Frequently asked questions
Our Ask Mark section is a resource tool to help you find the answers to any questions you might have on thermal accumulator tanks. With so many misconceptions and all manner of companies purporting to be experts, getting the right information will help you make the right choice. We pride ourselves on the experience we have and the quality of products that we install, all of this contributes to our extensive knowledge on thermal storage systems.
The following is an FAQ for wall heating systems are compiled from questions from customers, anything that is not answered please feel free to get in touch and we aim to answer your enquiry.
What is an Accumulator Tank (Thermal Store)?It is a highly insulated thermal storage vessel, they range in size from 500 litres to 2500 litres capacity filled with the water for the heating system. For large projects, additional units can be bolted on, and cascade energy from one to another. Its function is to collect and store heat energy from any source and to allow flexible use of the heat energy directly for space heating or for hot water. Use of an accumulator tank (hot water storage system) can greatly improve the efficiency of the heating system, and enabling a smaller size heating unit to be used.
Our thermal storage tanks use the best insulation on the market. Our 1000L IDM Hygenix Tank with 100mm polyurethane insulation will give an annual saving of 500 kwh heat energy with a temperature differential of 55 deg C over a 1000 ltr tank insulated with 100mm of rockwool and an annual saving of 1800 kwh over the same 1000 ltr tank insulated with only 50mm rockwool.
Yes, an accumulator tank is the answer for all micro-generation renewables, even renewables such as wind turbines, and solar photovoltaic which generate electricity can generate heat through an immersion heater when there is excess supply.
Typically:
- Heat from the mid-day sun can be stored for use in the cool of the evening by solar thermal panels.
- Excess electrical energy generated from wind or solar PVs can be stored as hot water.
- Biomass boilers and pellet stoves can be burned efficiently at high temperature providing heat long after the boiler has gone out.
- Heat pumps can be run on low cost night rate electricity, or during optimum conditions, storing the energy for use during the day.
- Biomass heating, solar thermal and heat pump hot water is placed into the tank at various levels depending on the temperature and system design.
- Electrical inputs are converted to heat through an immersion heater or through the use of your heat pump (if you have one).
IDM Hygienik thermal storage accumulator come with an external heat exchanger, with a flow output ranging from 25-70 litres per minute. This heat exchanger takes the stored heat from the accumulator tank and transfers it to fresh water. The temperature and flow rate can be controlled to optimise your output. This removes the threat of legionella as the water sat in the tank never reaches your tap.
