Making Solar Water Heating Solutions Easy With SOLARsave
Filed under: Renewable Energy Cylinders, Unvented Cylinder, solar cylinders
McDonald Engineers has made solar hot water systems easy with its SOLARsave pre-plumbed unit which features a high performance dual coil copper cylinder with all the major components pre-fitted and pre-wired for a quick and easy installation.
Available in vented and WRAS approved unvented cylinders, the SOLARsave unit comes supplied with a Solar Differential Controller pre-plumbed to the solar coil. Simply connect the flow & return and solar sensor from the differential controller, along with a solar expansion vessel and relief valve and your solar system is ready to use.
McDonald Engineers’s Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, said “Whilst we have an extensive portfolio of expert solar installers who recognise the benefits from high quality copper cylinders in solar thermal solutions, we were receiving a growing number of enquiries from plumbing contractors who wanted a complete ‘plumb and go’ solution.”
He continued, ” SOLARsave not only makes the specification of the hot water system simple, the pre-fitted and prewired c
omponents dramatically reduce the installation time of the system, making it easy and accessible to a far greater number of installation contractors.”
McDonald Engineers also offers its full range of thermal stores, unvented cylinders and calorifiers now available with solar compatibility.
For more information visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call 01592 611123.
McDonald Engineers Save The Day with Emergency Alterations to Calorifier
Filed under: Calorifier, Copper Cylinder, McDonald Engineers News
McDonald Engineers has demonstrated exactly why they are one of the UK’s most respected manufacturers of hot water systems, by immediately despatching a service engineer to alter a connection on a new 1800 litre POWERflow Commercial calorifier on site.
McDonald Engineers had manufactured the Calorifier as per the specification for Perth Grammar School. However the installation team identified that one of the thermostatic controls, required a larger connection than normal and were faced with a major problem that would normally have meant sending the calorifier back to the manufacturer for alteration.
After assessing the level of work involved the McDonald Engineers service team were on site within a matter of hours to rectify the problem and enable the installation team to have the calorifier installed and operational the same day.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart, explained “Whilst McDonald Engineers is renowned for our superior quality products and our fast turnaround times, our clients enjoy the world class service that we can offer, from the initial design stages, right through to onsite installation support and aftercare service.”
He continued, “This type of situation doesn’t happen often, but when it does we are extremely quick to respond, as we understand the implications an installation delay can cause. Our response on this occasion shows our uncompromising commitment to customer service.”
McDonald Engineers offer a large range of Calorifiers and Buffer Vessels with up to 3500 litres capacity within their standard range. These can be adapted for heat pump or solar thermal input however the company’s flexible manufacturing system, means that they can accommodate almost any size, shape or configuration.
For more information on the Calorifier range and the full range of hot water cylinders and systems available from McDonald Engineers, contact us now or call 01592 611123.
Solar Cylinders: McDonald Engineers Play A Key Role in Solar Energy Programme
Filed under: Renewable Energy Cylinders, Uncategorized, solar cylinders

Hot Water Cylinders for Solar Panels
McDonald Engineers is using its extensive experience in harnessing the power of solar energy in its solar cylinders, to provide hot water to one of Scotland’s largest local authorities, who is rolling out its highly successful programme to private households and firms.
McDonald Engineers has been one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hot water cylinders since 1946 and has been developing the solar compatibility of its cylinders for the last three decades, establishing itself at the cutting edge of renewable energy.
The company will be providing vital specification assistance and installation advice to the various partners involved with the project, to ensure that every project maximises the energy transfer from solar panels to the hot water.
McDonald Engineer’s Managing Director, Bill Stewart, explained “Studies show that a solar water heating system could provide around a third of annual hot water needs and reduce the impact on the environment but only with a highly efficient heat transfer process.”
He continued, “There is a growing recognition of the superior benefits that copper coils and cylinders can have in the renewable energy sector. Copper’s thermal conductivity is far superior to other material, such as stainless steel and also our manufacturing process allows a far larger heating surface than other manufacturers. ”
“The improved thermal conductivity, means that it will take significantly less time and solar energy required, for the copper coil to raise its temperature to the required level, compared to the stainless steel coil.
The company now offers full compatibility across the range, of its POWERflow 2000 Unvented Mains Pressure Hot Water Cylinder, THERMflow Thermal Storage Cylinders, ELECTRAflow Electric Wet Central Heating Systems, the TIMEsaver plumbing unit, its full range of Calorifiers and of course its original SOLARsave system.
If you are considering solar energy for your property or project, or indeed any renewable energy source, such as Geothermal and Air Source Heat Pumps, McDonald Engineers are available to assist you, to ensure your hot water cylinder is the perfect solution.
Please call on 01592 611123 or email sales@mcdonald-engineers.com
Future Proof Your Hot Water System With an Unvented Cylinder
Filed under: Renewable Energy Cylinders, Unvented Cylinder, hot water cylinder

Many architects, installers and end clients are turning to unvented cylinders as a means of future proofing their project, due to the systems’ ability to work with renewable energy sources such as solar and heat pump installations.
