
Direct Unvented Cylinder London — Supply & Fit from £1,495
Direct (electric-only) unvented hot water cylinders installed across every London borough. Twin 3 kW immersion heaters, full G3 inlet group, Economy 7 wiring, Building Regulations Part G3 notification included. Megaflo Eco Plus Direct, Telford Hurricane, Kingspan Albion, OSO Super S and Gledhill StainlessLite specialists.
The right cylinder for all-electric London flats, solar PV homes, heat pump retrofits and properties with no gas supply. Fixed-price quote on site before any work begins.
A direct unvented cylinder is a sealed pressurised hot water store heated only by electric immersion heaters — no boiler involved. It is the right choice for all-electric London flats, solar PV homes and heat pump retrofits. ERL supply-and-fit pricing in London runs £1,495–£2,595 depending on size, with twin 3 kW immersions, full G3 group, Economy 7 wiring and Building Regulations Part G3 notification all included. Call 0207 046 1363 for a fixed-price quote.
What is a direct unvented cylinder?
A direct unvented cylinder is a sealed, mains-pressure hot water store heated only by electric immersion heaters. There is no boiler primary coil, no central heating involvement, no flow and return pipework. The cylinder lives entirely on the electric supply — typically two 3 kW immersion elements bolted through the cylinder body, one near the bottom and one near the top, each on its own thermostat and isolator.
The reason London property owners pick direct over indirect is almost always pragmatic. The flat or house has no gas supply. The boiler has been removed in an air-source heat pump retrofit. The customer is on a solar PV array with an immersion diverter feeding free electricity into the bottom element. The mansion-block freehold won't allow a new gas run to the upper floors. Every London estate built since 2018 with all-electric heating defaults to a direct cylinder in the airing cupboard.
The cylinder itself runs at mains pressure — typically 3.0–3.5 bar after the inlet pressure-reducing valve — so every hot tap and shower feels as strong as the cold. The compliance and safety story is identical to an indirect unvented cylinder: Approved Document G3, BS EN 12897, four layered safety devices, Benchmark logbook, annual G3 service. The difference is the heat source, and that simplification (no primary circuit, no boiler interlock, no motorised valve) is what makes direct cylinder installs typically a half-day rather than a full day. For the full route map between direct, indirect, vented and unvented, see our hub guide on hot water cylinder replacement London.
Sizing guide — direct unvented cylinder by London property
Direct cylinders need a slightly more generous sizing than indirect because the immersion recovery time is longer — you cannot rely on a fast gas reheat between back-to-back showers. Size up one bracket if everyone in the household showers inside the same hour, or if the property is on a single-rate tariff and you cannot lean on overnight Economy 7 reheats.
| Size | Best for | Recovery | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120L | 1-bed flat / 1 occupant / 1 bathroom | Twin 3 kW: ~3.5 hours cold-to-60°C | £1,495 |
| 150L | 2-bed flat / 2 occupants / 1 bathroom | Twin 3 kW: ~4.2 hours cold-to-60°C | £1,595 |
| 180L | 2-3 bed flat / 3 occupants / 1 bathroom | Twin 3 kW: ~5.0 hours cold-to-60°C | £1,745 |
| 210L | 3-bed terrace / 3-4 occupants / 1 bathroom | Twin 3 kW: ~5.8 hours cold-to-60°C | £1,895 |
| 250L | 3-4 bed family home / 2 bathrooms (off-peak only) | Twin 3 kW: ~6.9 hours cold-to-60°C | £2,195 |
| 300L | 4-5 bed home / 2-3 bathrooms (Economy 7 essential) | Twin 3 kW: ~8.3 hours cold-to-60°C | £2,595 |
* Fitted prices include VAT, twin 3 kW immersions, full G3 group, discharge pipework, commissioning and Building Regulations notification. Vented-to-direct conversion adds £350–£500.
Direct vs indirect unvented — which do you need?
