Hot Water Cylinder Sizing for Your Whirlpool Bath
Ensuring your home has an adequate hot water supply is a critical step before installing a new whirlpool bath. A correctly sized hot water cylinder is essential for a truly luxurious and warm bath, allowing you to fully enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the jets.
Why a correctly sized cylinder is crucial
The performance of your whirlpool bath isn't just about the pump; it's also about the volume of hot water available. If your cylinder is too small, you may only be able to fill the bath partially with hot water, leading to a lukewarm or even cold bath experience. A full, hot bath is essential to activate the therapeutic benefits of the water jets and enjoy the full experience.
For a standard 1700x700mm whirlpool bath, you will need approximately 160-180 litres of water. Since a portion of this will be cold water from the tap, you need to ensure your hot water cylinder can supply enough to reach your desired temperature.
How to calculate your required hot water volume
To determine if your cylinder is sufficient, you need to know both the capacity of your bath and the capacity of your hot water cylinder. You should also factor in the mix of hot and cold water. As a rule of thumb, a typical bath requires around 70-80% hot water to achieve a comfortable temperature, with the remainder being cold water.
If your bath is 180 litres, you would need approximately 144 litres of hot water (80% of 180). Your hot water cylinder should be at least this size to guarantee a full, hot fill. We highly recommend measuring your current cylinder or checking its specifications to be certain.
What to do if your cylinder is too small
If your current hot water system doesn't meet the requirements for a full fill, you have a few options to consider:
- Upgrade your cylinder: The most straightforward solution is to replace your existing cylinder with a larger model. This will give you the capacity to fill your bath and provide hot water for other household needs.
- Install an inline heater: Many of our whirlpool systems can be equipped with an inline water heater. This clever feature automatically maintains the temperature of the water as it circulates through the jets, ensuring your bath stays perfectly hot for the duration of your soak, even if the initial fill was slightly cooler.
- Consider a larger boiler: If you have a combi boiler, you may need a model with a higher flow rate to fill the bath effectively.
Ready to choose?
Explore our range of whirlpool baths, knowing you have the right hot water solution in place.