DIRECT & INDIRECT HOT WATER CYLINDERS - Plumbing tips
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- What is the difference between direct and indirect cylinders? We dispel the myths, we cut the cylinders in half and show you the coil, the heat transfer and immersion heaters. If you want to know the difference then this is the video to find out what it is...I hope this video helps you!
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You're indirectly building my business with this lush content. Thanks so much
I just moved into a flat with no explanation on how to use anything, I've been thinking my boiler is broken! Hopefully tonight it will heat up and give me hot water tomorrow. Very useful video Thank you
thanks James I'm trying to change career from a London taxi driver to a plumber and your videos really help !!!
No worries mate! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
People like you put us time served plumbers out of buisness with your £200 boiler swaps
I am currently looking at hot water systems in plumbing at college and wow this has explained everything
Just got a new job I’m an apprentice near the end of my time thanks for your videos they really help me
Just moved into a place that has a direct cylinder and this has explained it perfectly, thank you.
Hi. Thanks for your video. Very informative. I am looking to install a indirect cylinder but my boiler is within a log burner. So I noticed you mentioned the thermostat that's kicks in at 55 degrees and turns off the boiler. What would be the alternative to this if the log burner got too hot?
Just started my apprenticeship. Really helpful UA-cam channel! Keep up the good work Plumber Parts :)
Absolutely solid video and the one of the easiest and best videos to understand you have made from the expert plumber to the absolute misfit like myself.
I have a Megaflow 125DD in my gaff and this had shown me all the nuts and bolts.
Thanking you sire and g'day laddeey in me wee Scottish Plumberr Parts Accent - Why Aye Man! Thumbs up on this video wee big man, hold tite!
Hi James
I think you're doing a wonderful job sharing your knowledge and helping those apprentices learning in advance of there lessons, which is always a great advantage. Thanks for all your advice. All the very best.
Thanks. This was very informative and well explained to a plumbing mortal like myself.
I'm not a plumber, I have no intention of changing careers and becoming a plumber. But I continually watch James the svengali at plumberparts video's, I've even started casting the videos to my 55 inch 4K television. I think I'm being groomed into plumbing 😄
got my hot water systems exam on tuesday, very helpful m8.
Does the heat hero on a gravity fed heating system with a back boiler really work
Thank you, genuinely helped me understand my hot water heating in my new rental
No worries! 😎
Hi James, A quick question I have just had a direct invented water heater installed I’ve been told to keep it switched on is this correct?
Hi there, Do these water tanks need any sort of maintenance? Isn't there a sacrificial anode in them? The tanks in North America require some level of maintenance so I'm curious of these do as well.
This channel is carrying my through my apprenticeship!😂keep up the good work👍
Great to hear Arron! Good luck mate. Let me know how it goes! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
This guy explains in a way my crispy brain understands Legend!
Great explanation......Now I need to know why my boiler is kettling so much and spewing lots of hot water into the header tank? And where does the water come from to refill what its spewing out?
from this info i am understanding that if i have my hot water cylinder isolated from the supply because its leaking then its still OK to use my boiler (old type not combi) for the central heating have i got this right?
Im learning as I watch. A plumber fixed a leak at the bottom gate valve of my tenant's indirect boiler which needed new piece of pipe, he inadvertently wiggled the pipe to the coil and now its leaking from there due to corrosion. Bloody one thing after another. I just bought a replacement for him to fit tomorrow if he doesn't bugger anything else up!
hi there! looking at them, how do we know if it is indirect or direct? pleaseeee
James
I have one of these tanks and the hot water pressure is pants. What can I do or change it to? I asked a local plumber who thinks I have to have the same thing??
Cheers
Phil
Very helpful. I can now understand what my plumber is talking about!
Hi,
I have a 250 ltr unvented cylinder. Roughly how long do I need to heat it up for to get a full tank of hot water?
Sitting a hot water exam shortly and this video has realy broken down alot of the differences.
