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An advanced mathematical model capable of simulating the energy performance of an innovative Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater (ICSSWHs) is presented. Usually, ICSSWH devices available in the market are typically simple and low-cost, combining solar heat collection and storage functions in one unified vessel. However, they exhibit higher heat loss characteristics when compared to standard solar collector systems, with a subsequent reduction in energy performance during night-time and non-collecting hours. An innovative ICSSWH prototype was developed at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) at Ulster University using a patented, innovative thermal diode feature, attained by incorporating a liquid-vapour phase change material (PCM) and very low pressures. In order to fully investigate the energy performance of the proposed prototype, a suitably dynamic simulation model has been developed and validated in MatLab environment. All modelled temperatures are ±1 °C from the respective experimental measurements. The developed model has been used to evaluate the ICSSWH energy performance by varying several pivotal parameters (physical features and materials) in order to produce an optimised device. • A novel thermal diode feature is achieved by incorporating a liquid-vapour PCM in a multi-vessel solar water heater. • Dynamic simulation analysis is used to characterise a thermal diode feature in a novel ICSSWH unit. • MatLab environment was used to develop to model the novel thermal diode operation, validated using experimental data. • All modelled temperatures show good agreement with the experimental measurements. • Thermal diode ICSSWHs can produce higher temperatures than simpler ICS units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]