Electric Hot Water Cylinders
Cylinder Overview
Electric hot water cylinders use an electric heating element to heat the water in the cylinder, providing a constant supply of hot water.
- Suitable for most NZ households
- Available in a wide range of sizes
- Models can be compatible with heat pump, solar, or wetback systems
- Typically, less maintenance than other systems
For an in-depth analysis on which cylinder is right for you, read our article on Electric Hot Water Cylinders.
How Cylinders Work
Electric hot water cylinders are the most common form of hot water heating system found in New Zealand. These consist of an insulated cylinder tank usually made from copper, stainless steel or vitreous enamel-lined steel.
Cold water enters the tank and is then heated by an electric element controlled by a thermostat to a temperature above 60oC. When hot water is required throughout the house, the hot water is drawn from the top of the tank. It is then replaced with cold water at the bottom to be heated back to temperature.
The most common sizes of electric hot water cylinders are 135 litres or 180 litres for standard households and 250l and 300l cylinders for larger homes.
Electric hot water cylinders can be configured for mains-pressure or low-pressure setups depending on the cylinder type and hot water valves used based on household requirements.