How do I find the heat transfer rate of that indirect coil? There is so little info on them. For example you have DeltaT 50 radiator that will put out X watts as long as the average temp going through is 50 degrees above ambient. Is there a similar spec for those indirect coils in the tank?
excellent video helped me massively
Fantastic, studying level 2 bpec (full time, not apprentice) and this helped clarify things greatly
Hello, I’m seeking a piece of advice. We’ve 12 years old Conventional gas boiler at home we recently moved. There is no thermostat so we’ve to switch on/ switch off the boiler for heating. For hot water, there is a separate electric water heating system too. Is it advisable to get the thermostat for the heating system which is costing 250-300£ with installation? Many thanks
Thanks again for great explanation. I'm a photographer so I learn via visual teaching. You make it sound as easy as falling off a trail bike!
Spot on Cockle! This is helping me through my apprenticeship, thanks Jim
No worries mate! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
great video thanks for that a great tips direct and indirect hot water cylinders
Hi , I am replacing my boiler and getting a cylinder. I have been told to locate both in one place but I am struggling for a space . Please can you advice the importance of locating them together and what's the drawbacks of placing them separately?
Utterly fascinating.
I about to enter the realm of "house refurbishment"in Lancashire,no doubt the plumbing will be a nightmare.All of this from cosy Chelsea.
Ha! Good luck! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
James, started looking to explore the differences between indirect and direct and got to your video on my first search. Its pretty cool explanation of things which made my questions simply answered. Just one quick thing, did I got it right? If I have solar panels on my roof, I should be selecting the direct hot water cylinders, isnt it ? And what I do to send good pressure to all water points (4 showers, 4 taps for example) ? Appreciate your valuable recommendations. Thanks.
Very good explanation 👏
Dear James
Thank you for msking it easy to understand how a hot water cylinder works. I have a hot water cylinder with two immersion heaters. I have just installed solar pv panels and my cylinder is now connected to solar heating using the iboost solar heating. Now my issue is that the top immersion heater is the one connected to the iboost. Now my understanding is that the top immersion heater only heats a third of the water in the cylinder and I would like it connected vice versa so that the heating by solar uses the bottom immersion heater and that way I have lots of water heated by solar and my 3.06khw pv solar panels can help lower my electricity bill more. Please help.
Top video mate... Understand completely now !! 👍👍
I'm qualifying as a plumber in north east college London, I subscribed to your channel lot of time ago I believe, I do have question that I would like to answer me.. If the boiler is warming up the cylinder through the radiator water, how does it heat up the hot water supply for the taps in the summer when the radiators are switched off? Does it work electrically with the 2 immersion heating element? Please reply to me 😉
Hi Antonio. I'm going to answer your question in a video next week...stay tuned! I'll also use your comment in the video too!
I was wondering if using the water in the tank (eg for a bath) has an impact on other water in the tank that’s heating up? eg your got water is on for an hour but you start using it when the water starts to get hot? Is it best to wait for the hour? Thanks
I’m trying to figure out your question here, but I think you mean can the emersion heater or boiler heat the hot water to replenish the cylinder as your using it.
This would depend on quite a few things, eg, how much water do you use in your bath, is the boiler trying to heat the home as well as the water at the time of your bath and the heat output of your boiler and it’s temperature setting.
And depending on how long your in the bath, but the water should be hot enough for someone else after you.
You should start a patreon account where peeps pay for example £5 -£10 a month to you to get access to key infornation in pdf form where you give step by step instructions on how to insert an Essex flange or an instantaneous electric shower etc. It could prove popular amongst trainees like myself and handymen. Just an idea....
I dont have gas in my property so would need a direct cylinder, however I have a brand new unused indirect cylinder, can I use this just like a direct cylinder? Or would it not be as efficient as a direct one?
hi. .so does the direct cylinder still have a boiler or external water heater to assist the that direct cylinder?
After watching your video I have finally "got it". Thanks for a great video! Is the water that is used to go through the coil the same water as the radiators are heated from? Can you have your boiler feeding the cylinder coil without the need for heating to be on?
Finally I understand how is my hot water tank work in my flat as we have main boiler out side
Hi James, Bought a house, Looked at hot water cylinder. Looks like an indirect system as old owners used to have a coal fire and it "looks" like they used that as the primary heat source for the tank, however, coal fire now gone with old owners, so im now heating the cylinder from the top and only immersion heater or it appears. Is this a full on Bad, if im having to ask im thinking i should do something about it. Cheers, And top videos btw.
