Gledhill ES 200L Direct Unvented Cylinder

The Gledhill ES 200L Direct Unvented Cylinder Stainless Steel provides dependable mains-pressure hot water for family homes, larger properties and households with higher hot water demand.

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Two 3kW electric immersion heaters heat the stored water. Therefore, this direct cylinder is suitable for an all-electric property or a home without a suitable boiler connection.

Gledhill manufactures the inner vessel from highly corrosion-resistant duplex stainless steel. In addition, effective insulation helps retain heat and reduce standing heat loss.

Because the cylinder connects directly to the incoming mains water supply, it can provide strong hot water flow to suitable showers, baths and taps without needing a traditional cold-water storage tank in the loft.

What Is the Gledhill ES 200L Direct Cylinder?

The Gledhill Stainless ES 200L Direct is an electrically heated unvented hot water cylinder with the model number SESINPDR200.

Although it belongs to Gledhill’s nominal 200-litre size category, the latest manufacturer installation manual lists a total stored-water capacity of approximately 190 litres.

Because it is a direct cylinder, immersion heaters provide the main source of heat. It does not contain a primary heating coil for connection to a gas, oil or conventional system boiler.

Meanwhile, its unvented design takes cold water directly from the incoming mains. As hot water leaves the cylinder, mains water replaces it. Therefore, the installation does not need a traditional feed-and-expansion tank in the loft.

This combination makes the SESINPDR200 a practical option for larger all-electric homes, apartments without gas, replacement electric-cylinder installations and properties using an economy electricity tariff.

Main Features and Benefits

Gledhill ES 200L Direct Technical Specification

Gledhill may update its products and technical literature. Therefore, specifications should always be checked against the latest manufacturer manual before ordering or installation.

How Does a Direct Unvented Cylinder Work?

A direct cylinder uses electric immersion heaters inside the vessel to heat the stored water. Unlike an indirect cylinder, it does not rely on hot water circulated from a boiler through an internal heating coil.

The Gledhill ES 200L Direct has two 3kW immersion heaters. The lower heater normally heats most of the stored water, while the upper heater can provide a faster top-up when additional hot water is required.

Installers may arrange the immersion heaters for off-peak and on-peak operation. For example, the lower heater may heat the main body of water during a cheaper overnight electricity period. The upper heater can then provide additional hot water during the day.

This arrangement may suit properties using an Economy 7, Economy 10 or another suitable time-of-use electricity tariff. However, electricity prices and household usage vary, so customers should compare tariffs carefully.

The unvented side of the system works differently from a traditional gravity-fed cylinder. Cold water enters from the incoming mains under pressure. When a hot tap or shower opens, hot water leaves the cylinder and fresh mains water replaces it.

Consequently, outlet flow depends heavily on the property’s incoming mains pressure, flow rate and pipework. A larger cylinder can store more hot water, but it cannot improve a poor incoming water supply.

Who Is the Gledhill ES 200L Direct Suitable For?

The Gledhill ES 200L Direct Unvented Cylinder may suit:

• Medium to larger family homes
• Properties with several occupants
• Larger flats, apartments and maisonettes
• Homes without a gas supply
• Properties without a suitable boiler connection
• Homes with more than one bathroom
• Households with moderate to higher hot water demand
• Properties using off-peak electricity tariffs
• Replacement electric-cylinder installations
• Installations that may benefit from a secondary hot water return

However, cylinder selection should not rely only on the number of bedrooms. The correct size depends on how many people use hot water, the type of outlets installed and whether several outlets operate close together.

For example, a property with a large bath, high-flow shower and several occupants may use considerably more hot water than another property with the same number of bedrooms.

Is a 200L Direct Cylinder Large Enough?

A cylinder in the 200-litre size category can often serve a family home with moderate or higher hot water demand. It may provide additional storage compared with a 150L or 170L cylinder, which can help during busy morning and evening periods.

However, an installer should consider the complete usage pattern before selecting a cylinder. Important factors include:

• The number of permanent occupants
• The number of bathrooms, showers and en-suites
• The size and type of baths
• The flow rate of the showers
• Whether several outlets will run at the same time
• The temperature of the incoming cold water
• The desired stored-water temperature
• The time available to reheat the cylinder
• The incoming mains water pressure and flow
• Available cupboard or plant-room space

If the cylinder is too small, the household may run out of hot water during periods of high demand. In contrast, an unnecessarily large cylinder may cost more to purchase and can use more energy than required.

