Often a like for like swap
Advance Appliances' FAQ says a replacement cylinder will usually do the same job as the old one, unless your hot water needs have changed. If more people now live in the home, or showers have been added, you may need a larger cylinder.
Some older stores have direct Advance replacements. The TSD replaces the Boilermate, Flomax and Albion Mainsflow Direct, the TSi and TSiC replace Boilermate and Flomax products and the Albion Mainsflow Indirect, and the ECO ETS replaces the Gledhill Pulsacoil. See replacing an old cylinder with a thermal store.
Do you need a new boiler?
Usually not, according to Advance's FAQ. Two checks apply:
- For a thermal store, the boiler must be able to reach 75°C, and an indirect store works with Y, S and W plan systems on a single pump.
- Advance's standard thermal stores are not designed for a heat pump alone; a heat pump needs a heat pump cylinder.
When the job gets bigger
Swapping a vented cylinder for an unvented one adds work. Part G3 of the Building Regulations requires safety devices and discharge pipework, fitted by someone qualified for unvented systems, and the Advance heat pump cylinder guide says the installation must be notified to Building Control. A vented thermal store avoids that; see thermal store or unvented cylinder.
Graeme Stansfield of Shower Services in Bury, an installer since 2002, has seen it go wrong. On Advance's installer page he writes: "I have seen so many installations where people have replaced a thermal store cylinder with an unvented cylinder which could not have passed a building control inspection due to the discharge pipe not being to G3 requirements."
He has also replaced electric heating and hot water systems with Advance units, an ECB 210 or a 9kW Eglow with an ETS 160, and says: "Once again if the existing conditions are appropriate installation is quite straightforward."
Planning the day
- Advance's delivery page recommends having the cylinder delivered one to two days before it is fitted.
- Delivery is by pallet company to the kerbside, and every cylinder is a two man lift, so arrange help or a sack truck.
- Check the goods on arrival; damage or shortages must be reported within 48 hours.
- Register the new cylinder on the warranty registration page within six months of purchase.
- A replacement cylinder usually does the same job as the old one, so it is often a like for like swap.
- There is usually no need to change the boiler, but a thermal store needs a boiler that reaches 75°C.
- More people or extra showers may mean a larger cylinder.
- Changing to an unvented cylinder adds G3 safety and discharge work and Building Control notification.
- Have the cylinder delivered one to two days before fitting; it is a two man lift.
Managing Director, Advance Appliances. 20+ Years experience