Buffer storage tank

Buffer storage tank (hot water tank) is an insulated container designed for storing and accumulating heat in hot water.

The basic principle of the buffer storage tank is the use of the high heat capacity of water. For example, to heat one cubic meter of air by 4°C, it is enough to cool 1 liter of water by just 1°C. The high heat storage capacity of water allows heat to be accumulated during its generation and used as needed.

Application

Buffer storage tanks are installed in systems where the peak heat generation does not coincide with the peak heat consumption.

The annual increase in energy prices requires modern heating and hot water systems to make maximum use of alternative energy sources. Since the peaks of heat generation and consumption do not usually coincide in such systems, effective use of alternative sources is impossible without including a buffer storage tank in the system.

Buffer storage tanks have become an integral part of heating systems that use heat from solar collectors, heat pumps, solid fuel boilers, and electric heaters that operate on night rates.

Similar names

Depending on the differences in construction and usage, a hot water tank can have the following names:

• Buffer storage tank
• Buffer tank - a storage tank without a built-in heat exchanger.
• Storage tank - one of the names for a buffer storage tank used in everyday life.
• Storage water heater (accumulation water heater) - a buffer storage tank designed for heating and storing water for hot water systems.
• Cold accumulator - a tank designed for storing cold water for cooling and conditioning systems.

Replacement options

A buffer storage tank can be replaced with a storage water heater. The only fundamental difference between them is that water heaters allow operation with drinking water, while buffer storage tanks do not.