Installation, repairs and maintenance for hot water systems of every type.
Chiswick has an even mix of traditional storage cylinders fed from a tank in the loft and modern unvented systems that run straight off mains pressure. We work with both, from urgent fault-finding and repairs to complete replacements and upgrades.
Unvented systems need an annual service by a suitably qualified engineer. Regular checks keep the cylinder safe, efficient and covered by its manufacturer warranty.
Professional installation of new hot water systems from all major brands, with compliance certification and manufacturer warranty.
We size the system to match the number of occupants and peak demand (a shower running at the same time as a washing machine). Unvented systems over 15 litres must be installed and commissioned by a suitably qualified engineer.
No hot water, a leaking tank, strange noises? We diagnose and fix hot water system faults quickly.
No hot water, an odd hissing noise, or water dripping from a pressure relief valve are typical signs of a worn expansion vessel or a faulty thermostat. Diagnosis includes checking the safety valves that keep a pressurised system running safely.
Regular servicing extends the life of your system and keeps it running efficiently: safety checks, cleaning and worn-part replacement.
An annual service on an unvented system covers the pressure relief valve, the expansion vessel and the thermostat — the three components responsible for keeping a system running safely at temperatures above 90°C under pressure.
Reliable electric hot water systems with timer controls for off-peak heating — a cost-effective option in a range of tank sizes.
An electric storage unit with a timer is a good fit where there's no other heat source or a self-contained part of the property needs its own supply — an extension or an annexe, for example.
Upgrade to strong, consistent mains-pressure hot water without needing a cold-water tank in the loft.
We install, commission and service unvented cylinders, including all required safety controls. Every installation is sized for the property and completed by a suitably qualified engineer.
Replace an old, inefficient hot water system with a modern energy-efficient model. We handle removal, disposal and new installation.
Replacing a system older than 12–15 years usually pays for itself through lower heat loss and more reliable performance. We remove and dispose of the old unit in line with current regulations.
We confirm the symptoms (no hot water, weak pressure, unusual noises) and the type of system, if known, so we can bring the right parts.
The engineer inspects the system on site, checks the thermostat, pressure relief valve and expansion vessel, and confirms the cause and cost before work starts.
We explain the recommended repair, replacement or installation and confirm the cost before work begins.
We complete the agreed repair, replacement or installation using parts suited to the system.
We test the pressure, temperature and safety controls, then confirm that hot water is flowing correctly.
We leave the area tidy and explain maintenance needs, warranty requirements and when the next service is due.
An unvented system needs servicing every 12 months. This is the basic condition for running a system safely that stores water under mains pressure at high temperature. During the service, the engineer checks the pressure relief valve, expansion vessel and thermostat, since a fault in any of these could allow pressure to build beyond safe limits. Skipping the annual service also typically invalidates the manufacturer's warranty, meaning you'd be liable for the full cost of any repair that would otherwise have been covered. We keep a record of service dates for customers so you'll know when the next one is due.
The cost varies depending on the type of system (a simple electric storage cylinder is generally cheaper than a full unvented installation), its size, and how straightforward the connection is. Access matters too: a system tucked into a small airing cupboard or requiring new pipework to reach it will cost more to install than a straightforward like-for-like swap in an easily accessible spot. We always confirm the exact price after inspecting the property in person, since quoting accurately over the phone without seeing the existing setup risks under- or over-estimating the job. Where relevant, we'll also talk you through the running-cost differences between options, since the cheapest system to install isn't always the cheapest to run long-term.
This is a common complaint in older gravity-fed (vented) systems, where hot water pressure depends on the height difference between the loft tank and the outlet. Upstairs showers sit closer to the tank than downstairs taps, so they often suffer the weakest pressure in the whole house, sometimes making a decent shower almost impossible. A shower pump installed on the hot and cold feeds is usually the most cost-effective fix, boosting pressure specifically where it's needed. Alternatively, switching the whole property to an unvented, mains-pressure system removes the height dependency entirely and gives consistent pressure throughout, though it's a larger job with a bigger upfront cost.
A standard like-for-like replacement, where the new unit goes in the same spot with the same connections, usually takes about one working day from removal of the old system to commissioning the new one. Jobs that involve upgrading from a vented to an unvented system, moving the cylinder's location, or running new pipework typically take longer, sometimes two days or more, since additional pipework and fittings need to be installed and tested. We'll always give you a realistic timeframe once we've seen the existing setup. Hot water is usually unavailable for at least part of the working day, so it's worth planning around that if possible.
A vented system stores water in a cylinder fed by gravity from a cold water tank in the loft, and it operates at relatively low, variable pressure that depends on the tank's height above the outlets. An unvented system connects directly to the mains and delivers strong, consistent pressure to every hot and cold outlet in the house without relying on a header tank. The trade-off is that unvented systems need annual servicing by a qualified engineer to remain safe and within warranty, and installation is more involved, so the upfront cost is higher. Which is "better" depends on your priorities: if strong, even pressure throughout the house matters to you and you're comfortable with the annual servicing requirement, unvented is usually worth the investment; if you're looking for the simplest and cheapest option to maintain, a vented system may still suit you fine.
This depends on your household's hot water demand and how the property is used. A cylinder-based system is generally better suited to larger households or properties where multiple hot water outlets might be used at the same time, since a combi boiler heats water on demand and can struggle to keep up with simultaneous heavy use. Conversely, a combi setup can free up airing cupboard space and avoids the need for a separate cold water tank, which suits smaller properties or flats well. We're happy to talk through your household's actual usage pattern during a visit and give an honest recommendation.