Good video mate. Very clear
Just found this , think you’re gonna be my best pal James 👍
Thnks alot! I watch this the morning bfore my exam starts 😁
Perfect 👌 Exactly what I need to know!
Subscribed!Good job mate.
hi, so the indirect cylinder coil contains separate water for radiators, so if I want to alter my pipework in the bathroom to move the sink to a different location, I have to drain the cylinder down, so this wont drain the water in the copper coil ? and affect the radiator system ?, thanks, mark.
thanks james for description of the difference, i have an indirect and want to plumb in a shower to it, as the electric shower uses loads of power, would i need to install a pump to up the flow and pressure and what one would u recommend cheers sandy
Is it a vented or unvented cylinder?
+Sirus I think it's vented as it has pipe coming out top going back to tank in loft
Ah, ok,you might get away with just a twin impeller pump on your shower without installing a surrey or essex flange on the cylinder, but I would recommend one. Salamander pumps are reliable avoid cheep no names. Depending on your cylinders water temp you might need a blending valve that salamander make for the pumps so the water is 60c or just under as any hotter damages any pump. The hotter the tank water the better as you will get more showers out of a tank. But before you get all involved. you might not need a pump, not all gravity systems are pants ;)
Sirus thank you very much for information cheers sandy
Great work guys! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
I didn't come here for a lecture about your aspirations. Straight to the point is what I want
Do one then you plonker. 😂
@@plumberpartsIf you put that rig up. Call the bomb squad you dufus bimbelboinker
You can't rely on some electronic thermal cut off to shut the furnace off. The high temperature reservoir has to be vented to prevent the saturated steam pressure from blowing your shite apart and killing the children you wanker. Where did you get your training from. A lucky bag. You should be arrested
James again thank you for this very useful video but any chance of making a video on how Solar Heating would work with Twin Coil cylinder and pro and cons of Solar Heating?
Hello mate, love your videos. I have a question for you. I've got solar PV on my roof and also have a condensing combi boiler. I had an idea to install an indirect tank but us it in reverse.
I'm an electrician, not a plumber, so not sure if it would work but my idea would be to heat up the water tank with surplus power from the PV panels then run my central heating through the coil of the tank after the boiler so that it was within the radiator system and use the immersion to pre-heat the cold water before it went through my boiler.
The idea being that I took the edge off or potential heated all of the water requirements from the boiler before it went through it. With the boiler only heating the water if the immersion couldn't handle it all.
I hope this makes sense? Be interested to see what people's thoughts were? I can't find anyone doing this online so I'm assuming it's probably not possible but seems like it could work in theory?
James, is it the left or right valve I turn off then turn on a quarter turn when balancing my system, as I have one radiator down stairs not heating,thanks jim
Hi , can you help me with the diagram of tank linked to the System boiler please ? connect baxi system boiler to tank please ?
UTUBE Plumbing Tips. Cylinders.Sorry to hear that. I had sinus.coughing.headache. heart skip. no energy. and other asince Dec 2019. No med help or responses since 2019 when another illness all but killed me. No response any surgery. 150 Councillors. 26 HM MPs. Six Hospitals. DeptIllhealth incl the crrpt Hancock who lives in Cottage Fornham West suffolk where theres cover ups re suicides,corrupt University Essex etc Six crisis issues here incl finding Sunuser had installed Solar System wrong, left out all the sealing washers so leaks cut holes in floor. Sunuser owner said this- 'The Govt prevent us allowing you to contact our Engineers'.Other issues are being hoodwinked by two teachers who faked up this dwelling to sell it. Huge hole in side dwelling as builder sacked for bein drunk. Cant find a skilled honest reasonable trade person. Some firms putting bribes at bottom of estimates. We are also gwetting violent police attacks because evidence gathered Cent london over 12 yrs. NNC say- 'Hide It Abroad'. Police are stating they are sent bu Local Govt and HM Religion. HM Courts also crrpt. We get death threats from them. We took on board bodyguards.Wheres the help. Theres ten people round here getting Lottery money for 'Watching Movies'. Lottery board wont reply. 25 Police area corrupt. Media ia doing the cover up. Cyl Manufacturers? Horrific reports of false warranties and indiffeence incl Telford Kingspan. Nobody can be trusted. Meanwhile 2.5 million people stare at violent filns and even send money to the providers. Go use violence on the crrptn instead. No backbone? All talk.No do.Dont worry though cos you got sport.
