Relocating hot water cylinder into attic?

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We're converting our attic, along with an extension, some internal wall moving, etc - a fair bit of work.

The existing hot press upstairs is quite small, especially when half of it is taken up with a hot water cylinder. Making the press bigger isn't really practical without compromising adjacent rooms.

We're considering installing a new hwc in the enclosed loft area in the attic, freeing up space in the hot press for more linen storage etc. To facilitate airing, we were planning to have a false bottom with grilled cover in the press, and unlagged radiator pipes running through it (used this idea previously in a walk-in wardrobe and it worked well).

Since both upstairs bathrooms are being remodelled, along with the downstairs kitchen, the pipework would be getting updated anyway. Location in the loft would be roughly directly above both bathrooms (which are back-to-back), whereas the existing hot press is on the far side of the upstairs landing, so the pipe run distance may if anything be shorter. There's a new shower room going into the attic which would also benefit.

Another plus is that if we add solar panels to the roof to keep the hot water topped up, there's less of a pipe run from the solar panels to the cylinder.

So my question: are there any downsides to this that I've overlooked? Is this commonly done now that modern cylinders are so well insulated?

Thanks,

Eddy

ircoha

Nice to see shorter pipe runs being considered at the design stage.:).

Am not clear on where the cold water storage feed tank will be in relation to the new HWC.

As you are no doubt aware for the HWC cylinder to fill completely in an open, or non-pressurized system, the top of it should ideally be at or below about 2" above the bottom of the cold water tank.

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ircoha wrote: »

As you are no doubt aware for the HWC cylinder to fill completely in an open, or non-pressurized system, the top of it should ideally be at or below about 2" above the bottom of the cold water tank.

Hmm ... good point! That's common sense, but I hadn't quite followed through the implications of having both tanks on the same level.

There's a reasonable height in the attic, so should be possible to have the cold water tank above the hwc with a little careful planning.

Thanks,

Eddy

davidoco

Or you could go with a pressurised hot water cylinder. More controls and safety devices but good pressure at all taps. You may also require a booster pump from the cold storage to the cylinder if your incoming mains water has poor pressure. You are going to need a booster/pump for your attic shower anyhow so the cost would be comparative.

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davidoco wrote: »

Or you could go with a pressurised hot water cylinder. More controls and safety devices but good pressure at all taps. You may also require a booster pump from the cold storage to the cylinder if your incoming mains water has poor pressure. You are going to need a booster/pump for your attic shower anyhow so the cost would be comparative.

Useful diagram davidoco; thanks!

Looks pretty straightforward ... where we're currently living (different location) has poor water pressure and a pump to fill the tank already, and I don't even notice it unless I'm up in the attic so I'd imagine this would be pretty painless.

owen85

i know this thread is really old but hopefully ill get a response.

im thinking of putting my gas boiler (vented through the roof) cold water storage tank and hwc in the attic too.

my current attic joists span a distance of approx. 5 meters. theres no block bracing between them.

my QUESTION: would i need to double up on joists to take the weight of both tank and cylinder when full of water?

a secondary question, when the time comes to getting the boiler serviced, do tradesmen turn down the job/ charge extra if they have to work in the attic....keeping in mind youd have to duck your head a bit when in the attic.

BryanF

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