All About Thermal Store Water Heaters: Your Questions Answered

6 Mar 2022

When it comes to water heaters, chances are that you know about vented and unvented cylinders. Vented cylinders have been used for a very long time, and unvented cylinders have become popular in recent years. However, there is a third type – thermal store water heaters – and they’re completely different. In this post, we’ll explore what you need to know about thermal store water heaters and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

What Is a Thermal Store Water Heater?

Simply put, a thermal store water heater is a vented cylinder that does not directly deliver hot water from the cylinder to the taps in your home. With vented and unvented systems, the cylinder must first fill with water and then heat up. The water is then sent from the cylinder to the taps in your home.

With a thermal store water heater, the process is different. The water in the cylinder is heated, but that is only used to deliver heat to a heat exchanger (or more than one heat exchanger). Cold water from the mains passes over the exchanger and warms up, then is delivered to the tap.

Do Thermal Store Water Heaters Run Out of Hot Water?

Who hasn’t tried to run the dishwasher and shower at the same time only to run out of hot water midway? With a thermal store water heater, you don’t have to worry about that. In fact, you will never run out of hot water, even if you run a bath and the dishwasher at the same time.

Where Does the Heat Come From?

Thermal store water heaters usually get their heat from the same source as vented and unvented cylinders – electricity. You can connect the mains power, but you can also supplement that with wind and solar. With the right system, you can even connect to wood-burning furnaces. In addition, you can connect more than one heat source at a time to ensure you always have hot water and that you’re able to reduce your energy consumption (and save money by switching power sources when its most opportune).

Is a Thermal Store Water Heater Suitable If I Have High Mains Water Pressure?

Yes, you can use a thermal store water heater if you have high mains pressure. In fact, these water heaters can operate at up to 6 bar continuously. However, if you want more peace of mind, you can install a pressure reducing valve that will cut the pressure down to 3.5 bar.

What about Lime Scale in the Heat Exchanger?

While it is possible for lime scale to build up in a heat exchanger, it is not common. This is because of the high flow rate through the exchanger, which helps to limit the development of lime scale and keep the exchanger working well.

Interested in a thermal store water heater? Contact us at EasyFlow to discuss your options. Thermal store water heaters offer many benefits and may be a suitable alternative to an unvented cylinder, particularly if you need to install the water heater in an interior room without access to an exterior wall for the drainpipe.

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