The Quality Heating 5-Litre Slimline Electric Water Heater is a compact, horizontal under-cupboard water heater designed to provide an immediate supply of hot water at the point of use — typically beneath a kitchen sink or inside a base unit where there is no direct hot water supply. With a 2,000 W copper heating element and a stainless steel inner tank, it heats water to a fixed 75°C in under 10 minutes from cold, and is supplied with a mains cable, moulded plug, and inlet combination valve ready for connection. At just 54 × 21 × 14 cm, it fits neatly behind a plinth panel or inside a standard base unit — no boiler or hot water pipe extension required.

5 litres

Tank capacity

2,000 W

Heating element

75°C

Fixed setpoint

<10 min

Reheat time

Stainless

Steel tank — anode-free

⚡ Installation Note — This unit must be installed horizontally only — it cannot be mounted vertically. Connection to cold water supply and installation of the included pressure relief valve should be carried out by a qualified plumber or competent person in accordance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The unit is supplied with a 1.25 m mains cable and moulded 13A plug; a nearby unswitched fused spur is recommended for permanent installation.

ℹ Temperature is fixed at 75°C — not adjustable. This is a vented storage water heater operating at mains pressure via an inlet combination valve (pressure reducing valve + check valve + expansion vessel is not required at this size). Hot water from the tank should be mixed with cold at the tap to reach a comfortable use temperature. At 75°C storage temperature, the effective usable volume is larger than 5 litres because mixing will be required. Not a boiling water unit.

Features & Benefits

✔ Point-of-Use Hot Water — No Pipe Runs

Ideal for kitchens, utility rooms, and outbuildings where there is no existing hot water pipe or where the hot water run is too long to be practical. Eliminates the wait for hot water to arrive and removes wasteful cold-water purge at the tap.

✔ Compact Slimline Design

At 54 × 21 × 14 cm, this unit sits neatly inside a standard 150 mm or 200 mm kitchen plinth space or within a base unit — taking up far less room than a conventional upright water heater and requiring no dedicated cupboard.

✔ Rapid Reheat — Under 10 Minutes

The 2,000 W copper heating element brings the 5-litre tank back to 75°C from cold in under 10 minutes — meaning back-to-back uses such as washing up after a meal are not disrupted by waiting for the tank to recover.

✔ Stainless Steel Tank — Maintenance-Free

The tank is manufactured from stainless steel — unlike mild steel tanks, it does not require a sacrificial anode to prevent corrosion. This means no periodic anode inspection or replacement and a significantly longer serviceable tank life with no ongoing maintenance obligation.

✔ 40 mm Foam Insulation

A 40 mm closed-cell foam insulation layer wraps the tank to minimise standing heat losses, keeping the water at temperature without continuous reheating. This reduces electricity consumption during periods of low demand such as overnight.

✔ Supplied Ready for Connection

Supplied with a 1.25 m mains cable with moulded 13A plug and an inlet combination valve (incorporating a check valve and pressure relief function). The plug can be removed and the cable wired directly to a fused spur if preferred by the installer.

Technical Specifications

Brand	Quality Heating (QH)
Tank Capacity	5 litres
Rated Power	2,000 W
Heating Element Material	Copper
Tank Material	Stainless steel (maintenance-free — no anode required)
Storage Temperature	75°C fixed (not adjustable)
Reheat Time (from cold)	< 10 minutes
Insulation	40 mm closed-cell foam
Installation Orientation	Horizontal only — cannot be mounted vertically
Dimensions (L × W × H)	54 × 21 × 14 cm
Power Supply	230 V / 50 Hz — standard 13A plug (included)
Mains Cable Length	1.25 m with moulded 13A plug (plug removable for spur wiring)
Included Accessories	Inlet combination valve (check valve + pressure relief function)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this water heater suitable for?

This unit is ideal for kitchens, utility rooms, offices, outbuildings, and workshops that either have no existing hot water supply, or where the hot water pipe run from a central cylinder or combi boiler is very long — causing a long wait for hot water to arrive. It is also a popular solution for ground-floor kitchens with no upstairs hot water cylinder nearby, and for garden rooms and annexes where running new pipe work would be disruptive or costly. It is sized for 1–2 person use for washing up and light kitchen tasks.

Why is the temperature fixed at 75°C — isn't that very hot?

75°C is the standard storage temperature for small electric water heaters as it provides effective thermal disinfection against Legionella bacteria while maximising the usable volume — at 75°C, hot water is mixed with cold at the tap, so the effective output is greater than 5 litres of hand-hot water. Adjustable-temperature models stored below 60°C require additional Legionella risk management. The water at the tap will not be 75°C — it will be mixed to a comfortable temperature by a standard single-lever or pillar tap. This is not a boiling water unit.

Does it need to be installed by a plumber?

Water supply connections must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and installation should be carried out by a qualified plumber or competent person. The electrical connection (mains cable to plug socket or unswitched fused spur) is straightforward, but if the moulded plug is removed and the cable wired directly, this must be done by a qualified electrician. The included inlet combination valve must be fitted on the cold supply line before the heater.

Why is stainless steel better than an enamel or mild steel tank?

Conventional mild steel or vitreous enamel tanks require a sacrificial magnesium anode which corrodes in place of the tank — and must be inspected and replaced periodically (typically every 2–3 years), failing which the tank itself corrodes. A stainless steel tank requires no anode and has a substantially longer serviceable life with no planned maintenance. This makes it particularly well suited to installations where the unit is concealed behind a plinth panel and access for servicing is limited.

Can it be installed vertically?

No — this unit is designed for horizontal installation only. The internal layout of the heating element and connections is configured for horizontal use; installing it vertically will affect performance, may cause operational faults, and could invalidate the warranty. If you require a vertically-mounted point-of-use water heater, please contact us for an alternative product recommendation.