Got my hot water exam on Thursday for my level 2 thanks for the help
No worries mate!
Hi James Do I need to isolate indirect hot water for a heating flush flush ????
Love your videos. Always so easily explained. Have you done a video on how to descale an indirect cylinder? Ours is roughly 30 years old and making some loud knocking noise when heating. Wasn’t sure if best to clean or replace
UTUBE Plumbing Tips. Cylinders.Sorry to hear that. I had sinus.coughing.headache. heart skip. no energy. and other asince Dec 2019. No med help or responses since 2019 when another illness all but killed me. No response any surgery. 150 Councillors. 26 HM MPs. Six Hospitals. DeptIllhealth incl the crrpt Hancock who lives in Cottage Fornham West suffolk where theres cover ups re suicides,corrupt University Essex etc Six crisis issues here incl finding Sunuser had installed Solar System wrong, left out all the sealing washers so leaks cut holes in floor. Sunuser owner said this- 'The Govt prevent us allowing you to contact our Engineers'.Other issues are being hoodwinked by two teachers who faked up this dwelling to sell it. Huge hole in side dwelling as builder sacked for bein drunk. Cant find a skilled honest reasonable trade person. Some firms putting bribes at bottom of estimates. We are also gwetting violent police attacks because evidence gathered Cent london over 12 yrs. NNC say- 'Hide It Abroad'. Police are stating they are sent bu Local Govt and HM Religion. HM Courts also crrpt. We get death threats from them. We took on board bodyguards.Wheres the help. Theres ten people round here getting Lottery money for 'Watching Movies'. Lottery board wont reply. 25 Police area corrupt. Media ia doing the cover up. Cyl Manufacturers? Horrific reports of false warranties and indiffeence incl Telford Kingspan. Nobody can be trusted. Meanwhile 2.5 million people stare at violent filns and even send money to the providers. Go use violence on the crrptn instead. No backbone? All talk.No do.Dont worry though cos you got sport.
I have indirect water cylinder which heats up through boiler and electric when needed. How ever when I am using electric the kitchen tap runs warm then all of a sudden goes cold for 30seconds then roasting hot again. What’s the cause as I am lost scratching my head? Thanks
Hi. How do you turn hot water off from Samsung cilinder tank?
Hi, your videos have been entertaining and informative. I would like to pose a problem for you to solve. how would you set up a widebeam boat so it can have underfloor heating. Your options for installation will include the deisel engine, a califorier and a log burner. You can also power up via a 16amp shoreline. any thoughts?
Jimmy
hi, so how do i stop the hot water coming through the taps from the cylinder to change pipework in the bathroom, and do i have to switch off anything , thanks, mark.
Hi I have a normal sized 3 bedroom house with one bathroom. However I am going to do an extension which will have rear 6 meter kitchen diner and double side extension and a large loft. What is the best solutions for me. I will have 3 bathroom and extra 4 rooms it's quite large. I want it to be able to handle complete house. Plz give me some advice
So....is the water from the radiators running through the coil inside the indirect tank?
What I mean is....if my central heating is on will that also heat the water in the tank?
Jay help me out. Just moved into a really nice Victorian flat. 4 up, no gas. Pure mare! Storage heaters. Kill me now. They're no going on! Got a direct cylinder straight out of 1970. You know the ones, no insulation, nothing. Just a bloody electric copper radiator in a cupboard. Now the water pressures cack 4 up. We don't do baths, just showers. It has an electric shower that spits water out which I can live with but with the cost of leckie right now, i don't want to nor do I need to heat 180 litres of water. All I need hot water for is washing my hands and doing the dishes. Without taking apart the whole system, if I switch off the immersion, could I have fitted a sufficiently powerful instant water heater just after the output pipe from my cylinder then have my hot water when I needed it?
