Beginner question about water heater - can it be taken out?

[Bouncebacker]

We moved in to our house 5 years ago- it’s a 15 year old three story town house. Our first power bill was bonkers, and we realised this water heater in the utility room was on - we switched it off, energy bills went down by 50% and we haven’t noticed any ill effects - regular boiler in the kitchen and there is plenty of hot water for showers, baths etc.

Can anyone tell me the purpose of the heater? It’s about 6 ft tall and takes up loads of space - could it be removed? As we haven’t needed it I’m not sure why it was fitted - unless it’s doing something magical even whilst it’s switched on?

We had a Huge tank like this in my family house In the 1980s but there was no hot water without it - I think it was a different type of boiler though - Why would a modern house with a modern boiler have a huge tank like this?

Any thoughts? Anyone had one taken out and have an idea of cost? I could have an airing cupboard if it wasn’t there (ooooh - life long dream 🤣😂)

I have one of these, it's for hot water storage but also acts as an immersion heater, should you need it to. I think you can only take it out if you have a combi boiler to make instant hot water. But your hot water pressure in the shower might be lower if you did. You need Pigletjohn to help.
@Pigletjohn

Is your other boiler a combi? If not I assume you're still using that tank and it's just the immersion you switched off?

I have a modern boiler and a tank like that. They're much better for larger houses I find, when hot water is more in demand.

It's an unvented cyclinder. Probably installed to assist with good water pressure. As it's heated via an electric element, its a good back up in case your boiler packs up. It's quite expensive, so I would leave it.

If OP doesn't have a combi, she won't have any hot water at all if she removes it!

Hi @Bouncebacker no, don't take it out. It allows the boiler to run at its most efficient setting and means you can have hot showers etc.

It is an unvented hot water cylinder.

If you have a gas boiler, then it us pretty certain that the boiler heats it. If not, there is something wrong.

It is fitted with electric immersion heaters as a standby, you can turn the on on the rare occasions when your boiler breaks down.

Since energy from electricity costs around five times as much as energy from gas, the immersion heaters should be switched off at all other times.

P.s.

An unvented cylinder, heated by a gas boiler, gives the best hot water supply you can get.

Yes, I'd imagine you have a system boiler so that tank is where your hot water is stored. If you wanted to take it out then you'd need to get a combi boiler instead. You tend to get much better pressure and flow with a system boiler and tank.

The switch is only useful if your boiler isn't working for some reason as you can still get hot water via heating it through electricity. Expensive but good for emergencies. But with it off, your boiler will be heating the water inside.

Is your gas boiler a combi? If not, then you need to keep it - it's storing your hot water. Better than a standard hot water tank because it stores at mains pressure so you get lovely showers without the need for a pump.