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What is a thermal store?
Often used in conjunction with a variety of alternative energy sources such as solid fuel,
wood burning stoves and solar, a thermal store captures input energy from heat sources
to allow that energy to be converted into mains pressure hot water and space heating
at a later time when the demand is greater. Energy from a heat source is captured within
the primary water of an open vented cylinder at a temperature of up to 80°C.
Cold water at mains pressure then passes through a High Efficiency Coil, which is
specifically designed as a heat exchanger, to draw heat from the thermal store at mains
pressure.
This heated water is subsequently blended with cold mains water through a
Thermostatically Controlled Mixing Valve, to provide mains pressure water at 55°C to
the taps. In addition, the primary water captured within the store can also be circulated
around the heating system allowing the householder to enjoy the benefits of mains
pressure water and heating produced from alternative and renewable heat sources.
Basics of the Thermal Store
The THERMflow Boiler Model utilises open vented boilers and/or Electric Immersion
Heaters as its primary heat source/s, with options available for wood burning, AGA, solid
fuel boiler and underfloor connections amongst others.
The main benefit of the Open Vented Thermal Store configuration is the open vented
nature allows the full power (kW) output of the boiler directly into the thermal store, as
no heat exchanger is required thus reducing energy usage and running costs. Input
energy from the boiler(s) is circulated from the thermal store to the central heating
system while the High Efficiency Secondary Coil is specifically designed to provide high
performance blended mains pressure hot water to the taps at 55°C.
