--- title: "Unvented Cylinder Installation | R.K Plumbing & Heating" description: "Mains-pressure hot water cylinders fitted and commissioned properly by Gas Safe registered R.K Plumbing & Heating, serving Brighton, Hove and Sussex." canonical: "https://www.rkplumbingandheatingservices.com/services/unvented-cylinder-installation" --- General Plumbing # Unvented Cylinder Installation If your hot water can't keep up with the household, an unvented cylinder gives you strong, mains-pressure hot water at every tap and shower. We fit them properly, with all the safety controls checked and commissioned before we leave. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551) ![Joule unvented hot water cylinder installed in a loft with copper pipework and expansion vessels](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-05.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787000141390&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Joule unvented hot water cylinder installed in a loft with copper pipework and expansion vessels](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-05.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787000141390&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) [](#hero-img-4)[](#hero-img-1) ![Joule cylinder in a loft with white and red expansion vessels above copper risers on plywood](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20200124-04.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044979049&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Joule cylinder in a loft with white and red expansion vessels above copper risers on plywood](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20200124-04.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044979049&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) [](#hero-img-0)[](#hero-img-2) ![Unvented cylinder and plywood pipework board with red and white expansion vessels under loft rafters](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-03.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787045551977&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Unvented cylinder and plywood pipework board with red and white expansion vessels under loft rafters](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-03.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787045551977&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) [](#hero-img-1)[](#hero-img-3) ![Vaillant boiler, red heating expansion vessel and cylinder linked by copper pipework across a plywood wall](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20200124-02.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044875392&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Vaillant boiler, red heating expansion vessel and cylinder linked by copper pipework across a plywood wall](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20200124-02.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044875392&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) [](#hero-img-2)[](#hero-img-4) ![Grey unvented cylinder with copper tails and cylinder thermostat, red and white expansion vessels behind](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-02.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787045398295&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7)![Grey unvented cylinder with copper tails and cylinder thermostat, red and white expansion vessels behind](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-02.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787045398295&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) [](#hero-img-3)[](#hero-img-0) ## What's involved Unvented cylinder work covers more than fitting the tank itself, here's what's included. ### Survey and Sizing We check your mains pressure, flow rate and hot water demand to work out the right cylinder for your household. ### Cylinder Fitting The cylinder is fitted on a solid, level base with all pipework and safety controls connected correctly. ### Safety Controls and Discharge Pressure relief valves, expansion vessels and discharge pipework are fitted and routed to comply with regulations. ### Commissioning and Servicing Full pressure testing, safety checks and handover, plus ongoing annual servicing to keep the system safe. ## Better hot water pressure, done properly An unvented cylinder stores hot water under mains pressure rather than relying on a loft tank, which usually means a noticeable improvement in shower performance and enough hot water for busier households. It suits homes without loft space for a traditional tank, or anyone fed up with weak flow at the shower or multiple taps running dry. It's not a job for shortcuts, the safety controls are what keep the system working correctly year after year. We start with a proper survey, checking mains pressure, flow rate and how many bathrooms and outlets the system needs to serve. From there we size the cylinder correctly, so you're not left short on hot water or paying for more capacity than you need. The cylinder itself has to sit on a stable, level, load-bearing base, and every connection gets checked for leaks as the system is filled. > A properly commissioned cylinder should be quiet, safe and simply work every time you turn the tap. Safety controls are non-negotiable on this kind of installation. That means an isolating valve, pressure-reducing valve, non-return protection, expansion vessel, and a temperature and pressure relief valve feeding into a tundish and discharge pipe that terminates somewhere visible and safe. Getting the discharge pipework wrong is one of the most common issues we see on older or poorly fitted systems, so we take care to route it correctly from the start. More information Once everything's connected, we pressure test the system, bleed any air out and check every safety device is functioning as part of a full commissioning process. We'll talk you through how the system works and what to look out for, particularly any discharge from the tundish, which is worth mentioning to us if it ever happens. > Tidy work and a system you don't have to think about again, that's the aim. We are based in Woodingdean and cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea, Haywards Heath, Seaford, Burgess Hill and surrounding Sussex towns, and we often fit unvented cylinders alongside a bathroom refit or a new boiler installation. Annual servicing keeps the safety controls in good order, and we're happy to take that on for cylinders we've fitted or ones already in place. If you're weighing up whether an unvented cylinder is right for your home, get in touch and we'll talk through what your system can realistically support. ### Ready to talk? Get in touch and we'll come back to you to talk it through. