EcoTherm Thermal Stores: Flexible & Efficient Hot Water

The World Heat Cylinders EcoTherm Thermal Store range offers a highly versatile and efficient method for providing mains pressure hot water. Crucially, these units combine the safety inherent in a traditional open-vented storage system with the high flow rates and performance typically associated with unvented cylinders. Furthermore, we design our EcoTherm units for straightforward installation and can supply them complete with all necessary components.

We manufacture EcoTherm thermal stores from durable mild steel or high-grade stainless steel; therefore, they are built to last. Additionally, they provide an excellent response to heating demands and serve as a central 'heat battery' for your home.

An EcoTherm thermal store primarily heats a body of water directly from one or more heat sources (such as a boiler, solar thermal, or heat pump). This stored water, however, is not the water that comes out of your taps. Instead, when you require hot water, mains cold water passes through a high-efficiency internal heat exchanger (or an external plate heat exchanger). This process, subsequently, instantaneously heats the mains water, delivering it at pressure to your outlets.

Key advantages of this design include, for example:

• Mains Pressure Hot Water: You can enjoy powerful showers and fast-filling baths, similar to an unvented system.
• Open-Vented Safety: The main body of the thermal store itself is open-vented (connected to a feed and expansion tank). This, therefore, eliminates many of the safety device requirements and risks associated with pressurised unvented cylinders.
• No Annual Service Requirement (for the store itself): Unlike unvented cylinders, thermal stores typically do not require an annual safety check specific to the pressure vessel, potentially saving on maintenance costs.
• No Stored Potable Hot Water: The system heats domestic hot water on demand, so potable water isn't held in the store where it could stagnate. This design feature can help a risk-assessed Legionella control regime; it doesn't replace one.

One of the primary strengths of our EcoTherm thermal store range is its ability to integrate multiple heat sources. This, consequently, makes them an ideal choice for energy-conscious homeowners looking to maximise the use of renewable technologies or combine different heating methods. For example, World Heat Cylinders can assist in designing thermal store systems that effectively utilise inputs from:

• Conventional gas or oil boilers
• Biomass boilers or wood-burning stoves (with appropriate safety controls)
• Solar thermal panels (via dedicated solar coil)
• Air source or ground source heat pumps (which often require a larger coil or specific design considerations)

We achieve this flexibility through options such as multiple internal coils for indirect heating from various sources, or connections for external plate heat exchangers for instantaneous domestic hot water generation. Ultimately, this ensures our customers can always achieve maximum efficiency by prioritising the most cost-effective or environmentally friendly heat source available at any given time.

As with all WH Cylinder products, we can manufacture EcoTherm thermal stores to meet the precise requirements of your specification. In fact, our technical team is available for more information on bespoke designs, including specific sizes, coil configurations, and connection orientations.

We construct all our thermal stores from high-quality mild steel or stainless steel (depending on customer preference and application). Furthermore, we insulate them with high-density polyurethane foam to minimise heat loss and comply with relevant energy efficiency standards.

To determine the ideal EcoTherm Thermal Store for your domestic hot water and heating requirements, or to discuss a bespoke design, please contact our expert team. Indeed, we can provide detailed advice, sizing assistance, and competitive quotations.

Once you have reviewed these key documents, should any questions arise regarding our comprehensive Terms and Conditions of Sale or Privacy Policy, please don't hesitate to contact us for further clarification. Therefore, call us today on 0161 343 8610, email sales@whcylinders.co.uk, or request further information via our contact page.

Thermal store units offer diverse functions and capabilities. Generally, they play a crucial role in various renewable heating systems within domestic settings. Their primary function is to store excess heat generated by the system. This stored heat is then available when needed. Thermal stores work effectively with many renewable heating technologies. These include solar thermal systems, wind energy water heating, heat pumps, and wood-fuelled biomass boilers. Furthermore, they can store energy from single or multiple sources. It is also possible to integrate thermal stores (opens in a new tab) into conventional heating systems that use boilers or immersion heaters.

What are the advantages of including a thermal store in your heating system? Primarily, when a thermal store 'collects' renewable heat, this energy can provide hot water, heating, or both at a later time. The specific use depends on the chosen unit type and its designed compatibility with the heating technology. For instance, if you have solar heating panels, they collect the sun’s energy during the day. You can then use the stored heat to produce hot water at night, even when no solar energy (opens in a new tab) is available.

Additionally, a thermal store heating system maximises the efficiency of wood-fuelled renewable heating systems, such as log burners. These systems operate much better when running at their highest output, rather than at a low constant level. A significant advantage of thermal stores is their ability to achieve this high-output operation without simultaneously overheating the room (opens in a new tab) or house. This ensures both optimal performance and comfortable living conditions.

Consequently, a household can reduce its reliance on expensive fossil fuels. This approach saves money and promotes more environmentally friendly operation. Importantly, you will not be left without heat or hot water. This reliability stems from the fact that thermal stores typically feature a back-up heating capability. This secondary source often includes an electric immersion heater or a conventional boiler.

A wide range of thermal stores is available on the market. Your choice will depend on the renewable heating technologies (opens in a new tab) you use and your specific hot water requirements. For example, wood-fuelled heating systems can benefit from a large thermal store with an immersion heater. This setup ensures prompt hot water availability by retaining previously produced energy, so you don't wait long after lighting the boiler or stove. Similarly, integrating a thermal store water heater into a solar water heating system guarantees no energy collected on sunny days goes to waste. The system can even prioritise using solar-generated heat over other sources.