Mixergy smart hot water cylinders offer a way to heat and manage hot water, but installers and their customers may have questions about how they work, and how to get the most out of their system. Roy Fugler, Product Training Manager at Mixergy, answers some of the most common customer questions.
Q. How energy efficient is a Mixergy cylinder?
Most homes only use about 50% of their cylinder’s capacity, but traditional cylinders heat all the water at once. Unlike most cylinders that heat water from the bottom up using coils or an immersion heater at the bottom of the cylinder, Mixergy cylinders use thermal stratification to make storing hot water more energy efficient. Simply put, thermal stratification is the result of heat rising; hot air rises above cooler air and hot water floats on top of cooler water. The area between the hot and cold sections of water is known as the thermocline.
The Mixergy cylinder starts by heating a small volume of water, either with an immersion heater (direct models) or a coil (indirect models), at the top of the cylinder and then growing that volume of hot water downwards.
A sensor strip in the cylinder lets the user know exactly how much hot water is available. Using thermal stratification and smart technology, only the required amount of water is heated, reducing heat losses, and the water gets to the desired temperature quicker.
The Energy Saving Trust’s independent test report states that the Mixergy cylinder can reduces gas consumption by as much as 21% compared to a conventional hot water cylinder, with an average reduction of 12%.
Mixergy’s automatic schedule control uses machine learning to learn the usage profile and adapt the hot water schedule to save money on the user’s bills – typically 25-40%.
Q. What sizes of Mixergy cylinders are available?
Mixergy cylinders are available in various sizes, ranging from 120litres to 500litres, to suit different household’s needs. The appropriate capacity can be chosen based on the household’s hot water demand. Direct and indirect versions are available in both standard and slimline designs.
Q. What qualifications are required to install Mixergy cylinders?
Mixergy cylinders must be installed by a qualified plumber or heating engineer with G3 certification. We also offer a range of face-to-face and online training courses and our technical support team is available, should extra assistance be required.
Q. Do the cylinders work with heat pumps?
Yes, they do. Mixergy cylinders are heat pump ready, whether connecting to an existing heat pump, or planning to add a heat pump at a later date. The Mixergy heat pump kit connects to both air and ground source heat pumps and maintains the efficiency of the heat pump as it avoids partially heating the cylinder. The heat pump kit can improve the Coefficient of Performance (CoP) by 5-10% of the heat pump by having a more efficient heat transfer through the plate heat exchanger.
Q. Can I use a combi boiler to heat the water?
Yes. You can connect the Mixergy cylinder to the central heating loop, converting the combi boiler into a system boiler.
Q. Can I use more than one heat source to heat my water?
Yes, Mixergy cylinders can be heated using various energy sources such as gas/oil boilers, electric, solar PV, solar thermal, or heat pumps.
Q. Can Mixergy cylinders also deliver space heating?
No, Mixergy cylinders are specifically designed for hot water delivery and are not suitable for space heating applications.
Q. Is a minimum flow rate required for the Mixergy cylinder?
No, but for unvented installations, we recommend a flow rate of 20 litres per minute for optimal performance.
Q. Can I control the Mixergy cylinder remotely?
Yes – using the Mixergy app. The app will tell you how much hot water is in the cylinder, what the temperature is, what it is costing and how much space is left. It can be used to boost the cylinder to provide 100% hot water if it is suddenly required and to change the temperature. A daily schedule can be set to ensure hot water is available when needed, and also a holiday mode, for setting departure and return dates and the temperature required while away.
Q. How does machine learning work?
Mixergy’s machine learning adapts to the household’s behaviour, tariff settings, and the weather to optimise its heating schedule. It ensures hot water is available when it is needed, while heating it at the most efficient and cost-effective times. The cylinder will start to learn when the user wants hot water and will start to provide it. For example, it will ensure there is hot water available for a shower every morning at a particular time. If the user plays sport on a particular evening every week, it will learn the routine and ensure there is hot water available on that evening every week.
Q. How does it connect with my tariff?
By strategically heating water during off-peak hours when energy prices are lower or when renewable energy sources like wind and solar are abundant, Mixergy cylinders not only reduce costs for the household, but also contribute to a more sustainable energy grid. Smart tariffs are easy to set up through the app and can help save even more on energy costs. Users on a British Gas fixed tariff can take advantage of Mixergy Extra, which credits their account with £40 over a year.
Q. What about frost protection?
Important for the winter months, the cylinders have built-in frost protection. This is especially important when installed in an unheated loft or garage. The cylinder’s smart technology continually monitors the internal temperature, and if the water at the bottom of the cylinder drops below 5°C, it will automatically heat up the water to prevent freezing. This gives peace of mind for the end user, knowing that their hot water and heating system is protected from freezing, even when they are away from home.
Q. Does the Mixergy cylinder come with a warranty?
Yes, Mixergy cylinders come with a 25-year warranty, while peripheral components and electronics come with a 3-year warranty. The warranty is activated when the cylinder is registered via the Mixergy App.
Q. What’s the best way to maintain the Mixergy cylinder?
Regular maintenance is minimal, but it’s recommended to keep an eye on the system through the Mixergy App. The cleansing cycle automatically helps prevent issues like legionella. We recommend you carry out an annual service for your customer to ensure optimal performance.
Q. How is ownership transferred?
If the homeowner is moving house, ownership is easily transferred to the next resident. Simply press and hold the boost down and power buttons for 15 seconds to disassociate the existing account. The new owner can then register the cylinder through the Mixergy App.
Q. Where are Mixergy cylinders manufactured?
Mixergy products are proudly designed and manufactured in the UK.
