Heat storage made easy


The thermal store is a powerful technology that can be used in a variety of ways to ‘future proof’ properties, enabling self-builders to take full advantage of renewables, when used in the best combination. Richard Hanson-Graville of Thermal Integration explains


T


he thermal store is an exceptionally versatile piece of technology that can work particularly well with wood-fuelled biomass


boilers, heat pumps, wind energy and solar water heating systems, either simultaneously or individually. It is an efficient means of storing excess heat


from these renewable sources. This is particu- larly valuable because the sun doesn’t always shine (to produce solar energy) and the wind doesn’t always blow (to operate wind turbines), so some form of energy storage makes sense. A thermal store can contain one or more heat


exchangers, usually in the form of internal coiled pipes or external flat-plate heat exchangers. It may also include an electrical heating element. Its versatility stems from an ability to ‘mix and match’ different renewables so that, for example, a thermal store can work either with an individual heat generating source or a combination of renewable heating sources. It can also be used as a conventional boiler or immersion heater.


[


The thermal store is an exceptionally versatile piece of technology


connected using gravity circulation, with numerous other bosses for pumped circuits. Even larger 2.25 inch bosses provide for immersion heaters as well as retro-fit coils (mainly used for overheat protection). A large one square metre coil is provided as standard for connection of solar panels (or any other pressurised heat source). You can add a plate heat exchanger (PHE)


option to generate mains pressure hot water to run multiple bathrooms using high pressure


mains water, without the need for unvented certification or annual maintenance. Further options provide fitted controls for the


use of boilers of all types (sealed and vented) as well as heat pumps. Control options include pump assemblies, thermostats, programmers and timers, and control valves. Both radiators and underfloor heating can be


run simultaneously and the thermal store will be configured in such a way that low temperature loads (such as underfloor heating) can run off


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It is essential that the householder receives the best possible advice so that they can maximise the efficiency of their heating and hot water systems. In order to make the best decision, you will need a thorough understanding the benefits and installation processes of thermal stores. Companies can offer advice and training to help with this. Because they are open vented, thermal stores


require no temperature or pressure relief valve discharge pipework. Typically they are fitted with all the accessories and connections required, making them fast and simple to install. In their most basic form, thermal stores can


act as a buffer system, used purely for central heating. In Thermal Integration’s range, for example, 1.5 inch bosses allow the largest of domestic wood burners to be comfortably


Key benefits of thermal stores


•Creates heating versatility by allowing the householder to manage the difference in time between when heat is available and when it is required


•Saves energy by permitting warm water to be heated by a secondary heating source such as a boiler or immersion heater


•Boosts efficiency by enabling renewable heating systems like biomass boilers to work at their best efficiency because they are used at maximum output


•Reinforces sustainability by diminishing the need for fossil fuels


•Added versatility because the systems can be hooked up to conventional boilers and other electrical heating elements such as immersion heaters


•Thermal stores can be made as cylinders of virtually any height and diameter, and can also be made as tanks, which are designed to fit into specified clearances


selfbuilder & homemaker www.sbhonline.co.uk 35


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