An unvented cylinder can be either heated directly by electricity or indirectly from an auxiliary boiler, typically gas or oil fired, and can be linked to a solar thermal or heat pump installation. When installed with a new generation condensing boiler, as required under the current Building Regulations, and connected to a renewable energy source, CO2 emissions and energy consumption are reduced.
With the growing unpredictability of energy prices together with the growing movement towards a renewable energy culture, many are seeing unvented systems as a means of keeping their options open with regards to powering their hot water system.
McDonald Engineers, Sales Directors, Jamie Stewart, explained ” Both solar thermal and heat pump systems require hot water storage, such as an unvented cylinder and the perfect partner for these renewable technologies is a copper unvented cylinder with specifically developed solar or heat pump coils. Copper gives unrivalled heat transfer and maximises the benefits of solar and heat pumps”
McDonald Engineers’ POWERflow 2000 range is one of the UK’s leading unvented copper cylinder systems and the company’s experience and expertise in producing one-off systems, to meet the exact requirements of a multi-fuel solution, is highly respected in the heating sector.
Jamie continued, “We have been at the forefront of the industry when it comes to designing hot water cylinders that are compatible with solar energy and heat pump solutions. However it’s our unique ability to manufacture for large contracts and for one-offs, to our uncompromising quality standards and unrivalled lead times, that has enabled us to establish our enviable reputation in the UK market place.”
To find out more about McDonald Engineers extensive range of “Renewable Ready’ solutions visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call 01592 611123.
Hospitals Turn to Copper’s Health Properties to Reduce Spread of Infections
McDonald Engineers has welcomed news that an Irish hospital will be the first in the world to use copper door handles to reduce infections associated with the healthcare industry, such as MRSA. This further promotes the superior health and hygienic properties of copper.
The announcement follows on from the highly successful trials carried out at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham. These demonstrated the use of copper surfaces, such as taps, toilet seats and door push plates, can reduce microbial contamination by 90-100%.
As one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of copper cylinders, McDonald Engineers has been promoting the superior hygienic properties of its copper hot water cylinders and calorifiers in all sectors. There has been a growing usage in the healthcare and education sectors thanks to the increased awareness of copper’s bacteria killing properties.
Tests on copper surfaces show that over 99.9% of specific bacteria (including the MRSA superbug) are killed within just 2 hours. It is no wonder than many healthcare architects and specifiers are looking towards copper as the material of choice for hot water cylinders, in the many refurbishment projects planned for NHS Trusts throughout 2010.
Mitsubishi Ecodan Insist on Copper Hot Water Cylinders
Filed under: Calorifier, Copper Cylinder, Electric Wet Central Heating System, hot water cylinder
Mitsubishi, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of heat pumps, has reinforced copper’s superior performance in renewable energy systems, by insisting that only copper hot water cylinders, such as McDonald Engineers POWERflow 2000 unvented cylinders, are used in conjunction with their new advanced Ecodan heat pump systems.
The news adds further weight to McDonald Engineers’ campaign to promote copper’s green credential when it comes to heat transfer and recyclability - as well as its bacteria killing properties.
McDonald Engineers’ copper cylinders are used widely with Mitsubishi’s Ecodan products and also a wide range of other Geothermal and Air Source Heat Pumps, due to the company’s unrivalled reputation in the Renewable. With over 65 years experience in developing its product range to maximise the heat transfer process, McDonald Engineers has the skills, knowledge and expertise, to develop bespoke solutions to suit renewable energy applications.
McDonald Engineers’ now offer solar and heat pump compatibility with its POWERflow 2000 Unvented Cylinder, THERMflow Thermal Store, ELECTRAflow Electric Wet System, SOLARsave Pre-Plumbed Solar System and TIMEsaver Plumbing Unit, as well as its full range of Calorifiers.
However with the company’s unique ability to manufacture bespoke hot water cylinders to a client’s exact requirements, McDonald Engineers is fast becoming the copper cylinder manufacturer of choice when it comes to heat pumps and renewable energy solutions.
How to Achieve Constant Hot Water from Your Calorifier- No Matter How High the Demand
Many people err on the side of caution when designing hot water systems for commercial environments, such as hotels, hospitals and offices. However thanks to McDonald Engineers combination of its calorifier and plate heat exchanger systems, you can achieve the right level of hot water when you need it most.
At a time when every client is looking to achieve a cost effective and energy efficient system, whilst ensuring that it is never caught out, many specifiers tend to play it safe, when it comes to determining the size of storage cylinder for the hot water system.
The problem with over specifying the hot water buffer capacity for a commercial environment, is that you will continuously require additional energy to heat water that is rarely used. However the flip side of the coin, is that an under specification can lead to running out of hot water which can seriously damage customer satisfaction levels.
McDonald’s PLATEflow system compromises a Plate Heat Exchanger, which is pre-piped and mounted on to a calorifier, to supply continuous hot water, with the re-assurance that the buffer capacity is available during peak periods.
The system also ensures that any excess hot water generated by the Plate Heat Exchanger is never wasted and instead is diverted to recharge the buffer vessel.
The solution effectively decreases the amount of stored hot water required, whilst preventing the system from ever running out.
