Most people can't live without hot water. After all, who wants to go to the gym in freezing temperatures, only to pour a glass of water and be left with an icy drink? Not the type of person I'd like to meet in a gym. And what's the point of going somewhere else to get hot water when you could do it yourself, simply and cheaply?
The problem is, not everyone is blessed with an internal hot-water cylinder. For those who are not, life is a bit more complicated. That's why we've collected some of the best solutions available today. These are ideal for people who want to keep their hot water at home, for personal use. They are also the perfect replacement for your old, inefficient tank.
Fully Insulated Cylinder
One of the best solutions available today is the insulated hot water cylinder replacement auckland . The best part is that it doesn't just keep your hot water hot. It also keeps it cool, too! If you buy one of these, you'll need to invest in a bit of insulation, which is something you might not have considered before. It can be a pain to keep your finger on the pulse of your hot water, particularly if it's a bit chilly where you are. It can also be a safety risk, as you could easily scald yourself if the water is not at the right temperature. But with an insulated hot water cylinder, there's no need to worry about that. Your hot water will be at the right temperature, whenever you need it, and you won't hurt yourself in the process.
There still are a few things to consider before buying one of these. For instance, make sure you have the necessary clearance around the area where you'll install it. Also, you'll need to check if there's already a tank there before you start installing the new one. If not, you might have to move a bit, to give yourself enough room to work. Last but not least, take your time choosing the right sized one. If you think you'll need to replace your hot water cylinder frequently, then go for a bigger one. Otherwise, a smaller one will suffice.
Direct Drive Cylinder
A direct drive cylinder is similar to the insulated one, but it doesn't need any kind of additional equipment to work. With a direct drive cylinder, the only thing you need to do is connect the pipe threading on the top, and the bottom, then pour in your water and turn the knob. Simple as that. No mess. No worries.
These are a bit more expensive than the usual ones, but they're also a bit more efficient, simply because there's no insulation to deal with. You can also find direct drive heaters in larger sizes, if you'd like. Just be careful not to exceed the weight limit, otherwise, you might end up in a bit of a pickle. The direct drive cylinder is also a bit more reliable, and a common point of concern for many people, is whether or not their hot water cylinder is going to break down, or malfunction. With a direct drive cylinder, there's less of a chance of that happening, simply because it doesn't have any moving parts. It's also much easier to maintain. We all know how expensive it can be to have to buy a new hot water cylinder after only using it for a couple of years. With a direct drive cylinder, you're avoiding most of that cost, simply by replacing it after only a couple of years of usage. It also makes a good replacement for those who already have a boiler, and are simply looking for a hot-water dispenser or a fridge-freezer. Using a direct drive cylinder is also more convenient, when you're on the go. You can set the temperature precisely, without having to worry about whether or not your tank is going to run out of hot water before you get there. With a direct drive cylinder, you're always going to have plenty of hot water, whenever you need it, simply by turning the knob. Convenience like this makes a lot of people consider this type of hot-water dispenser. And as we already discussed, it doesn't need any additional clearance, so it can be installed almost anywhere, within reason, of course.
Hybrids
Hybrids are, simply put, a combination of the two previous solutions. They're usually cheaper than a direct drive cylinder, and they require less maintenance. As a result, many people consider them a good alternative for people who need a quick and dirty solution, simply because they're more affordable, and easier to use
Trap Door Cylinder
Another solution that's caught the attention of many, is the trap door cylinder. These are perfect for people who need a bit more space for their hot water. Simply put, a trap door cylinder is a cylinder with a hinged lid. When you pour your water in, it initially fills the entire tank. But when you close the lid, it will only fill up until the midpoint. The rest of the space is filled by air. As a result, most people use these types of cylinders when they have two, or more, sinks they want to connect. It's also a good solution for people with limited room, simply because you can get an entire sink with one of these cylinders. It also helps if you have a few rooms, as it may end up being more cost-efficient in the long run, to install a couple of these, than to keep buying new, smaller tanks, whenever you need more hot water.
Pelican Packaging
Pelican packaging is, as the name would suggest, an alternative packaging solution for your hot water cylinder. It's designed after the long-beaked bird, the pelican, and it's very similar to the famous ‘duck-tail' canisters found everywhere. These are also known as ‘water-saving containers', or ‘water-saving dispensers'. We've all seen those transparent containers with the cute ducks or penguins on them. Well, the pelican packaging is actually made of the same materials as those transparent containers, and it was originally designed to save water. When you buy one of these containers, you're not just getting a reusable water container. You're also getting a stylish one, at that! It's a great alternative for people who want to keep their water cool, for long periods of time. Especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we're all trying to be more eco-friendly and save as much water as we can. These containers are also dishwasher safe, so you don't have to worry about washing them by hand, after every use. Some models even come with a built-in drying rack, where you can place your wet dishes, after washing them. It's a convenient and hygenic solution! Many people prefer these types of containers, because they're easy to use and clean. Some models have an additional stopper, which is similar to the one on a standard water tank. This makes it even more reliable, in case you do run out of hot water. If you have a dishwasher, this type of container is a good option, simply because it's designed for multi-use. You can put it in the dishwasher, after every wash, and it won't clog up the machine. These are also safe for children to use, as they haven't been tested on animals, like most food containers have been. However, make sure you follow the instructions, carefully. Many models have a limited life span, and you'll need to change the rubber washer, on the top of the container, every six months, otherwise it will wear out.
Final Takeaway
The main takeaway from this article is that there are a lot of good solutions available for people who need hot water. Whether it's a one-off, or a regular, daily use. Simply put, there are a lot of good options available, and it might be worth considering whether or not to replace your current solution with one of these. A word of caution, though. Make sure you read the reviews before you buy one of these. This way, you'll know what to expect, in terms of good, and bad points. Also, make sure you read the instructions, carefully. This will ensure that you don't end up using the wrong equipment, or the wrong way. If you check all of these points, and follow them carefully, then you're sure to have a good experience, with one of these alternatives. And for those who are trying to be more eco-friendly, and save as much water as they can, these are the types of solutions they may find useful.