Heat and hot water at a glance: The use of storage heaters explained
Heating cylinders such as buffer cylinders are versatile appliances that store heat for heating rooms and providing hot water. But how do they work?
If your heating system generates more heat than is currently required, this surplus energy is stored in the cylinder. At a later point in time, when more heat is required, this stored energy can be used efficiently. In this way, you can reduce your heating costs and improve the overall efficiency of your heating system.
The best thing about it is that you can easily control the storage heater yourself. With a simple turn of the thermostat, you determine how much heat is stored in the cylinder and when it is released. This allows you to adapt the heat supply to your individual needs and save energy at the same time.
So take advantage of your storage heater to always enjoy hot water and a pleasant room temperature while keeping an eye on your heating costs.
How do storage heaters work?
Heating storage tanks are heat accumulators that temporarily store thermal energy from the heating system and make it available again on demand. Buffer storage tanks are used, for example, in combination with heat pumps, solar thermal systems or wood-fired boilers. Heating storage tanks help to improve the efficiency of the heating system by storing the thermal energy from the heat source and releasing it to the heating circuits when it is needed.
Heating storage tanks usually consist of a large, metal container filled with a heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium can be water, glycol or other liquids. The heat transfer medium is heated by the heat source and stores the heat energy in the form of sensible heat.
When the heat energy is required, the heat transfer medium is transferred from the cylinder through the heat exchanger to the heating circuits. The heat transfer medium transfers the heat energy to the heating water, which heats the radiators.
Storage heaters can improve heating efficiency in the following ways:
- They enable more efficient use of the heat source: If the heat source does not have to be operated continuously to heat the heating circuits, it can work more efficiently.
- They reduce the heating cycle: if the heat source does not have to be operated continuously to heat the heating circuits, the heating does not have to be switched on and off as frequently. This reduces the switch-off losses.
- They enable the use of renewable energies: Heating storage tanks can facilitate the use of renewable energies such as heat pumps.
- Functionality of memories
Why are storage heaters important?
Heating cylinders such as buffer cylinders play a crucial role in modern heating systems and are invaluable for the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. These appliances are able to store the heat generated by your heating system and release it when required, ensuring a reliable heat supply.
Storage heaters are particularly useful in situations where the heating system does not run continuously, such as with solar heating systems. They store the heat generated when it is available and ensure that you have hot water and a comfortable room temperature even when the heating system is not in operation.
In addition, storage heaters help to save energy. They use heat extremely efficiently and prevent excess heat from being lost. This helps to reduce your energy costs and minimizes the ecological footprint of your heating system.
In short, storage heaters are the invisible heroes of your heating system, ensuring a reliable and efficient heat supply in your home, regardless of fluctuations in the heating system output.
What types of storage heaters are there?
Heat accumulators can be classified according to two criteria: the operating principle and the duration of heat storage.
Working principle
- Sensible heat storage: The heat is stored in the form of sensible heat in a solid or liquid medium. The temperature of the storage medium rises when heat is supplied and falls again when heat is released.
- Thermodynamic heat storage: The heat is stored in a reversible system that undergoes a change of state when energy is supplied or released. This can be a gas-liquid system, for example, in which the gas condenses when energy is supplied and evaporates again when energy is released.
- Latent heat storage: The heat is stored through a phase transformation of the storage medium. This can be, for example, the melting of ice or the evaporation of water.
Differences
The three types of heat storage differ in the following points:
- Type of heat stored: sensible heat is stored in the case of sensible heat storage, latent heat in the case of thermodynamic heat storage and latent heat in the case of latent heat storage.
- State of the storage medium: In the case of sensible heat storage, the storage medium is in a solid or liquid state, in the case of thermodynamic heat storage in a gaseous or liquid state and in the case of latent heat storage in a solid or liquid state.
- Temperature range: The temperature ranges in which heat storage is possible vary. With sensitive heat storage, the temperature range is relatively large, with thermodynamic heat storage it can be limited and with latent heat storage it is very large.
- Ratio of heat quantity to storage mass: The ratio of heat quantity to storage mass is highest for latent heat storage and lowest for sensible heat storage.
Duration
The duration of heat storage is an important factor when selecting a heat accumulator. It depends on the respective application.
- Buffer storage tanks: Buffer storage tanks are short-term storage tanks that are usually used in combination with heat pumps, solar thermal systems or conventional boilers. They are used to store the heat from the heat source and then release it to the consumer.
- Hot water storage tanks: Hot water storage tanks are long-term storage tanks that are used in households to provide hot water for the kitchen, bathroom and other purposes. They store the heated water over a longer period of time and then release it to the consumer.