McDonald Engineers’ Sales Director, Jamie Stewart explained “As well as delivering the most energy efficient solution, the fact that we can supply the system pre-assembled to your specification can significantly reduce installation and commissioning time, which is critical in commercial environments.”
To find out how you could save energy on your next project call 01592 611123 or view our calorifiers and plateFLOW pages now
McDonald Engineers Introduce the Renewable Ready Range of Hot Water Systems
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, Electric Wet Central Heating System, Multifuel Hot Water System, Vented Mains Pressure System, hot water cylinder

McDonald Engineers is enabling architects and consultants to reach their energy targets with the launch of their dedicated range of hot water systems that are designed to be used in conjunction with renewable energy sources such as solar energy and heat pump technology.
The Renewable Range features its POWERflow2000 system, the THERMflow range, the ELECTRAflow electric wet central heating system, the TIMEsaver plumbing unit, its full range of Calorifiers and of course its original Solar Save system which was the first in the range to be designed with high specification coils and probe pockets to maximise the benefit of solar energy.
The company, which has been at the forefront of hot water systems since 1945, has been developing cylinders designed for solar energy since the early 70s and has established itself as one of the most respected manufacturers in the industry.
Managing Director, Bill Stewart, said, “It is vital that we all play our part in reducing the energy we are using and we are delighted to launch this exciting range of products that we hope will enable designers, specifiers and contractors to achieve their energy saving obligations.”
A key element in the design of the range is the recognition that, in many instances, solar energy is unable to act as the single source and provide the level of power required to heat every application.
McDonald Engineers have therefore developed a multi-fuel system, such as in their THERMflow range, which can work with a number of energy sources and in doing so, reduce the ongoing running costs.
Bill continued, “By designing a system that can work with a multiple of fuels we can attempt to draw the energy from every available source thereby delivering the most cost effective hot water solution.”
The company is also available to incorporate a number of high efficiency coils into its POWERflow 2000 range to improve the effectiveness of solar, heat pumps and boilers in delivering the required levels of energy.
For more information on the range of renewable energy hot water systems and the full range of hot water systems available from McDonald Engineers visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call 01592 611123
THERMflow Hailed As UK’s Most Flexible Hot Water Cylinder
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, Multifuel Hot Water System, Vented Mains Pressure System, hot water cylinder
McDonald Engineers’ THERMflow vented mains pressure system has been hailed as the UK’s most flexible hot water cylinder on the market today due to its unrivalled ability to integrate with multi fuel installations including electric, gas, oil, solar and solid fuels.
The rising cost of gas and electricity together with the global movement towards more sustainable energy sources is seeing a growing demand for flexible hot water systems, such as THERMflow, that can enable the core energy sources to be supplemented with more sustainable fuels, such as solar and wind, as well as solid fuel sources.
Manufactured using McDonald Engineers advanced copper manufacturing system, the THERMflow system delivers all the bacteria killing properties and reduced running costs associated with copper and is available in a wide range of sizes.
And demonstrating McDonald Engineers’ position as one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of copper cylinders, the THERMflow product can be custom designed to almost any height, a wide range of diameters and with any number or bespoke positioning of connections to facilitate those unusual or awkward areas.
McDonald Engineers’ Managing Director, Bill Stewart, explained “We are receiving a growing number of enquiries from architects, consultants and end-clients across the UK who are now looking at integrating alternative fuel sources to supplement gas and electric which is offered as standard on our THERMflow system.”
He continued, “However the THERMflow system continues to be one of the UK’s most popular vented mains pressure system with its integrated primary feed and expansion tank, zero maintenance requirement and superior energy efficiencies.”
For more information on the THERMflow hot water system and the full range of hot water cylinders and systems available from McDonald Engineers visit http://www.mcdonald-engineers.com/ or call 01592 611123.
ELECTRAflow Wet Electric Heating System is Perfect Choice in Refurb Market
Filed under: Copper Cylinder, Electric Wet Central Heating System, hot water cylinder

ELECTRAflow wet central heating system
ELECTRAflow’s 100% heating efficiency combined with its low installation costs has made it the perfect choice for housing associations and contractors looking at developing or refurbishing new houses, flatted developments and properties in rural areas with no natural gas supply.
Manufactured by leading copper cylinder specialist, McDonald Engineers, The ELECTRAflow system’s integrated electric boiler and copper storage cylinder is both cheaper to install than a heat pump, requires no annual boiler maintenance and is more efficient than other forms of heating such as night storage, oil and LPG providing significant cost savings throughout its lifetime.
The compact system also requires no flue making it easy to situate and ideal for listed buildings and high rise flats.
Available in vented and unvented systems, ELECTRAflow can also be integrated with additional fuel types including solar panels, solid fuels and can used to power underfloor heating as well as standard radiators.
McDonald Engineers, Managing Director, Bill Stewart, commented, “The days of electric heating solutions being prohibitively expensive to run are over with the robust, intelligent and highly cost effective solution offered by ELECTRAflow particularly when combined with solar energy and economy tariffs from the utility companies.”
For more information on the ELECTRAflow system and the full range of hot water systems available from McDonald Engineers visit www.mcdonald-engineers.com or call 01592 611123.