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551) ### While you're here - [Emergency Plumber](/services/emergency-plumber)→ - [Leak Detection](/services/leak-detection)→ - [Burst Pipe Repair](/services/burst-pipe-repair)→ ## Recent work ![Row of four low-level basins on a grey splashback with chrome taps, exposed traps and mirrors above](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-commercial-fit-out-20260501-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044677978&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) May 2026 ### Nursery fit-out, first and second fix plumbing Full first and second fix plumbing for the fit-out of a new nursery, including two 250 litre unvented cylinders, twelve toilets, twelve basins, sixteen sinks and around a mile of copper pipework. The project took six weeks, from an empty warehouse to an operating nursery. ![Loft heating plant board with a red circulating pump, four zone valves and copper pipework](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-surbiton-20200220-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787000082516&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) Surbiton · February 2020 ### Unvented cylinder installation in Surbiton We completed the unvented cylinder installation on our Surbiton project, pairing a Joule cylinder with a Grundfos pump and a Vaillant boiler. The work is now finished and ready for the electricians. ![Plant room wall of copper risers, brass air vent, zone valves and a circulating pump on plywood](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20200124-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044834598&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) January 2020 ### Vaillant boiler and Joule unvented cylinder on a new build We installed a Vaillant boiler and a Joule unvented cylinder on a new build project, with the whole system tested and commissioned before the pipework was lagged. ![Grundfos circulating pump, zone valves and copper pipework clipped to a plywood board beside the cylinder](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-brighton-20181206-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787044789483&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) Brighton · December 2018 ### Boiler and unvented cylinder upgrade in Brighton A heating system upgrade in Brighton. We removed a struggling old combi boiler and replaced it with a Vaillant heat only boiler and a Megaflo unvented cylinder. ![Loft plant wall with banked copper pipework, white and red expansion vessels and a horizontal cylinder](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Frk-cylinder-installation-20180327-01.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a73367026944505f092a67a%26v%3D1787045279270&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_J3UkotoCWSfG7mH3JdDuNRVcD7J7) March 2018 ### Unvented cylinder installation in a loft An unvented cylinder installed in the new loft of a full house refurbishment. The system is up and running and ready for lagging. ## Worth considering General Plumbing ### Hot Water Cylinder Installation Tidy, fully tested vented and unvented hot water cylinder installation for homes across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. [Hot Water Cylinder Installation→](/services/hot-water-cylinder-installation) General Plumbing ### Toilet Installation Toilets repaired and fitted level, sealed and leak-tested, from a simple swap to a wall-hung pan, for homes across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. [Toilet Installation→](/services/toilet-repair-installation) General Plumbing ### Tap Repair Tidy, reliable repairs for dripping, stiff or noisy taps across Brighton, Hove and surrounding Sussex towns. [Tap Repair→](/services/tap-repair-replacement) General Plumbing ### Low Water Pressure Diagnosis and repair of low water pressure at taps, showers and appliances, for homeowners across Brighton, Hove and Sussex. [Low Water Pressure→](/services/low-water-pressure) General Plumbing ### Pipework Repair Tidy, tested repairs for leaking, burst or corroded pipework, serving Brighton, Hove and nearby Sussex towns. [Pipework Repair→](/services/pipework-repair) General Plumbing ### Immersion Heater Replacement Faulty immersion heater? R.K Plumbing & Heating replace elements and seals safely, restoring hot water without fuss. [Immersion Heater Replacement→](/services/immersion-heater-replacement) ## Before you book Here's what homeowners usually ask us before going ahead with an unvented cylinder. How long does an unvented cylinder installation take? Most straightforward installations take a day, though it can take longer if there's extra pipework, an old tank to remove, or the base needs preparing. Do I need mains pressure checked before installing one? Yes, mains pressure and flow rate need to be adequate for an unvented cylinder to perform properly, we check this as part of the survey before recommending a system. Is an unvented cylinder safe? Yes, when installed and commissioned correctly with all the required safety controls, an unvented cylinder is a safe and reliable way to store hot water under pressure. Do unvented cylinders need annual servicing? Yes, the safety controls such as the pressure relief valve and expansion vessel need checking annually to make sure they're working correctly. Will I need extra electrical or plumbing work done? Sometimes, depending on your existing setup, an old tank may need removing and some homes need minor plumbing or electrical changes to accommodate the new cylinder, we'll flag this during the survey. Are you qualified to install unvented cylinders? Yes. We are Gas Safe registered for domestic gas work, registration 568345, and an accredited Vaillant installer, and every unvented cylinder we fit is fully commissioned and safety checked before we hand it over. Do you cover my area? We are based in Woodingdean and cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Lewes, Shoreham-by-Sea, Haywards Heath, Seaford, Burgess Hill and surrounding Sussex towns. What happens if the tundish discharges water? An occasional discharge can be normal, but frequent or continuous discharge usually points to a fault, get in touch and we'll come out to check the system. ## Let's talk about your hot water Give us a call or send a message and we'll talk through whether an unvented cylinder is the right fit for your home. [Call 01273 911551](tel:+441273911551)