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Potential Domestic Unvented Hot Water Cylinder Issue.

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Mornin' All,


yesterday I visited a horse stable block in the middle of nowhere. One of the stalls has been converted into a "utility room" for caravaners. It contains a cheap dim L.E.D. ceiling light, a washing machine, a tumble drier and a small domestic unvented water heater for hot water, containing two 3kW heating elements, all run on a 4.0mm2 underground S.W.A. cable about 100 metres away in a house. But that is not the issue here.


The unvented cylinder has lots of copper pipework attached, all with no thermal insulation. Bearing in mind that this "room" is a very well ventilated horse stall outside, what are the main safety concerns regarding the unvented hot water system?


Thoughts please.


Z.

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  • 0
    I perceive some risk of explosion in frosty weather.

    If the pipes freeze and the water in the cylinder cools, then when the heater is turned on the cylinder contents will expand, and with pipes blocked by ice where is the expansion to go ? I think that the tank might then burst at normal operating temperatures.


    A vented system would be safer IMHO, and with trace heating tape applied to the vent pipe.


    It would be better to insulate and slightly heat the utility room to avoid frost damage not only to the water heater but to the rest of the installation.
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  • 0
    I perceive some risk of explosion in frosty weather.

    If the pipes freeze and the water in the cylinder cools, then when the heater is turned on the cylinder contents will expand, and with pipes blocked by ice where is the expansion to go ? I think that the tank might then burst at normal operating temperatures.


    A vented system would be safer IMHO, and with trace heating tape applied to the vent pipe.


    It would be better to insulate and slightly heat the utility room to avoid frost damage not only to the water heater but to the rest of the installation.
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