Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Akvaterm accumulator tank?

It is a highly insulated thermal storage vessel ranging in size from 300litres to 5000 litres capacity filled with the primary water of the heating system. Its function is to collect and store heat energy from any source and to allow flexible use of the heat energy directly for space heating or (through internal heat exchangers)* for hot water. Use of an Akvaterm accumulator tank can greatly improve boiler efficiency and enable a smaller size of boiler to be used.

How well insulated is an Akvaterm accumulator tank?

Akvaterm tanks use the best insulation on the market. An AKVA 1000E (1000 ltr) with 100mm polyurethane insulation will give an annual saving of 500 kwh heat energy with a temperature differential of 55 deg C over a1000 ltr tank insulated with 100mm of rockwool and an annual saving of 1800 kwh over the same 1000 ltr tank insulated with only 50mm rockwool.

Can an Akvaterm tank be used for renewable energy technologies?

Yes, an Akvaterm tank is the answer for all micro-generation renewables. Solar, wind, biomass or heat pump sources of energy can all be connected to the thermal store and if the energy is not needed at the time of generation it can be stored for later use.

• Heat from the mid-day sun can be stored for use in the cool of the evening.

• Electrical energy generated from the wind or solar PVs can be stored as hot water.

• Logs or other biomass can be burned efficiently at high temperature providing heat long after the boiler has gone out.

• Heat pumps can be run on low cost night rate electricity, storing the energy for use during the day.

How are all these energy sources connected to the accumulator tank?

• Solar and heat pump hot water is passed through a heat exchange coil at the base of the tank.

• Electrical inputs are through high quality Incoloy heating elements.

• Biomass or other high temperature boilers are connected directly to the tank.

How is domestic hot water supplied from a primary thermal store? 

Akvaterm accumulator tanks can be fitted with copper heat exchange coils ranging from 35litre/min to 200 litres/min for all your hot water needs. These coils need to be supplied from a mains water supply on an unvented domestic hot water system. Keeping the top 1/3 of a large Akvaterm tank heated during the summer months to supply domestic hot water through a coil results in a saving of as much as 80% of the heat that would be lost from a conventional hot water cylinder with 40mm polyurethane insulation.