A qualified installer can assess the property and recommend the most suitable capacity.

200L Direct Versus 170L Direct

The 200L model provides more stored hot water than the Gledhill ES 170L Direct. Therefore, it may suit a property with more occupants, larger baths or greater simultaneous demand.

The larger model does not automatically provide greater water pressure. Both cylinders depend on the available incoming mains supply. The main difference is the amount of hot water stored.

Mains Water Requirements

An unvented cylinder can only deliver the water supplied to it. Therefore, good incoming mains pressure and flow are essential.

Gledhill advises that optimum performance requires approximately 3 bar dynamic inlet pressure and 30 litres per minute of incoming flow. The Stainless ES can operate below these figures, but the available performance may reduce.

The available water must also be shared between every operating outlet. For example, opening a cold kitchen tap while a shower is running may affect the shower flow if the incoming supply cannot meet the combined demand.

A qualified installer should test the dynamic pressure and flow before recommending or installing the cylinder. This check becomes particularly important in larger properties where more than one bathroom or shower may operate at the same time.

Space and Installation Requirements

Before ordering, check that the property has enough space for the cylinder, expansion vessel, valves, connected pipework and future maintenance access.

The cylinder itself measures approximately 1304mm high and 530mm in diameter. However, additional clearance will be required above the unit for the hot water connection and around the cylinder for installation and servicing.

The base must be level and capable of supporting the full operating weight. According to the latest manufacturer data, the cylinder weighs approximately 225kg when full.

The installer must also provide suitable discharge pipework from the safety valves to an approved and visible discharge point. Installation requirements should follow Gledhill’s instructions and current Building Regulations.

What Comes with the Cylinder?

The Gledhill Stainless ES package normally includes the main components required to support an unvented installation:

• Gledhill Stainless ES 200L direct cylinder
• Two 3kW immersion heaters with controls and safety cut-outs
• Combination cold-water inlet control group
• Pressure-reducing valve
• Strainer and check valve
• Expansion relief valve
• Temperature and pressure relief valve
• 25-litre potable expansion vessel
• Expansion vessel wall bracket
• Tundish
• Technical and user literature

The combination inlet group incorporates several controls, including the pressure-reducing valve, strainer, check valve, balanced cold-water take-off, expansion relief valve and expansion-vessel connection point.

The installer may require additional pipework, valves, fittings, insulation, electrical controls and discharge components to suit the property.

Manufacturers can also update package contents. Therefore, check the latest product literature and supplied components before installation.

What Is a Secondary Return?

The Gledhill ES 200L Direct includes a 22mm secondary-return connection. A secondary hot water circulation system continually or periodically circulates hot water around a suitable pipework loop.

This type of system can reduce the time it takes for hot water to reach outlets located a long distance from the cylinder. Therefore, it may suit larger properties where bathrooms or taps are positioned far from the hot water store.

However, a secondary circulation system can increase heat loss from the pipework. It must be designed correctly, insulated and controlled appropriately.

An additional expansion vessel may also be required where the volume of heated secondary pipework exceeds the manufacturer’s stated limits. A qualified installer should design and install the circulation system.

Can It Be Used with Economy Electricity Tariffs?

The twin-immersion arrangement may be suitable for use with an off-peak electricity tariff.

Typically, the lower immersion heater heats most of the cylinder during the off-peak period. Meanwhile, the upper immersion heater can provide an on-peak boost when additional hot water is needed.

This can help households shift a proportion of their water-heating demand to a lower-cost tariff period. However, the actual saving depends on:

• The electricity tariff and unit rates
• The length of the off-peak period
• The amount of hot water used
• The cylinder thermostat settings
• The timing and control arrangement
• Standing heat loss from the cylinder and pipework

A qualified electrician and unvented-cylinder installer should confirm that the electrical supply, wiring, controls and tariff arrangement are suitable.

Why Choose the Gledhill Stainless ES Range?