Hi mate off topic of this video but is it ok to join speedfit fittings to the grey water pipe ?
super vids by the way :)
Brilliant, helpful thank you
Very clearly explained.
hey mate have you done a video on how to get hot water tap pressure back on a combi boiler (indirect)? I've got great cold water pressure but my hot water is useless, takes about 5 - 10 minutes to fill the kitchen sink. many thanks and great videos your a legend
Will do mate! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
Thanks sir
You are very helpful
Hi! It's my first time to watch your video. Your explanations are very clear and well-understanding! May I ask that: How can I identify the cylinder is direct or indirect system from the appearance? Thank you!
how do I find out if my hot water cylinder is indirect or direct? does it say anywhere? I cant see anything
Hello mate, I have a back boiler run off my fire for water & radiators so I worked out its indirect. How does the water in my boiler get there ? Or does it not have water in the coil ? It's just a coil that gets really hot from my fire ? Probably silly questions but my head hurts lol.
Thanks.
Well, i'm having indirect, new oil system going in soon, thx James, my man (",)
A direct cylinder can also have a feed and return to, for example, a range back boiler. Water is flushed through the whole system including the back boiler. I have had a successfully operating one of these doing all our cooking and hot water for over thirty years (the cylinder just cracked and needs replacing which is why I'm looking at these videos). We have no immersion, it has four connections... cold water in at the bottom from a header tank, hot water out at the top of the cylinder to hot taps, hot water return from back boiler at bottom opposite cold intake, cold feed to back boiler about 6 inches above the hot water return from boiler. No pump needed as it's convection driven.
Is a calorifier the same as an indirect hot water cylinder?
Silly question how does this heat the radiators?
James please help explain to me how a SINGLE FEED INDIRECT CYLINDER works.. I have ‘messaged you on Instagram about it.. I came across it on a back boiler conversion and I don’t understand how it fills the system.. how the inside of the cylinder works as there’s no F&E tank in loft or ANYWHERE.. your reply will be highly appreciated
this guy is like a life saver
No worries Comments Corner! (where did you get that name? ;)
lool, just thought of it, had a ring to it
You are one funny fecker and very informative and professional too!
Great guy very helpful
So a direct cylinder doesn’t have a feed from the boiler then?
But how does the water come out of the top to the taps?
Hooray a plumberparts video
HOORAY!
Thanks simple but very informative 👌🏻
Hi. I've been watching your vids for sometime now. I have a problem with my central heating/hot water system. I am having to re-pressurise my system almost on a daily basis, but I cant find any leaks. Any idea what could be causing it??
Great vids btw.
delboysauchie pressure relief valve???
Could be leaking at ground floor level, I.e. under floorboards. You can try adding a leak sealer to the system, it works on small leaks. That depends on how much water it's losing and how quickly. Or, as stated, check the pressure relief pipe outside to see if it's passing water.
Thanks for the replies. I shall check into that and let you folks know.
Yep. PRV. SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
How do you know which one you’ve got?
My friend has no hot water coming from his indirect cylinder, there is no diverter valve anywhere, is this unusual?
Love it mate.
What should I do to be able to work as a plumber UK?
Apply at the closest college that supports plumbing courses, decide if you can do an apprenticeship or a standard plumbing course. You will learn the rest there
become polish
Nice Job James!
Cheers Bob! I hope all is well in the States matey! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 ua-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
Already subscribed! Love all of your videos!
Interesting video. I think my Council boiler might now be "indorect"
But I can't make my tank out ;it has THREE pipes ! One at the top, and two at the front. The latter two I presume to be the coil pipes, that leaves ONE pipe to get water in and out ? (There is also another weird pipe at back of cupboard that has a stop cock at 4' high ... leading to a hose drain connection at the other ! (Maybe to drain loft tank?) Oh and the condensing boiler is in the kitchen.
I'm thinking - since I only use maybe two bowls of hot water a day (washing machine / shower are cold water fill) - it's wasteful to heat that whole tank twice a day. So I am looking at those instantaneous heaters ... most of which are quoted as 3kw, and can be plugged into a 13A socket, (which must surely be stretching the fuse limits) Maybe wire as a spur to the rear of a newarby wall socket?
Great job, very clear !!!
I learn more from this guy that my college