The choice is dictated by your heat source. If you have a working gas, oil or LPG boiler serving central heating, an indirect cylinder is normally faster and cheaper to run. If you have no gas, an all-electric flat, a heat pump that doesn't serve DHW, or a solar PV array with an immersion diverter, a direct cylinder is the right pick.
| Factor | Direct unvented | Indirect unvented |
|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Electric immersion heaters only — typically twin 3 kW elements built into the cylinder. | Boiler primary coil heats the stored water indirectly. Immersion is backup only. |
| Best for | All-electric flats and homes, no gas supply, properties with heat pumps or solar PV, off-grid London builds. | Homes with a working gas, oil or LPG system boiler that already serves central heating. |
| Recovery time | Slower — 4–8 hours full reheat on 3 kW. Twin immersions running together cut this in half. | Faster — 24 kW boiler can reheat a 180L tank in under 60 minutes from cold. |
| Running cost (UK avg) | Peak electric ~28p/kWh. Economy 7 night rate ~12p/kWh — direct cylinders shine on dual-tariff. | Mains gas ~6.5p/kWh — typically the cheapest unit cost in a gas-supplied London property. |
| Install footprint | Smaller — no primary pipework, no motorised valve, no boiler interlock. Often a half-day install. | Larger — primary flow / return to boiler, motorised diverter or zone valve, S-plan or Y-plan wiring. |
| Suits heat pump? | Yes — direct cylinders pair with most ASHPs that have an immersion-only DHW mode, though dedicated ASHP cylinders give better COP. | Yes — preferred for ASHP / hybrid systems because the heat pump heats via the primary coil at low flow temps. |
Need the indirect version? See our indirect unvented cylinder London page. Still on a vented system? See vented-to-unvented conversion.
Brand comparison — direct unvented cylinders we fit
Every brand below is a duplex stainless steel cylinder with a 25-year tank warranty when serviced annually. The differences are parts warranty, element type, footprint and supply lead time. We carry vessels, elements and T&P valves for all six on the van.

Heatrae Sadia Megaflo Eco Plus Direct
70L–300L (direct range)Telford Hurricane Direct
120L–300LKingspan Albion Ultrasteel Direct
90L–300LGledhill StainlessLite Plus Direct
90L–300LOSO Super S Direct
150L–300LRange Tribune HE Direct
120L–300LCross-shopping a specific model? Read Megaflo Direct London, the Telford comparison, or the 2026 best cylinder pillar guide.
Direct unvented cylinder cost London — 2026 prices
Every figure below is a fixed quote given on site after a 30-minute survey. Cylinder, twin immersions, G3 inlet group, discharge pipework, electrical safety check, commissioning, Benchmark logbook and Building Regulations notification all included. No hidden parts mark-up, no parking add-ons, no surveyor fee.
| Job | What's included | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Direct unvented install — 120L (1-bed flat) | Supply & fit 120L direct unvented cylinder, twin 3kW immersions, G3 inlet group, expansion vessel, T&P, discharge pipe to outside, dedicated immersion circuit check, commissioning, Building Regs G3 notification. | £1,495 |
| Direct unvented install — 150L (2-bed flat) | 150L direct unvented (Telford Hurricane / Heatrae Sadia Megaflo Eco Plus Direct), full G3 group, twin immersion wiring, certificate. | £1,595 |
| Direct unvented install — 180L (3-bed terrace) | 180L direct cylinder, factory-fitted Economy 7 wiring loom for dual-tariff users, full G3 kit, discharge route, commissioning, certificate. | £1,745 |
| Direct unvented install — 210L (3-4 bed) | 210L direct stainless cylinder, twin 3kW immersions with separate isolators, full inlet group, discharge to outside, electrical safety check, certificate. | £1,895 |
| Direct unvented install — 250L (large family home) | 250L direct cylinder, dual immersion install, off-peak timer wiring if Economy 7 fitted, full G3 group, secondary circulation if specified, certificate. | £2,195 |
| Direct unvented install — 300L (HMO / large home) | 300L stainless steel direct cylinder, twin 3kW immersions, dedicated Economy 7 circuit, full G3 kit, commissioning, certificate posted within 30 days. | £2,595 |
| Immersion heater element replacement | Drain to immersion boss, swap element + thermostat (Megaflo / Tesla / Backer), refill, vent, electrical safety check, recommissioning. | from £225 |
| Twin immersion upgrade (single → dual) | Add second immersion to existing single-element cylinder where boss is available, new dedicated immersion circuit from CU, Economy 7 timer optional. | from £385 |
| Vented to direct unvented conversion | Strip out loft tank + vented cylinder, fit direct unvented + full G3 group, decommission loft pipework, rewire immersion circuits, Building Control notification. | from £2,495 |
| Annual G3 service (direct unvented) | Expansion vessel pre-charge, T&P witnessed lift, PRV outlet pressure, both immersion elements resistance-tested, both thermostats verified, anode check, certificate emailed. | £155 |
* Prices include VAT and Building Regulations G3 notification where applicable. Full price list on the pricing page; see also the in-depth 2026 cost guide.
