Bespoke vs. Standard Cylinders: Key Factors to Consider

Choosing between a bespoke or standard hot water cylinder depends on several key factors, from installation ease to long-term efficiency. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or planning for future heat sources, understanding these considerations can help you make the right choice.

In this guide, we break down the essential points to help you decide which option best fits your needs.

Long-term planning

Although installing a standard cylinder could be considered an “easy option”, choosing a bespoke cylinder has the potential to be more beneficial over a longer period.

By investing extra time and money into engineering a more comprehensive and optimised solution, you can potentially reap benefits such as savings from energy bills over the subsequent years.

Ease of installation

If you are replacing a standard cylinder, then a new standard cylinder should be identical or very similar (depending on the original manufacturer). In this case, the installation time and costs could be kept to a minimum. So a bespoke cylinder wouldn’t be necessary, unless you were looking to add additional features to the system that a new standard cylinder couldn’t accommodate.

If, for some reason, the designs of the two standard cylinders don’t match, the installer would have to move the pipework. They would also possibly have to make other alterations to the installation space. This could include moving/removing shelves, door frames, or in extreme cases, even walls.

Bespoke cylinders are designed to fit their installation spaces perfectly, without the need to modify the space or pipework. In those more extreme cases, bespoke solutions can therefore work out as the more cost-effective option.

If you’re able to check whether alterations to the pipework are necessary, it can help determine your decision. Additionally, considering how much time could be saved by choosing a cylinder that aligns with existing pipework and building fabric, may steer you towards the best choice.

Futureproofing for additional heat sources

If you’re considering installing other heat sources in the future, such as heat pumps, solar panels, wood burners, etc. You should consider that not all standard cylinders have the ability to accept heat from them effectively.

You may even want to install more than one of these heat sources; due to the benefits that their sustainable fuels and significantly reduced running costs provide (compared to gas and oil boilers). Not all standard cylinders would be able to accommodate this though, as many only feature a single, basic heat exchanger coil.

A bespoke cylinder can offer a multitude of options, including variable coil quantities, sizes, and positions, as well as upgradeable insulation thicknesses to hold onto that valuable heat for even longer. A bespoke cylinder can, therefore, be a solution which futureproofs your home and potentially avoids regret further down the line.

Space-saving

If storage space is valuable to you, you may wish to position your cylinder in a new location which is less intrusive.

Standard cylinders tend to be available in many fixed-size options, which limits their siting options. Bespoke cylinders, however, can be as tall and thin or as short and wide as you need them to be. This can also help if you have tight access. Examples of this can be a narrow doorway, cornered staircase, small loft hatch, or other obstacles to contend with.

Pressure Requirements

Some installations may have specific pressure requirements like a higher than usual working head (the distance between the base of the cylinder and the water level in the header tank). This requires an upgraded cylinder that can cope with the extra stress that the weight of water exerts on it.

Another example could be a multi-storey property with a hot water outlet on the top floor. This may require an unvented cylinder which can accept slightly higher-pressure water than usual, providing an adequate flow rate to that top-floor tap. In this case, the cylinder may have to be constructed from thicker material which can withstand the extra pressure.

In both cases, the installer would need to consider whether a standard cylinder is adequate. If they determine that it wouldn’t be, a bespoke cylinder could be preferred for higher pressures built in during its design stage.

Longevity

As mentioned above, the customisation of a cylinder can extend to the grade (thickness) of the material (copper or stainless steel) used to manufacture it. In addition to the pressure benefits that this affords, a thicker grade will inevitably take longer to corrode compared to the standard thickness, giving you more maintenance-free years.

Choosing a well-insulated hot water cylinder can reduce heat loss and improve efficiency, helping to lower energy bills over time. The Energy Saving Trust provides guidance on optimising hot water systems for energy efficiency.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking to use a standard, “off-the-shelf” cylinder or consider a bespoke solution, the above factors should help determine what’s best for you. Standard models are readily available and more affordable, yet potentially may lack in performance efficiency. In contrast, bespoke cylinders might initially cost higher, but their optimised design and performance can eventually be beneficial.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your installation requirements, future plans, and budget.

For all your bespoke hot water cylinders, buffer vessels, and thermal store needs, contact Newark Cylinders to find what solution we can provide for you.