Question from Shaun Mccoy, via e-mail:
Can a copper cylinder be positioned on its side in the loft under a cold water storage tank? If so how do you support it on its side?
Answer from Martyn Bridges, director of marketing & technical support at Worcester:
An ordinary domestic cylinder is constructed in such a way that it is designed to be sited vertically. The top and bottom ends of the cylinder are significantly stronger and of thicker copper material than the sides and it is highly likely a cylinder lying on its side will develop a weakness and potentially “bulge” where the weight is.
There is also a likelihood that the cylinder performance and stratification is seriously affected and as an example a 150 litre capacity cylinder will produce nothing like 150 litres if positioned horizontally.
Finally a 150mm head of pressure is not sufficient to provide a reasonable flow of water and the general recommendation is at least a 1 metre head.
To conclude I would recommend the low pressure cylinder is replaced with either a Combi boiler or a mains pressure unvented cylinder, neither of which require a cold water storage cistern to provide it with water.