Need a quote on a specific size or brand?
Call 0207 046 1363Our 5-step direct unvented install process
Free phone consultation + indicative quote
10 minCall 0207 046 1363 or WhatsApp 07456 975436 with the size you have or want, the airing-cupboard dimensions, and whether you have Economy 7. We give an indicative supply-and-fit figure on the call inside ten minutes.
On-site survey
30–40 minG3 engineer attends, measures cylinder space, confirms mains pressure (1.5 bar minimum dynamic), checks the immersion circuit at the consumer unit, plans the discharge route to outside, and issues a fixed-price written quote.
Booked install date
1–7 daysCylinder ordered from the wholesaler the same day. Typical lead time from quote to install day is 3–5 working days for standard sizes (120–250L). Larger 300L stock orders may stretch to 7 days.
Install day
4–6 hoursOld cylinder drained and decommissioned. New direct cylinder set, G3 inlet group fitted (PRV, expansion vessel, T&P, tundish), discharge pipework run to outside, immersion circuits terminated and tested, system pressurised, both elements run-up to 60°C and witnessed.
Commissioning + Benchmark
Same visitBoth safety devices witnessed-tested, thermostats verified, all readings logged into the Benchmark logbook, Building Regulations G3 notification filed via our Competent Persons Scheme, certificate posted within 30 days.
G3 compliance & Benchmark commissioning
Direct unvented cylinders are treated identically to indirect cylinders under the Building Regulations — every install is a controlled service requiring G3 qualification, notification to Building Control, and a completed Benchmark logbook entry to activate the manufacturer's 25-year tank warranty. ERL self-certifies via the WaterSafe Competent Persons Scheme; your Compliance Certificate arrives by post within 30 days of the install date.

Approved Document G3 — Hot water supply and systems
Every direct unvented cylinder over 15 litres is a controlled service. Installation, modification and commissioning must be carried out by a person holding a current G3 (BPEC HWSS) qualification, and the work notified to Building Control directly or via a Competent Persons Scheme. We self-certify via WaterSafe and BESCA — your compliance certificate is posted within 30 days.
Directly heated unvented hot water storage
The product standard that governs cylinder construction and the layered safety devices: working thermostat, non-self-resetting energy cut-out, expansion device and temperature & pressure relief valve. Every direct cylinder we fit carries the EN 12897 mark on the data plate.
18th Edition Wiring Regulations (2018+A2:2022)
Direct cylinders are entirely electric — the immersion circuits must comply with BS 7671. Each immersion needs a dedicated 16A or 20A circuit from the consumer unit, RCD-protected, on the correct cable size. We notify Part P alongside G3 where the immersion circuit is new or modified.
Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
All wetted components — PRV, expansion vessel, tundish — are WRAS-approved. The install is notifiable to Thames Water (or your supplier) where the system arrangement changes. We handle the notification on every conversion job.
Legionella control in water systems
Stored water must be held at or above 60°C and reach the furthest outlet at 50°C within one minute. Direct cylinder thermostats are commissioned to 60°C as standard. On HMO and care installs we cycle a weekly 65°C anti-legionella pasteurisation via the timer.
Hot water commissioning scheme
Every Megaflo, Telford, Kingspan, OSO, Gledhill and Range cylinder ships with a Benchmark logbook. Completion of the commissioning page is the condition that activates the 25-year tank warranty. We complete and sign every page on handover.
Want to read the regulatory deep-dive? See our G3 engineer London page for the credential framework and notification process.