Gledhill designed the Stainless ES range to provide reliable unvented-cylinder performance at a competitive price. The range combines Gledhill’s proven manufacturing experience with a highly corrosion-resistant duplex stainless steel vessel.

Key reasons to consider the Stainless ES range include:

• Competitive price compared with many premium cylinders
• Highly corrosion-resistant duplex stainless steel construction
• Direct connection to the incoming mains water supply
• Strong flow potential at suitable showers, baths and taps
• No traditional cold-water storage tank required
• Direct and indirect configurations available
• Several cylinder sizes across the range
• NSF WRC and WRAS independent approvals
• Installation components supplied with the cylinder
• Established UK hot water cylinder manufacturer

The ES range provides a straightforward option for customers who need a dependable stainless steel cylinder without paying for features they may not require.

Why Buy from SNH Tradecentre?

SNH Tradecentre supplies Gledhill cylinders to homeowners, landlords, property developers, installers and trade customers.

If you are unsure whether you need a direct or indirect cylinder, contact the SNH Tradecentre team before ordering. Checking the model type, available installation space and required capacity can help avoid ordering the wrong cylinder.

Check Price and Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Gledhill ES 200L Direct need a boiler?

No. Two electric immersion heaters heat the stored water. Therefore, the cylinder does not require a boiler-fed heating coil.

Does it provide mains-pressure hot water?

Yes. The cylinder connects directly to the incoming cold-water mains. However, actual outlet performance depends on the property’s incoming pressure, available flow rate and pipework design.

What is the actual capacity of the Gledhill ES 200L Direct?

Gledhill markets the cylinder within its nominal 200-litre range. However, the latest manufacturer installation manual lists a total volume of approximately 190 litres.

How many immersion heaters does it have?

The SESINPDR200 has two 3kW immersion heaters. The lower heater normally heats the main stored-water volume, while the upper heater can provide an additional top-up.

Can it work with Economy 7 electricity?

It may be suitable for an Economy 7 or similar off-peak tariff when connected and controlled correctly. A qualified installer and electrician should confirm the appropriate wiring and control arrangement.

How tall is the Gledhill ES 200L Direct?

The latest manufacturer technical data lists the cylinder height at approximately 1304mm and its diameter at 530mm. Additional installation and servicing clearance will be required.

Does the 200L model have a secondary return?

Yes. The 200L Direct model has a 22mm secondary-return connection for suitable hot water circulation installations.

Does an unvented cylinder improve water pressure?

An unvented cylinder can provide mains-pressure hot water, but it cannot create pressure or flow that is not available from the incoming supply. Your installer should test the mains before installation.

Can the cylinder supply more than one bathroom?

It may supply a property with more than one bathroom when the stored capacity, incoming mains supply and pipework are suitable. However, a qualified installer must assess simultaneous demand before recommending the cylinder.

What size expansion vessel comes with the cylinder?

The latest Gledhill technical data specifies a 25-litre potable expansion vessel for the D200 model.

Can I install the cylinder myself?

No. An unvented cylinder must be installed and commissioned by a suitably qualified and competent engineer with the appropriate unvented hot water or G3 qualification.

The installation must comply with current Building Regulations, electrical requirements and the manufacturer’s instructions.

How often should the cylinder be serviced?

Gledhill recommends routine maintenance by a suitably competent tradesperson. This is normally carried out at least annually, although local water conditions and system requirements may make more frequent servicing advisable.

Does the cylinder need a cold-water tank in the loft?

No. Its unvented design connects directly to the incoming mains water supply, so a traditional loft storage tank is not normally required.

Order the Gledhill ES 200L Direct Cylinder

The Gledhill ES 200L Direct Unvented Cylinder Stainless Steel offers a practical solution for electrically heated mains-pressure hot water in suitable family homes and larger properties.

Its duplex stainless steel construction provides strength and corrosion resistance, while the twin 3kW immersion heaters make it suitable for properties without a boiler-fed hot water system.

The larger stored-water volume, 25-litre expansion vessel and secondary-return connection make the SESINPDR200 a versatile choice for installations with higher hot water demand.

Always ask a qualified installer to confirm the required cylinder type, storage capacity, electrical supply, available installation space and incoming mains-water performance before ordering.

View the Gledhill ES 200L Direct Cylinder