What are Hot Water Cylinders and What Do They Do?

What is a hot water cylinder? It is basically a tank that stores hot water intended to be — in a residential or commercial property — sourced from taps or used for heating interior spaces.

This helps to explain why a hot water cylinder can be alternatively referred to as a hot water tank or thermal storage tank. You might not know many ins and outs of how this type of unit works — but, if you did know, you could more easily discern when you need to arrange hot water cylinder repairs.

The Essential Form of a Hot Water Cylinder 

A hot water cylinder is an insulated and reinforced container where the stored water surrounds at least one immersion element used for heating the liquid.

Some hot water cylinders have two immersion elements — but, either way, this kind of element functions by creating heat that subsequently spreads through the water.

Each element is connected to a thermostat that — when the water falls under a specific, pre-set temperature — automatically turns on and so prompts the element to heat up.

Could the temperature of the water contained in the cylinder get too high? Yes — and that’s why a hot water cylinder also features a temperature pressure relief valve designed to prevent excess temperatures from inflicting significant damage to the cylinder.

Maintaining Water at the Right Temperature

The New Zealand Building Code states that hot water should be stored at a temperature of at least 60°C to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria capable of causing Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and potentially fatal type of pneumonia.

However, the temperature of water as it streams from such sanitary fixtures as baths and showers should not surpass 45°C in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and similar buildings for young, elderly, sick or disabled people.

For this reason, water outlets at the building ought to be equipped with mixing valves so that hot water, as it is sourced from the tank, is automatically mixed with cold water. As a result, water leaving the tap can be at a temperature that prevents painful scalding injuries.

Keep a Close Eye on Your Hot Water Cylinder

Otherwise, it could develop issues that fester — and consequently hamper the cylinder’s functionality. Keep in mind, for example, that a hot water cylinder also contains an anode rod, a piece of metal allowed to corrode to spare the tank itself that fate.

Exactly because the anode rod is meant to be sacrificial, it will need to be checked on a yearly basis and — if necessary — replaced. The cylinder also has a drain valve for use in draining water from the vessel so that hot water cylinder repairs can be carried out.

If you notice something inexplicably wrong with the hot water supply at your home or workplace in the New Zealand city of Auckland, how can you tell whether you need to organise hot water cylinder repairs? We can provide you with expert guidance on this matter over the phone on 09 416 4084.