Re: [OT] Thermal Stores for hot water/heating

[Chris Hunter <cjhunter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

'thermal store is a way of getting mains-pressure hot water at useful
rates of flow, as well as of smoothing or managing heat-demand on the
boiler (essential if all-electric, and very desirable if using a non-
modulating gas boiler) ...

Chris


On 29 May 2007, at 22:28, Jonathan Shaw wrote:

> I read a lot about hot water cylinders before talking to plumbers and
> decided that with underfloor heating + radiators & a condensing
> boiler that a thermal store was the best option as theory is that
> even when heating the house (rather than water) the themal mass of
> the heatstore gives the boiler something to work on and
> prevents/reduces boiler cycling/ inefficiency associated with
> condensing boilers and zoned heating whre only one room may be
> calling for heat.
>
> None of the (getting on for 10) plumbers I have spoken to think this
> is a good idea.  All generally vague reasons that seem to centre
> on "I fit what I know" rather than listening to customer; oh
and the
> annual service for the pressure relief valves needed for unvented
> cylinders, nice litle earner.  One suggested in hardwater areas the
> heat exchanger would calcify, but Googling doesn't seem to back this
> up.  Naturally eh suppliers (Chelmerheating, Nu-heat, Gledhill) all
> deny this is a problem.
>
> Are there any heating engineers on the list that can offer advice?
> Or anyone with a thermal store in a hardwater area?
>
> TIA
> Jon