Seasonal Thermal Stores

Long Term Thermal Storage

A problem experienced with the sizing of virtually all solar thermal installations is the surplus of heat collected in the summer and the shortfall of what is required in the winter.

This can be overcome by storing the surplus heat in one or more forms of “Long Term Thermal Store”.

These stores are very simple in design where we allow the thermal mass of the building and/or the plot to absorb and store heat. Three types are:

Under the footprint of the building or extension
This can be a potentially high temperature store if highly insulated all-round. It would be the first choice of store to dump surplus heat. It is also the first choice to extract heat when there is insufficient solar output as it can reheat the cylinder directly without involving the heatpump.

Within the foundations of the building or extension
This type is subject to suitable ground conditions and temperature limitations. It would be the second choice of location to dump surplus heat.
The ground area of a Ground Source Heatpump
This is the simplest and least restrictive and would be the last choice to dump to.

All three store types can supply heat to the heatpump at a higher temperature than normal ground temperature, therefore causing it to run at a higher efficiency.
They also reduce the amount of ground needed for the GS pipes, thereby enabling a GS HP to be installed where there might otherwise be insufficient space.
The end result being a system where the heatpump might run for maybe only 2-3 months of the year and then at significantly increased efficiency.

The key to successful integration of this type of system is a control system capable of ensuring that heat is deposited in, and taken from, the appropriate store at the appropriate time.

We would be happy to work with your architect to discuss the possibilities and ensure maximum benefit is obtained.