the cylinder properly, giving you strong, consistent hot water to every tap and shower in the home.

White Vaillant unvented hot water cylinder with copper pipework, in an open cupboard in a contemporary Edinburgh home.
Call our Edinburgh office 0131 447 2656
  • 1903
    Trading since
  • Vaillant
    Advanced Installer
  • Edinburgh
    Local engineers
Why Haggart Plumbers

Four Generations. One Standard.

  • Trading since 1903

    More than a century of plumbing and heating work in the same city.

  • Gas Safe registered

    Registration No. 936063. Every engineer carries a Gas Safe ID card to the door.

  • No call-out fee

    We assess the job and explain the options before any work starts.

  • Edinburgh and East Lothian

    From city tenements to coastal and village properties, across both areas.

Service overview

Complete Unvented Hot Water Cylinder Services

We fit new cylinders, replace older units and diagnose faults affecting pressure, temperature, capacity or discharge. Our work covers direct and indirect cylinders, immersion heaters, thermostats, expansion vessels, inlet controls, safety valves, tundishes and discharge pipework. We commonly find that cylinder size gets most of the attention, but incoming mains flow and pipe size also affect performance. We check these factors before recommending equipment.

An unvented cylinder can suit households that want stronger hot water flow at taps and showers or need to remove an existing loft tank. It stores hot water under mains pressure, so correct sizing, siting and safety controls matter. Call us if the cylinder runs out too quickly, loses pressure, leaks or discharges water through the tundish. We complete the cylinder work through one contractor rather than leaving you to coordinate separate trades.

A cylinder is usually paired with the right boiler, and strong stored hot water supports shower and bath plumbing across the home.

Vaillant Advance InstallerGas Safe Register
Accreditations

Gas Safe Registered. Vaillant Advanced Installer.

Haggart Plumbers is Gas Safe Registered, No. 936063, and a Vaillant Advanced Installer. Our engineers carry their Gas Safe ID cards to every job and work to current UK gas safety standards.

What we cover

What Our Unvented Cylinder Work Covers

  1. New unvented cylinder installation

    We assess incoming pressure and flow, household demand, available space and discharge options. We then specify the cylinder capacity and control components before completing the supply-and-install work.

  2. Direct unvented cylinders

    A direct cylinder heats water with immersion heaters rather than relying on a boiler coil. We check the electrical supply, immersion heater rating and thermostat arrangement when planning installation or repairs.

  3. Indirect and high-recovery cylinders

    An indirect cylinder uses a primary coil to heat stored water. We can specify a high-recovery model where faster reheating matters, provided the connected heat source and controls can support it.

  4. Twin-coil and solar-compatible cylinders

    A twin-coil cylinder can accept heat from two suitable sources. We plan the coil connections, controls and cylinder capacity around the proposed system rather than selecting equipment from capacity alone.

  5. Immersion heaters and cylinder controls

    We replace failed immersion heaters and thermostats, test their operation and inspect the associated wiring connection. We also check whether a control fault or heavy hot water use caused the reported problem.

  6. Valves, expansion equipment and discharge pipework

    We service and replace combination inlet control groups, pressure-reducing valves, expansion relief valves, expansion vessels and temperature and pressure relief valves. We also inspect the tundish and discharge pipe route, as these form part of the cylinder's safety arrangements.

Before you decide

Common Hot Water Cylinder Problems We Solve

  • Low hot water pressure

    Low pressure at every outlet can point to the incoming main, a restricted inlet control or pipework that cannot deliver the required flow. We test pressure and flow rather than assuming that replacing the cylinder will solve it. If only one outlet performs poorly, we check that outlet separately.

  • Water discharging through the tundish

    Water visible at the tundish shows that a relief valve has opened. We check whether the discharge happens during heat-up or continues when the cylinder is cold. A flat expansion vessel, inlet control fault or relief valve problem can produce different discharge patterns, so we identify the cause before replacing parts.

  • A leaking cylinder or connection

    We trace water back to its source because wet insulation, a loose connection and a leaking safety component require different repairs. If the cylinder body has failed, we explain the replacement options and check that the proposed unit fits the available space and discharge arrangement.

  • Hot water runs out too quickly

    A cylinder may be undersized, reheating slowly or failing to heat its full stored volume. We test thermostats and immersion heaters, review the heat-up controls and discuss normal household use. This helps us distinguish a component fault from a cylinder that no longer matches demand.

Customer reviews

Trusted in Edinburgh. Their Words.

  • Plumber (Joe) sorted the leak under the kitchen sink very quickly. I am glad I contacted Haggart Plumbers Ltd for this problem.

    Dave Law, Edinburgh
  • Quick and efficient. Arrived promptly at 8.15, and completed the work (replacing 6 radiators) by late morning. They tidied up thoroughly, leaving no sign of their presence other, obviously, than the new radiators.

    Hazel Musson, Edinburgh
  • Haggarts did a great job of repairing my shower after a leak, friendly and efficient.

    Gail Borthwick, Edinburgh
Our process

How We Handle Your Unvented Hot Water Cylinders

  • On-site pressure testing and sizing

    We start by measuring your incoming mains water pressure and flow rate. Unvented systems require adequate incoming pressure to function. We then calculate your daily hot water usage to specify the correct cylinder size in litres.

  • System design and routing

    We plan the installation route, paying close attention to the mandatory discharge pipework. In Edinburgh flats, finding a safe external termination point for the discharge pipe requires careful planning and strict adherence to G3 building regulations.

  • Installation and component fitting

    Your dedicated engineer removes the old tank and fits the new cylinder. We install all necessary safety groups, including the pressure-reducing valve, expansion vessel, and combination inlet control group, connecting everything securely to your pipework. You deal with a single point of contact throughout the job.

  • Commissioning and handover

    We fill the system, bleed the air, and fire up the heat source. We test the temperature and pressure relief valves, check the water temperature at the taps, and show you how to operate the controls before signing off the building compliance certificate.

Common questions

Unvented Hot Water Cylinders Questions

We quote each installation separately because capacity, cylinder type, access, controls and discharge pipework all affect the work involved. Replacing a similar unit differs from converting a property that currently uses a loft tank. We survey the property before giving you a clear quotation.

The timescale depends on whether we are completing a straightforward replacement or changing the plumbing arrangement. Access, cylinder location and discharge routing can also affect the programme. We confirm the expected duration after inspection and arrange work between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week.

We do not choose by brand or capacity alone. We match the cylinder to measured mains flow, available space, household demand and the intended heat source. The best option might be direct, indirect, high-recovery or twin-coil, depending on how the property uses and heats water.

An unvented cylinder needs suitable mains pressure, adequate space and a compliant discharge route. Stored water can still run out during heavy use, and the safety controls require periodic attention. We check these points before recommending an installation so you understand the practical limitations.

There is no single lifespan that applies to every cylinder. Water conditions, usage, installation, servicing and component wear all have an effect. We inspect the cylinder body, valves, expansion vessel, immersion heaters and controls before advising whether repair or replacement makes sense.

Often, yes, but the survey matters. We check the incoming main, floor and cupboard position, access for the cylinder and the route for discharge pipework. Edinburgh tenements can present restricted service routes, so we establish a workable arrangement before specifying the unit.

An unvented cylinder can remove the need for the cold water storage tank that previously supplied the hot water cylinder. We first test the incoming main and inspect the existing plumbing. We then explain which tanks and pipework can be removed or altered as part of the job.

Find Us

Working in Edinburgh

Visit Us
30 Braid Rd
Edinburgh
EH10 6AD
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
07:00 to 19:00
Saturday
07:00 to 19:00
Sunday
07:00 to 19:00
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