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Combination direct / indirect cylinders

 
A combination water storage cylinder has its own cold-water header tank fitted on top of the hot water cylinder. They come in a variety of sizes, 115 litres of hot water storage being the most common with 20 -115 litres of cold storage on top depending on the circumstances.
 
 
  They are available as direct and indirect water storage cylinders and if required the in-direct version may have two cold water header tanks, one to feed the cylinder and the other as a feed and expansion for the central heating system.

The main problem with this type of cylinder is the lack of water pressure through the taps, the cold water storage has only a few inches of height above the hot water so the further the outlet taps are below the cylinder the better.

 
 
Power shower pumps may cause a problem if the cold water header tank can not replenish the hot water tank in time. A 20 litres cold water header tank supplied with a low mains water pressure and flow may run out of water if a pump is used and cause a vacuum. Though a 115 litre hot and 60 - 115 cold should be ok.

Intergrating a cold water cistern and a hot water cylinder in a compact all-copper unit, are an effective way of providing adequate supplies of hot water when storage space is limited, it also enables a 'dry loft' thus lessening the risk of freezing. This system is ideal for rented accommodation due to is low maintenance requirement, or partially used properties where frequent draining and re filling by the owner is required.