With UK energy prices and the overall cost of living set to rise in 2022, could you save money on your heating bills by installing a hot water cylinder jacket?
With unprecedented global inflation, the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the War in Ukraine putting pressures on energy and food supply chains, the demand for commodities is far outweighing sustainable supply: for the first time in recent memory. Given that UK energy bills are set to rise to an average of 91% in comparison to Winter 2021, we must consider overlooked methods of energy efficiency in order to save money on energy bills, as well as maintain a warmer house this winter.
In this article, we will be looking at how we can all save money via the simple, cost-effective process of insulating our hot water cylinder with a cylinder jacket.
What is Hot Water Cylinder Insulation?
Why waste money heating up your water twice? With a good insulation solution applied to your hot water cylinder, you can ensure that your water stays hotter for longer.
As a homeowner, what you must consider is that your hot water cylinder will heat water up at various times during the day, to ensure that you have hot water ready when you run the tap. To ensure that your water remains hot for longer durations, a high level of insulation is recommended so that as much heat as possible is retained within the cylinder: meaning that the immersion heater or boiler isn’t reactivated as much to re-heat the water – saving on your energy bills.
Depending on the type of hot water cylinder you have in your home, it will typically be covered in rigid foam insulation or a jacket – interchangeably referred to as a cylinder jacket, tank jacket or lagging jacket. For any insulation to be effective, you must ensure that it has an adequate thickness – typically at least three inches (80mm) – and is installed and secured efficiently so that no gaps are present around the hot water cylinder or pipes.
Why insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes?
Consider that if your hot water tank is poorly insulated, it will lose heat far more quickly than its insulated equivalent: meaning your energy usage will be higher, as will your energy bills - particularly during winter. Hot water is a day-to-day necessity, meaning that it is required the entire year round; by adding insulation to your hot water cylinder, you will undoubtedly save money, even in the warmer months.
The simple process of adding a cylinder jacket to an uninsulated tank can easily save you £150 per year – sometimes, even more! Unless you like wasting money and seeing no benefit, we recommend grabbing a cylinder jacket – available for as little as the cost of a Friday night takeaway – which, in all likelihood, will pay for itself, by way of the savings made from your energy bills.
What About a Combi Boiler?
Though combi boilers are excellently convenient – as they produce hot water on-demand – a key drawback of the technology is if your household regularly suffers from low water pressure: causing showers and taps to emit water far less efficiently – often just a trickle – than expected.
Should Pipe Insulation be Considered?
Absolutely! Should the pipes connecting your boiler and hot water cylinder be uninsulated, there remains the opportunity for heat to be emitted from the pipeline, meaning that your system is not running as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Exposed piping can not only cost you up to £50 a year by way of lost heat, but they are also much more likely to freeze during the winter months: a costly process to rectify. Pipe lagging is an effective solution to exposed pipework and winter freezing, as well as contrinuting to a warmer home and lower bills.
How to Insulate a Hot Water Tank
When you purchase a hot water cylinder jacket, it should come supplied with manufacturer-specific instructions. The general best practice is as follows:
- Ensure that your hot water cylinder is fully off and completely cool
- Clean and clear the surrounding area so that there is adequate room to work safely
- Prepare the cylinder by cleaning the surface of any dust, debris, dirt, or grime – leave to dry, if necessary
- Note any important operational or safety information that has been labelled on the cylinder, so that you may write them on the cylinder jacket
- Accurately measure the hot water cylinder, then cut the right amount of insulation jacket that is required
- Begin to wrap the insulation jacket around the hot water cylinder, only leaving a gap for any controls
- Tape the jacket together
Should you feel unsure or uncomfortable in performing cylinder jacket installation routine, do not hesitate in turning to a professional heating engineer to complete the process, as the jacket will contribute to saving money on your energy bills in the long-term, as well as helping you have a warmer home.
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Also, check our previous helpful blog articles: bleeding radiators, the importance of shower trays, and our guide to bath panels.
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