What Size Megaflo/What Size Unvented Cylinder Do I Need?

Unvented Cylinder Sizing for Homes in Bourne PE10

If you are in Bourne PE10, Stamford or Market Deeping and you are choosing a Megaflo or any unvented hot water cylinder, sizing it to your household is essential. As a local mechanical, electrical and renewables contractor, we install and maintain systems across Bourne and surrounding villages including Deeping St James, Spalding, Thurlby and more. Below is a clear, practical guide written from the point of view of engineers who work in South Lincolnshire every day.

What Size Unvented Cylinder Do I Need in Bourne

There are two sensible ways to size an unvented cylinder. You can size by the number of regular occupants or by the realistic number of bathrooms and hot water outlets used at the same time. For most Bourne homes we recommend sizing by occupants, then checking it against your bathroom use to avoid storing water you will not use.

Quick guide by household size

• One to two people and one bathroom. Consider 120 to 150 litres.
• Three to four people and one to two bathrooms. Consider 170 to 210 litres.
• Four to five people and two bathrooms or frequent back to back showers. Consider 210 to 250 litres.
• Large families or three bathrooms in regular use. Consider 250 to 300 litres.

These ranges suit typical usage in Bourne and surrounding villages. Homes with large soaking tubs, high flow rain showers or multiple en suites may need to step up one size.

Direct and indirect cylinders in PE10

Direct unvented cylinders heat the water with immersion heaters and are common where there is no gas or where a heat pump provides hot water separately. Indirect unvented cylinders are heated by a boiler or heat pump through a coil inside the cylinder. Either type can be paired with solar PV immersion control to reduce running costs in Bourne homes.

Pressure, flow and why Bourne properties differ

Unvented systems rely on your incoming mains. We routinely test static pressure and dynamic flow at site surveys around Bourne, Langtoft, Baston and Tallington. If your mains is restricted, a larger cylinder will not fix poor performance. In these cases we look at mains upgrades, dedicated supplies or approved accumulator solutions.

New builds and water efficiency

Recent new builds around Bourne often include low flow fixtures, spray taps and flow regulators to meet building control requirements. This can reduce peak demand, which means you can sometimes select a smaller cylinder without losing comfort. For example, a new build three bed in Elsea Park with two efficient showers may be comfortable on a 170 to 200 litre unit.

Rural properties and higher demand

Rural homes in Rippingale, Edenham, Folkingham and Corby Glen that are switching from oil or LPG to renewables often have larger baths and higher hot water expectations. These properties may benefit from 250 to 300 litres, especially when paired with an air source heat pump where longer heat recovery needs to be considered.

How we size your Megaflo or unvented cylinder

• Occupants and habits. Showers, baths, and how many back to back uses happen in the morning or evening.
• Bathrooms in real use. Not just bedrooms. We check which bathrooms are used together.
• Mains test. We measure static pressure and running flow at the kitchen tap and nearest external point.
• Heating source. Boiler or heat pump recovery rates affect the ideal cylinder volume and coil selection.
• Future plans. Loft conversions, en suite additions or a move to solar PV make a difference.

Typical Bourne scenarios and recommendations

Two person apartment near Bourne town centre

One shower, compact space. A 120 to 150 litre direct or indirect cylinder usually provides comfortable performance and quick heat up.

Family home in Deeping St James

Four people, two showers in short succession. A 200 to 210 litre indirect cylinder with good mains flow is a strong fit.

Village farmhouse in Edenham

Five people, large bath used at weekends. A 250 to 300 litre indirect cylinder with priority hot water control maintains comfort.

Direct vs indirect in plain terms

• Choose direct if you are all electric or want to use solar PV via an immersion controller for daytime top up.
• Choose indirect if you have a gas boiler or an air source heat pump. This is the most common route in PE10.

Do not oversize without reason

A study often quoted in the industry shows many households use only around half of their stored hot water in a typical day. Oversizing increases standing losses and running costs. We balance comfort with efficiency so you heat only what you need.

Local proof and how we work

We look after small commercial units on Bourne industrial estates, modern new builds, and older properties in villages like Greatford and Pointon. We handle upgrades during kitchen and bathroom refurbs, and we plan unvented systems alongside boiler replacements, rewires and heat pump installations so the whole home works as one system.

Next steps with a heating engineer near Bourne

• Request a site visit for cylinder sizing, mains testing and a clear written proposal.
• Book your boiler service in Bourne so we can assess recovery rates and hot water priorities at the same time.

Contact our Bourne team today for advice, supply and installation across Bourne and surrounding villages within about 20 miles.

Areas we cover

Bourne and surrounding villages including Stamford, Market Deeping, Deeping St James, Spalding, Thurlby, Morton, Langtoft, Baston, Rippingale, Edenham, Corby Glen, Folkingham, Billingborough, Greatford, Tallington, Pointon and nearby rural PE10 areas.

Ready to size your cylinder Request a site visit and we will confirm the right Megaflo or unvented model for your home.

tel

email

office

M&E Services (Lincs) Ltd t/a M&E Services, Red Lion Quarter, Red Lion Street, Spalding, PE11 1SX

registered office

M&E Services (Lincs) Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, England, N1 7GU. Company No: 14666876. Registered in England and Wales.