Thermal-Stor uses the natural buoyancy of heated water to efficiently layer the temperatures in the tank, maximizing heat transfer capability of the renewable energy source and hydronic space heating system.   Energy from a solar thermal system or ground source heat pump is transferred to the storage vessel through a spherical heat exchanger.  As renewable energy is added, the stored water follows the laws of physics and stratifies within the tank – as heat is added, the hot water rises to the top and the cooler water settles at the bottom. 

Equipped with connections on the side of the tank, Thermal-Stor allows for a space heating system to be easily integrated with the renewable energy system.  The hot water in the top of the tank permits the space heating system to access the hottest possible water for distribution to the heat emitters.  The cooler water in the bottom of the tank allows for increased collector efficiency and greater opportunity for solar thermal heat generation.

A back-up hydronic heat source, such as a KNIGHT^® Boiler, ensures that the storage vessel is consistently kept at a sufficient temperature to meet hydronic heating demands.  As demand for space heating is initialized, Thermal-Stor acts as a hydraulic separator, decoupling the system demands from the boiler output.  This allows for extended boiler runtime, eliminating short cycling of the boiler and constant temperature delivery to the heating system.

This unique design provides a cost-effective solution for integrating a renewable resource such as solar thermal or ground source energy into a hydronic space heating system. Thermal-Stor is available in nine models ranging from 125 to 900 gallon capacities.  For more information, visit www.Lochinvar.com.