- Solar cylinder: Solar cylinders are buffer cylinders that have been specially developed for use with solar thermal systems. They are usually equipped with insulation that reduces heat loss.
- Long-term storage: Long-term storage stores heat over a longer period of time. Geothermal energy or groundwater, for example, are used for this purpose. Geothermal storage tanks use the heat from the earth to heat buildings. Groundwater storage tanks use the heat of the groundwater to heat or cool buildings.
Relevant for home and apartment owners
For house and apartment owners, the duration of heat storage is more relevant than the type of heat storage. Heat storage should last as long as possible so that the heat is still available when the heat source is no longer available.
Latent heat storage is generally the best choice for heat storage in buildings. It has a high ratio of heat quantity to storage mass and can therefore store a large amount of heat. In addition, latent heat storage is relatively easy to implement.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of storage heaters?
Storage heaters offer a number of advantages, but also disadvantages that should be considered before purchase and installation.
Advantages
- Improved efficiency: Storage heaters can improve the efficiency of heating systems by storing the heat from the heat source and then releasing it to the consumer. This can lead to a reduction in heating costs.
- Reduced peak load: Heating storage tanks can reduce the peak load of heating systems by distributing the heat from the heat source over a longer period of time. This can lead to a reduction in the load on the heating system.
- Improved comfort: Storage heaters can improve comfort in buildings by ensuring an even heat supply. This can lead to a reduction in room temperatures.
- Extended service life of heating components: Heating storage tanks can extend the service life of heating components by protecting them from overloading.
- Increased operational reliability: Heating storage tanks can increase the operational reliability of heating systems by ensuring an even heat supply.
- Improved environmental compatibility: Storage heaters can improve the environmental compatibility of heating systems by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Disadvantages
- Costs: Heating storage tanks can be an investment. The costs depend on the size and type of storage tank.
- Space requirement: Storage heaters require space, either indoors or outdoors.
- Maintenance: Heating cylinders must be serviced regularly to ensure proper functioning.
- Reduced flexibility: Heating storage tanks can reduce the flexibility of heating systems by limiting the heat supply to the capacity of the storage tank.
- Increased complexity: Heating systems with heating cylinders can be more complex than systems without cylinders.
What needs to be considered when buying a storage heater?
A few things should be considered when purchasing a storage heater.
First of all, the size in liters is very important. It should be adapted to the heating output and the hot water requirement. Secondly, attention must be paid to the insulation of the cylinder. Good insulation ensures that the heat is stored for longer. Thirdly, the materials of the heating cylinder also play a role. They should be corrosion-resistant to ensure a long service life.
Finally, the energy efficiency class of the cylinder should also be taken into consideration. An efficient storage cylinder with the right number of liters can significantly reduce energy costs.
How is a heating storage tank installed?
Proper installation of a heating cylinder is crucial for efficient heat supply and hot water provision in a building. Experts play a decisive role in this. The first step is to select a suitable location for the storage tank, ideally close to the heating source and easily accessible for future maintenance work. This is followed by the professional connection of the storage tank to the existing heating system, which often requires seamless integration into the existing heating system and hot water system. Finally, a thorough check of all connections is carried out to ensure that there are no leaks, preventing the loss of water or heat. Professional installation of a heating storage tank is key to maximizing heating efficiency and reducing operating costs in the long term.
Tips for the efficient use of storage heaters
Heating cylinders such as buffer cylinders could be your best friends if you want your home to be warm and cozy.
The following tips can be observed:
- Choose the right cylinder: The size of the cylinder should be adapted to the heat requirement. If the cylinder is too small, the heating may be switched on and off more frequently, resulting in higher operating costs.
- Pay attention to the insulation: good insulation reduces heat loss from the cylinder and contributes to greater efficiency.
- Set the heating correctly: The heating should be set so that it does not heat up the cylinder too quickly. This can lead to unnecessary heat loss.
- Use renewable energies: Heating storage tanks can facilitate the use of renewable energies such as solar thermal energy or heat pumps.
- Pay attention to maintenance: Heating cylinders should be serviced regularly to ensure efficiency and safety.
Concrete measures you can take to improve the efficiency of your heating storage tank:
- Make sure that the cylinder is set correctly. The cylinder temperature should be set so that the rooms are at a comfortable temperature. If the cylinder temperature is too high, a lot of heat is wasted unnecessarily.
- Reduce the timing of the heating. You can achieve this, for example, by setting the heating times so that they coincide with the consumption peaks.
- Use renewable energies such as NovaAir heat pumps, which heat the cylinder in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way. Pay attention to the maintenance of the cylinder. Maintenance includes cleaning the insulation and checking the seals.
These simple tips will help you to use your storage heater efficiently and reduce your energy costs.
