What Is A Thermal Store?

A Thermal Store can replace your hot water cylinder. It contains a heat exchanger which offers a highly energy efficient way of producing hot water. Mains pressure cold water comes into the heat exchanger and mains pressure hot water exits the cylinder. The cylinder is connected to your water heating system (usually a boiler). There is no mixing of the hot water being produced by your boiler system and the fresh water flowing through the tank. In effect this means that the mains pressure hot water coming out of your tap is potable (i.e. drinkable) as it has not been stored for any period of time. Unvented cylinders, installed in most new homes, also provide mains pressure hot water to taps and showers. However these are pressurized cylinders requiring careful maintenance. Thermal Stores do not need building standards approval as do pressurized systems. They can also be built in shapes other than round as the contents are not under pressure which helps if the storage space is limited or unusual in shape.