Hot water cylinder operation question

[blued]

I have a hot water tank that sits on the shelf above my gas boiler. There is also a switch in the kitchen (that I don't use) for hot water. I understand how an electric hot water cylinder works and how a gas hot water cylinder works however mine is both gas and electric heated. The electric part will be an element just the same as a normal electric cylinder. What about the gas? Does this operate by the boiler heating the water and then it gets pumped into the cylinder and keeps circulating until all the water in the cylinder reaches the correct temperature?

I can't have central heating on without hot water if this helps identify the system I have.

 

[denso13]

Basically yes that is how it works. It can also be gravity circulation through the cylinder which is one reason you you can't have heating without the hot water.

 

[blued]

Thanks for the confirmation.