Real London direct cylinder jobs
Anonymised examples from the last twelve months of direct unvented work across London. Every figure is the final invoiced amount inc. VAT — no hidden line items added afterwards.
1-bed flat, Camden — Megaflo 120L Direct install (all-electric block)
Conversion of an old vented copper cylinder + loft tank to a 120L Megaflo Eco Plus Direct in a 1980s purpose-built block with no gas supply on the floor. New G3 group, twin 3 kW immersions wired off a new 20A circuit, discharge through the external wall to the rear gully. Full day on site. Final invoice: £1,495 fitted inc. VAT, certificate posted Day 14.
Top-floor maisonette, Islington — Telford Hurricane 180L on Economy 7
Owner on Economy 7 tariff (off-peak 00:30–07:30). 180L Telford Hurricane Direct fitted with the bottom 3 kW immersion on the cheap-rate timer and the top 3 kW on a manual switch for boost. Cylinder fully heats during the night, free-rides through the day on the stored 180 litres. Cost: £1,745 fitted inc. VAT.
Converted Victorian flat, Hackney — 150L direct after ASHP retrofit
New air-source heat pump install required a direct cylinder as the customer chose immersion-only DHW (the ASHP feeds heating only). 150L Heatrae Sadia Megaflo Eco Plus Direct fitted in the same airing-cupboard footprint as the removed vented cylinder. Tied into the same Economy 7 wiring. Cost: £1,595 fitted inc. VAT.
1-bed studio, Wandsworth — failed immersion on existing direct cylinder
Tenant report: no hot water for 36 hours. Diagnosis: bottom immersion element open-circuit (resistance infinity), thermostat working. Replaced Incoloy 825 element + thermostat from van stock, recommissioned, witnessed T&P lift. Time on site: 90 minutes. Cost: £225 inc. VAT.
HMO 3-bed conversion, Tower Hamlets — 250L direct for 5 tenants
Licensed HMO with five rooms shared two bathrooms. Upgraded from a tired 150L cylinder to a 250L Kingspan Albion Ultrasteel Direct on twin Economy 7 immersions, weekly anti-legionella cycle scheduled, TMV2 outlets re-set to 43°C, written HMO compliance pack delivered. Cost: £2,195 fitted inc. VAT.
Direct unvented cylinder install this week?
Standard sizes (120–250L) fitted within 3–5 working days of survey. Same-day diagnostics on failed immersion elements, blown T&P or expansion vessel failure. Building Regulations G3 notification included on every install.
Areas covered across London
Direct unvented cylinder work carried out across every London borough. Heaviest call volumes from Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Southwark where new-build all-electric blocks dominate the cylinder market.
Frequently asked questions
What is a direct unvented cylinder?
What is the difference between a direct and indirect unvented cylinder?
How much does a direct unvented cylinder cost to install in London?
What size direct unvented cylinder do I need?
How long does a direct unvented cylinder take to heat up?
Is a direct cylinder cheaper to run than an indirect cylinder?
Do I need a G3 engineer to install a direct unvented cylinder?
Can a direct unvented cylinder be paired with solar PV?
How often does a direct unvented cylinder need servicing?
Why are immersion elements the most common failure on direct cylinders?
Will my old vented pipework work for a direct unvented?
Can a direct cylinder be installed in a top-floor London flat?
Do direct cylinders work with heat pumps?
How long does a direct unvented cylinder last?
What warranty do you provide on a new direct unvented install?
Question not answered? Call 0207 046 1363 and talk to a G3 engineer directly — no call centre, no triage.
Service area
Direct Unvented Cylinder — Greater London Coverage
G3 qualified cylinder engineers based in central London with same-day cover across all 32 London boroughs and the City. Average response time inside Zone 2 is 60 minutes for emergencies, 3–5 working days for booked installs.
Direct unvented cylinder install or repair in London?
G3 qualified engineers across every London borough. Supply-and-fit from £1,495 inc. VAT, fixed-price quote on site, Building Regulations Part G3 notification filed and Compliance Certificate posted within 30 days. £5M public liability, fully insured.
London 247 Home Services Ltd · Company No. 17120057 · £5M public liability · G3 qualified · 24/7 emergency line · 0207 046 1363